Proposal to reorganize association organizations in a streamlined manner

On the morning of September 17, the inspection delegation of the Ministry of Home Affairs led by Mr. Ta Xuan Tieu - Deputy Director of the Department of Organization, Personnel and Non-Governmental Organizations, Ministry of Home Affairs, had a meeting with the People's Committee of Nghe An province on the compliance with the law on associations, social funds, and charity funds in the province. Photo: Thanh Le

Nghe An has 477 association organizations.

In the past 5 years, the whole province has had 477 associations, of which 15 are specialized associations with activities in the province recognized by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; 14 associations were assigned staff, with a staff of 93 people.

In the province, there are currently 7 social funds and charity funds established according to regulations. There is 1 fund operating nationwide with a branch in Nghe An (Elderly Charity Fund). 480/480 communes, wards and towns have Elderly Care Funds; 10 districts have Agent Orange Victims Funds.

Comrade Ta Xuan Tieu - Deputy Director of the Department of Organization and Non-Governmental Organizations, Ministry of Home Affairs spoke at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Le

Financial support for mass organizations in general and for special organizations in particular is provided in accordance with State regulations and provincial guidelines. In addition, every year, People's Committees at all levels balance and support a portion of the operating costs for the organizations.

Regarding operating expenses, in the first 8 months of 2019, the total state budget support for associations in the province was over 42.4 billion VND. Of which, the provincial budget was over 25.1 billion VND; the district budget was over 15.7 billion VND.

In recent times, the associations have actively propagated the Party's policies and guidelines and the State's laws; participated in social consultation, criticism and appraisal; and participated in the province's socio-economic development program.

Fund organizations have raised and received funding from organizations and individuals to serve fund activities.

Narrow down the leads

According to the Nghe An Department of Home Affairs, the number of associations established in the province is large, but the activities of some associations are still limited. Some associations are not really proactive, still confused in setting out key programs, and their activities are not effective.

Representatives of the Department of Home Affairs reported on compliance with the law on associations, social funds, and charity funds in the province. Photo: Thanh Le

Some associations have not properly implemented the principles of voluntariness, self-management, and self-financing; they still have the mindset of waiting and relying on the State's support, and tend to administrativeize; they have not done a good job of collecting membership fees, raising funds for activities, and mobilizing financial resources; some associations' internal leaders have lost unity, leading to prolonged complaints... Some funds do not operate in accordance with financial principles as prescribed.

At the meeting, Nghe An province requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to soon submit to the Government regulations amending and supplementing a number of regulations on organization, operation and management of associations; and provide guidance on the arrangement of association organizations, especially associations with specific characteristics, to unify association organizations in localities in the direction of reducing organizational focal points.

Nghe An also proposed to strengthen State management of associations more closely; arrange and merge mass associations with similar nature, functions and tasks; dissolve ineffective associations and those with congresses exceeding the prescribed time to improve the quality of activities of mass associations.

The Provincial Red Cross Society gives bicycles to poor students in Tuong Duong. Photo: Thu Huong

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Head of the Department of Organization, Personnel and Non-Governmental Organizations, Ministry of Home Affairs Ta Xuan Tieu acknowledged and highly appreciated the compliance with the law on associations, social funds and charity funds in the province.

The inspection team of the Ministry of Home Affairs suggested that the province should strengthen coordination with all levels and sectors in State management of the organization and operation of associations; innovate the content and form of activities of associations in a practical direction; inspect and supervise the activities of association organizations...

Regarding the province's recommendations, the inspection team will synthesize and report recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs to develop legal documents to provide unified guidance on the activities of associations nationwide.