NGO is an abbreviation for non-government organization. Try to look around, in the City of Baguio alone, you will notice organized and established non-organizations that existed for decades now and some of them were just formed a few years ago are really doing lots of programs and activities. Non-government organizations (NGOs) mean different things to different people. However, NGOs have in common characteristics:
* Do not represent government interests.
* Are not organized, owned and operated by government.
* Are not organized owned, and operated jointly by private investors whose interest is to take profit for themselves.
* Its agenda are not set and are not implemented by government.
NGOs can represent many different interests and kinds of projects. In some countries like the US they are called NON-PROFIT CORPRATIONS: These NGOs can be charitable organizations, churches, political groups, marginalized sector, youth and women’s sector, colleges, museums, credit cooperatives, sports clubs and membership groups.
NGOs vary in their methods. Some act as lobbyists, while others conduct programs and activities primarily. Non-governmental organizations need healthy relationships with the public to meet their goals. Foundations and charities use sophisticated public relations campaigns to raise funds and employ standard lobbying techniques with governments.
Interest groups may be of political importance because of their ability to influence social and political outcomes.
Some NGOs do not have very high goals like some sports organizations but NGOs have become equated with groups that provide a special SERVICE to the community like education, assistance for the poor, voluntary assistance, humanitarian relief, business, primary health care, environmental protection and cultural development.
However, what all NGOs have in common is that any excess income over expenses called PROFIT is returned to the NGO for expansion of their ON-GOING programs and activities, rather than profits going into the hands of individuals.
Well, for those who are volunteers and paid staff of your respective organizations, think of your NGOs like any business enterprise. We will use the terms, firm, corporation, NGO, organization interchangeably, though there are minor accounting differences. And in NGO we are also talking about excellence in managing businesses.