Each member is an Element of Organization

Following to the articles of an accociation of the organization, the supreme deliberative organ is the General Assembly composed of the regular members, being held once a year and an each member has right to attend and to vote. The General Assembly may elect the representative members of the a board of directors, treasurer, and councilors . It may make a decision and approve the most important subjects such as a budget, settlements of accounts and planning of activities. Following its decision, the Chair, the board of directors and secretariat may accomplish the activity of SHAPLA NEER. The General Assembly meets once a year in regular session, therefore the coucil carries out daily tasks including planning. This council is composed of nearly 15 to 30 members, held twice a year, in which the members of the board of directors is elected alternately and to meet every month.

In Tokyo office, 13 Japanese staffs are carrying out the daily activities with support of many volunteers in all over the country.

Membership fee & Contribution are Essential Resources

How is it provided for the necessary fund to manage the organization? Wherever it is, overseas or domestic, a large amounts of cost be needed to provide for the activity of SHAPLA NEER. In fiscal 2000, it is appropriated over two hundreds and twenty million yen in the budget for expenses. At present, the financial resources of SHAPLA NEER and its ratio are in the figures as shown below: the membership fee 15%, general contributions 17%, private subsidies 9%, government subsidies 4%, a deposit of international volunteer 5%, an income from sales of handicraft 49%. As the name of this organization implies, SHAPLA NEER is trying to be dependent as less as possible on the subsidies from government or specific groups. Therefore, from the financial point of view, it may be desirable and essential to have the highest income ratio of the membership fee, so as to rely on once a year constantly and continuously. To further promote the international cooperation by the citizens, SHAPLA NEER aims at the achievement of more sufficient amount of income mainly from the membership fee and general contributions, in order to take a flexible course of action, which may help for people of the developing countries in the world.

Local Supporters' Group
There are local supporters' groups in 32 places in Japan, as of March 2002. They consist of the members of SHAPLA NEER and those who are interested in overseas cooperation. They plan handicraft sale and invite guests from foreign countries. If you find a local supporters' groups near your home from following list, please do not hesitate to contact it.