IPOPI Policy Papers

Criteria for Accreditation as IPOPI National Member Organization

1. IPOPI Criteria for Recognition of a Country

IPOPI recognizes any country that is accepted by either the United Nations or World Health Organization.

2. Criteria for Recognizing Which National Group Should Represent a Country

In general, only one national Organization from a country will be entitled to vote
- If two or more qualifying organizations exist in a country they need to negotiate IPOPI membership between themselves.
- If such agreement cannot be reached, IPOPI Executive committee will assist in the determination of membership by recommending to the General Assembly granting of National Member Organization (NMO) status to the Organization which best satisfies its own criteria.
- The two countries (USA and Germany) which; for historical reasons; currently have two accredited NMOs shall retain that status.

3. Criteria for a National Group to Become an IPOPI Member Organization

The NMO must be the Organization which best represents the interests of people with primary immunodeficiency and their families in that country. This will generally be an organization led by and consisting primarily of people with primary immunodeficiency and their families. The Organization must be committed to the patients and patients must be involved in the Organization.
The goals and aims of an NMO must be similar to, and not in conflict with those of IPOPI.
The NMO must assume responsibilities regarding IPOPI, such as paying an assessment fees by due date to keep their voting status

4. Criteria for a National Group to Become an Associate NMO

Associate NMO status to be granted to countries whose membership or "board of management" is solely, or a majority of, doctors or other health professionals with no involvement by patients.
Associate NMO status may also be granted to countries where the organization is not yet ready to become a fully accredited NMO.
Associate NMO status may also be granted to countries that have met all other criteria for IPOPI NMO accreditation with the exception of being officially recognized as a country by either the United Nations or the World Health Organization.
Associate members will:
- Receive all NMO benefits.
- Have "observer", not voting status.
- Pay reduced IPOPI assessment fees - 50% of full fees.
IPOPI shall, where possible, assist Associate NMOs to reach full NMO status within four years of becoming an Associate NMO.

To apply for national member organization status the following documents must be submitted to IPOPI headquarters:

Copy of your constitution/or Rules of Procedure.
List of Elected Officers.
All application documents should be submitted to IPOPI Headquarters 3 months prior to the next General Assembly in order to be considered for NMO Accreditation.
Complete applications that satisfy all the NMO Accreditation criteria will be submitted to the next IPOPI General Assembly for approval.