The Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations (Coalition) is incorporated in New York as a nonprofit corporation. The Coalition office in New York serves as the headquarters for the Coalition, and offers the following guidelines for chapters that may be established in other countries.
Coalition Chapters must use the name Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations.
Coalition Chapters must promote the mission statement of the Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations, as follows: The purpose of the Corporation is to promote dialogue and mutual respect among faith-based organizations and believers from the world’s religions, applying shared spiritual ideals and principles in service to crime prevention and criminal justice.
Coalition Chapters may be set up and registered in other countries or regions. While legally independent, these chapters are expected to comply with the guidelines and policies established by the Coalition’s Headquarters Office.
Coalition Chapters primarily facilitate occasions for respectful dialogue and cooperation among representatives of faith-based organizations, experts in various fields, and institutions that share overlapping goals and objectives related to crime prevention and criminal justice.
Coalition Chapters focus on broad areas of concern such as proper care and re-entry of incarcerated persons, crime prevention, restorative justice, social justice, international organized crime, environmental justice.
Coalition Chapter programs should highlight successful practical examples of faith-based contributions to crime prevention and criminal justice; with this in mind, chapters may hold conferences and workshops, publish documents, and convene constructive consultations with governmental authorities and other non-governmental organizations.
Coalition Chapters should support the mission and work of the United Nations, particularly the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.
Coalition Chapters may identify religious texts that, in principle, affirm and complement the United Nations Standards and Norms for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, as well as other international legal instruments.
Coalition Chapters should seek to disseminate relevant UN Declarations, Conventions, Resolutions, and Documents pertaining to topics such as Crime Prevention, Juvenile Justice, treatment of prisoners, rehabilitation of offenders, policing standards, independence of the judiciary, corruption, organized crime, human trafficking, femicide, and terrorism.
Coalition Chapters are not themselves religious bodies, but rather serve as a forum for faith-based organizations to dialogue together in an environment of openness and mutual respect.
Coalition Chapters that wish to produce statements that comment on current events or that advocate particular policies should seek guidance from the headquarters.
Coalition Chapters are respectful of the wide spectrum of religious and spiritual worldviews that characterize humanity, and are to avoid insensitive or disrespectful language or statements.
Coalition Chapters may set up their own Board of Directors, following the pattern established by the Coalition’s Headquarters.
Coalition Chapters may set up a Steering Committee as an advisory body consisting of both religious leaders and experts in relevant fields.
Coalition Chapters may set up an Interfaith Advisory Council consisting of religious and spiritual leaders from diverse faiths.
Coalition Chapters may set up their own administration, communications and program offices.
Coalition Chapters should follow branding practices (name, logo, website, etc.) set by the headquarters office.
Coalition Chapters are each self-sustaining.
Coalition Chapters are expected to submit reports on their programs to be posted on the Coalition’s primary website.