Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers

GUIDELINES ON THE
FORMATION OF
CONSUMER
ORGANIZATIONS

Series of 2013
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers

WHAT IS A CONSUMER ORGANIZATION?

A Consumer Organization is an organized group of

consumers where membership is voluntary and whose
primary objective is to protect consumers against
deceptive, unfair and unconscionable trade acts and
practices and other acts or omissions prejudicial or
detrimental to the interests of consumers.
Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers

INDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL
CONSUMER ORGANIZATIONS
◊ Spot potential consumer organizations by conducting
environmental scanning
◊ Tap existing groups, not necessarily consumer groups, who can
carry consumer-related activities (i.e. Knights of Columbus,
Rotary Club, Lions, PTA, etc.)
◊ If there is Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in the area, it
can be utilized through the Allied sector which includes a
consumer representative.
◊ The consumer representative should be a member of an
organized consumer group or he should be able to organize and
lead a consumer group. Otherwise, he cannot presume to
represent the Consumer Sector.
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
Identification…continuation…page 2

◊ Establish contacts with housewives, members of religious

and civic organizations and be aware of their problems
and needs as consumers.
◊ List down possible members. Take not of time constraints,
age, sense of commitment, etc. Give preference to task-
oriented rather than the primarily social group.
◊ Classify groups according to their interests, occupation,
etc. A group with common interest performs better than
those with varied objectives.
◊ Call the group to a meeting and trigger the idea of
organizing. Develop a strategy and be aware of behavioral
differences. Start by letting them feel the need to organize
as answer to their needs.
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
Identification…continuation…page 2

◊ Provide teamwork exercises preparatory to organizational

meetings. Conduct team buildings and leadership
activities and help identify possible leaders.
◊ Sustain group participation by identifying projects that
should keep the group going.
◊ Organize resources – manpower, materials and funds.
Draw up a list of what are available, what are needed and
where these can be found.
◊ When ready, conduct organizational meeting and elect key
officers.
◊ Assist in the formulation of Constitution and By-Laws.
Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers

REVITALIZE INACTIVE CONSUMER

ORGANIZATIONS

◊ Get in touch with leaders of groups

previously organized.
◊ Conduct dialogues and diagnose needs,
problems and determine possibility of
revival given technical support from DTI.
Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers

CONDUCT MAINTENANCE AND

STRENGTHENING EXERCISES FOR
THE NEWLY CREATED AND
REVITALIZED GROUPS
◊ Make available information and education materials
like brochures, manuals, videos, posters, etc.
◊ Render consultancy services particularly on
program planning project, feasibility study
preparation, finance sourcing, and other
management consultancy services.
Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers

FORMATION OF LINKAGES
◊ Arrange meeting with officers of existing consumer
groups
◊ Stress the need to combine resources to pursue a
common goal
◊ Present proposal for unification of municipal/provincial
association
◊ Clarify the goals and tasks to be done
◊ Conduct organizational meeting and elect officers
◊ Discuss organizations structure and draw up by-laws
◊ Document the agreements, action plans, results,
timetable
Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers

ACTIVITIES THAT MAY BE UNDERTAKEN

BY CONSUMER GROUPS
◊ Recommend plans, programs and policies to
minimize, if not eliminate, trade malpractices;
◊ Make a stand against the threats on the rights,
protection and welfare of consumers;
◊ Serve as a medium through which the DTI can
carry out its CEI campaign;
◊ Disseminate plans, programs and projects of the
DTI on consumer protection;
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
Activities…continuation…page 2

ACTIVITIES THAT MAY BE UNDERTAKEN

BY CONSUMER GROUPS
◊ Coordinate with appropriate government
agencies for the implementation of standards of
quality, safety and health;
◊ Participate actively in the legislation, monitoring
and enforcement of policies and programs on
consumer protection; and
◊ Provide a continuing forum to address consumer
related issues and concerns.
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
Activities…continuation…page 2

SUPPORTIVE ACTIVITIES THAT SHOULD

BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE DTI
◊ Ensure implementation of the by-laws, especially
on the holding of regular meetings;
◊ Require regular submission of minutes;
◊ Arrange feedback meetings with key officers;
◊ Inquire about accomplishments as against
objectives and problems encountered; and
◊ Collaboratively explore ways of solving problems.
Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers

BUDGETARY ALLOCATION
◊ Transportation Allowance
◊ Supplies
◊ Registration Fees
◊ Communication Fees
◊ Food
◊ Rental of Facilities
◊ Other Allowances for Unexpected Expenses
 Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers
MEMBERSHIP FORM
MEMBERSHIP FORM
(Individual)
Date: _______________________________

1. Name : ___________________________________

2. Address : ___________________________________

3. Name of CO : ___________________________________

4. Date of Membership : ___________________________________

5. Designation (Officer or Member) : ___________________________________

6. Civil Status : ___________________________________

7. Age : ___________________________________

8. Sex : ___________________________________

9. Educational Attainment : ___________________________________

10. Occupation : ___________________________________

Enabling Business,
Empowering Consumers