GAPOA is an umbrella association: one shared standard of admission — by independently verified contribution — and a separate, self-organised community for each profession.
Admission is free of charge. The admission standard is the same across every community: ten criteria, four must be confirmed by an external examination conducted by the Certification Center.
Each community is self-organised. Members elect their own organisers, set their own agenda, run their own events and forum. The umbrella provides only infrastructure and the admission standard.
There is no staff. Members help members inside a private cabinet. The member roster is not public.
Not a staffed organisation. There is no executive team, no board of advisors, no employees. Every function inside a community is filled by its members.
Not a networking club or a pay-to-join chamber. Membership is by external examination only. There is no referral, no interview, no fee.
Not a public registry. The member list is visible only to members of the same community. Outsiders can verify any individual certificate, but cannot browse the roster.
Not a credential the community issues. The Certificate of Contribution is issued by the Certification Center — an independent body. The community recognises it, but does not control it.