She left a career at the World Bank to head the 10-year-old group, which operates in 40 countries with some 50 independent affiliates.

With all these difficulties, PBS and its very independent affiliates still offer some of the best shows around.

Most pill makers, like Eye Five, sell their products indirectly, through thousands of independent affiliates, a technique pioneered online by Amazon.com.

Planned Parenthood's nearly 1,000 clinics nationwide are run by 168 independent affiliates that control which services they offer.

But the independent affiliates in California, Indiana, Ohio and other states are deeply involved in profit-making activities.

The organization is working through its independent local affiliates, which function like franchises and which have tended to build a dozen houses a year each.

It is common in countries where broadcast programming is scheduled by television networks with local independent affiliates, particularly in the United States.

Elwyn California, independent affiliate, established in 1974.

Israel Elwyn, independent, former affiliate, established in 1984.

Instead, they have proposed that banks be able to conduct such activities through an independent affiliate.