Their roles and influence in the lives of PWDs / families / communities Partners Meet 2007 G....

their roles and their roles and influence in the lives influence in the lives of PWDs / families / of PWDs / families / communitiescommunities

Partners Meet 2007Partners Meet 2007

G. Venkatesa Reddy,G. Venkatesa Reddy,Senior Officer Senior Officer

CBR ForumCBR Forum, , 14, CK Garden, Wheeler Road Extn, Bangalore – 560 08414, CK Garden, Wheeler Road Extn, Bangalore – 560 084Tel. 080-25497387 or 25497388, Tel. 080-25497387 or 25497388, [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

What is a Federation?What is a Federation?

Representatives of 15-20 SHGs come together to form Representatives of 15-20 SHGs come together to form and function as a democratic unit / federation to fulfill / and function as a democratic unit / federation to fulfill / address the joint needs of PWDs / Group of SHGs.address the joint needs of PWDs / Group of SHGs.

It is a forum for regular interaction and networking.It is a forum for regular interaction and networking. It is a forum to sustain efforts made by small groups in It is a forum to sustain efforts made by small groups in

socio-economic development initiatives. socio-economic development initiatives. Needs of SHGs, aspirations, opinions, suggestions, Needs of SHGs, aspirations, opinions, suggestions,

recommendations should be respected. recommendations should be respected. SHGs members are the owners and managers and they SHGs members are the owners and managers and they

should have the decision making power on Federation should have the decision making power on Federation functions / management.functions / management.

Federation should be accountable to SHGs and should Federation should be accountable to SHGs and should function with transparency.function with transparency.

Federation should promote unity, solidarity and Federation should promote unity, solidarity and collective strength.collective strength.

In the context of disability, it is a disabled people’s movement, working to bring about a lasting social change and working for their rightful inclusion in society.

Why are we promoting a federation?Why are we promoting a federation?

To sustain the process of people’s initiative and power.To sustain the process of people’s initiative and power. To promote unity and collective strength.To promote unity and collective strength. To identify and address developmental needs of the SHGs. To identify and address developmental needs of the SHGs. To sustain the efforts in the socio- economic, health, To sustain the efforts in the socio- economic, health,

education and employment realms.education and employment realms. To establish rapport among SHGs.To establish rapport among SHGs. To learn and co-operate with each other.To learn and co-operate with each other. To promote organizational identity, i.e., different from NGOs.To promote organizational identity, i.e., different from NGOs. To influence the govt. and the local community.To influence the govt. and the local community. To promote leadership.To promote leadership. To take the responsibility to improve their own life.To take the responsibility to improve their own life.

Pre-conditions to form Pre-conditions to form a Federationa Federation

Strong SHGs in place.Strong SHGs in place. Should have interest to establish a federation.Should have interest to establish a federation. Records / files are kept in place at SHGs.Records / files are kept in place at SHGs. SHGs should have developed a system of SHGs should have developed a system of

conducting regular review and planning conducting regular review and planning meetings of their activities.meetings of their activities.

SHGs should run effectively for at least one SHGs should run effectively for at least one year.year.

Steps to form FederationSteps to form Federation

Identify the compact / cluster area (it should be 5-7 km).Identify the compact / cluster area (it should be 5-7 km). Conduct common meeting for all the representatives of the SHGs Conduct common meeting for all the representatives of the SHGs

in the above area.in the above area. Discuss whether they would like to form a federation.Discuss whether they would like to form a federation. Sharing of SHG experience – achievements / disappointments.Sharing of SHG experience – achievements / disappointments. Facilitating cross learning or group to group learning / support.Facilitating cross learning or group to group learning / support. Strong representative of SHG should attend the meeting and share Strong representative of SHG should attend the meeting and share

their experience.their experience. Inter group support should be organized at cluster level to help Inter group support should be organized at cluster level to help

sustain newer SHGs.sustain newer SHGs. Initially SHGs will attend federation meetings as observers.Initially SHGs will attend federation meetings as observers. Membership in federationMembership in federation

What should be the size of a federation, and What should be the size of a federation, and at what level should it be formed?at what level should it be formed?

Encourage federations with a membership of not less than Encourage federations with a membership of not less than 10 and not more than 20 SHGs, with a view to ensure 10 and not more than 20 SHGs, with a view to ensure maximum participation of PWDs while keeping the size maximum participation of PWDs while keeping the size and scale of activities manageable.and scale of activities manageable.

If necessary, higher level federations (i.e. federation of If necessary, higher level federations (i.e. federation of federations) could be promoted at a later date. Before this federations) could be promoted at a later date. Before this is done, it should be clearly thought out and the activities is done, it should be clearly thought out and the activities should be well-defined.should be well-defined.

Activities that federation should doActivities that federation should do

Regular review of and reflection on SHG activities.Regular review of and reflection on SHG activities.

Strengthen SHGs through ideas, suggestions, exposure Strengthen SHGs through ideas, suggestions, exposure visits, audits, capacity building / training, etc.visits, audits, capacity building / training, etc.

Collect and disseminate relevant, useful, and interesting Collect and disseminate relevant, useful, and interesting information to SHGsinformation to SHGs

Take up activities of benefit to member SHGs and Take up activities of benefit to member SHGs and communities.communities.

Take up activities that strengthen the federations Take up activities that strengthen the federations themselves.themselves.

Federations should not be encouraged to take on such Federations should not be encouraged to take on such functions that the individual SHGs could perform on their functions that the individual SHGs could perform on their own.own.

What are the key management features of a What are the key management features of a federation ?federation ?

Ensuring continuity Ensuring continuity Federation MeetingFederation Meeting Rules and regulations Rules and regulations Responsibility-sharing Responsibility-sharing Maintain books and documentsMaintain books and documents Appraisal, monitoring, and Appraisal, monitoring, and

evaluationevaluation

What should be the training imparted to What should be the training imparted to federations?federations?

The training would be at two levels:The training would be at two levels: At the SHG level:At the SHG level: At least one training session per SHG for all SHG At least one training session per SHG for all SHG

members on the concept of federations, roles of members on the concept of federations, roles of federations, and their own roles as members. federations, and their own roles as members.

At the federation level:At the federation level: 3-4 training programmes attended by all federation 3-4 training programmes attended by all federation

level representatives on key topics related to the level representatives on key topics related to the

efficient functioning of federations.efficient functioning of federations.

Empowerment of PWDs/ SHGs Empowerment of PWDs/ SHGs through federationthrough federation

Growth in people’s awareness and confidence.Growth in people’s awareness and confidence.

Ability to articulate problems.Ability to articulate problems.

Gaining access to resources and public facilities.Gaining access to resources and public facilities.

Negotiating over relations between different Negotiating over relations between different social groups.social groups.

Empowering SHGs and communities, the Empowering SHGs and communities, the capacities required includecapacities required include::

Capacity to organize in relation to social goals or to bring about Capacity to organize in relation to social goals or to bring about enduring improvements in livelihoods and resistance to economic enduring improvements in livelihoods and resistance to economic vulnerability.vulnerability.

Improving their negotiating skills and inter-personal relations.Improving their negotiating skills and inter-personal relations.

Enabling them to know how to relate with development officials.Enabling them to know how to relate with development officials.

Capacity to change power structures or struggle for greater control Capacity to change power structures or struggle for greater control over resources or decision-making processes.over resources or decision-making processes.

Capacity to organize, change, learn and consolidate.Capacity to organize, change, learn and consolidate.

Should the registration of federation be Should the registration of federation be promoted?promoted?

If federation take initiative on their own If federation take initiative on their own to be registered, they could go ahead to be registered, they could go ahead with it. with it.

The federations will be oriented to follow The federations will be oriented to follow all good practices that are needed of a all good practices that are needed of a registered body, including audits.registered body, including audits.

Requirements for registration of Requirements for registration of federationfederation

Give a name to the federationGive a name to the federation Have an official addressHave an official address Selection of General Body Members and Selection of General Body Members and

Governing Body MembersGoverning Body Members Membership fee charged by the federation Membership fee charged by the federation

from its member SHGs Training for the from its member SHGs Training for the governing body governing body

Approval of the bylawsApproval of the bylaws System to maintain records, accounts etc. System to maintain records, accounts etc.

in placein place

Partner NGOs role in promotion and Partner NGOs role in promotion and development of federationdevelopment of federation

Preparatory Stage:Preparatory Stage:

Discussions at SHG level on federation.Discussions at SHG level on federation.

Training at SHG level on concept and roles of Training at SHG level on concept and roles of federations and their own roles as members.federations and their own roles as members.

Selection of SHG representatives to the federation, Selection of SHG representatives to the federation, and orientation to the selected representatives.and orientation to the selected representatives.


Formation Stage – (0-6M)Formation Stage – (0-6M)

Facilitate framing of vision, Mission, GoalsFacilitate framing of vision, Mission, Goals

Facilitate framing of rules and regulations, Facilitate framing of rules and regulations,

activity plans, and clarify functions, roles activity plans, and clarify functions, roles and responsibilities of federation and and responsibilities of federation and members members


Stabilization Stage – (6 -24M)Stabilization Stage – (6 -24M)Capacity building inputsCapacity building inputsFacilitate processes on manner of Facilitate processes on manner of

operationalizing activity plans in accordance operationalizing activity plans in accordance with Vision and Mission.with Vision and Mission.

Facilitate building linkages with Govt. and Facilitate building linkages with Govt. and other institutions.other institutions.

Facilitate establishment of documentation, Facilitate establishment of documentation, financial management systems, and audits.financial management systems, and audits.


Phasing out Stage – (25-36M)Phasing out Stage – (25-36M)

Continue to attend federation meetings Continue to attend federation meetings periodically and facilitate federation periodically and facilitate federation strengthening processes.strengthening processes.

Introduce system of conducting periodic Introduce system of conducting periodic participatory evaluations.participatory evaluations.


Withdrawal Stage – (36m - above)Withdrawal Stage – (36m - above)

Occasional ‘friendly’ appearances at meetings Occasional ‘friendly’ appearances at meetings and events organized by the federation.and events organized by the federation.

Should a federation Should a federation engage in fund-raising? engage in fund-raising?

For what purpose?For what purpose?

Fund raising can include the following:Fund raising can include the following: Membership fees as a one-time payment from member Membership fees as a one-time payment from member

SHGs.SHGs. Monthly contributions from member SHGs. Monthly contributions from member SHGs. Fines from member SHGs for violations of rules, etc. Fines from member SHGs for violations of rules, etc. Bank interest earned on the account of the federation.Bank interest earned on the account of the federation. Donations from any source. Donations from any source. Contributions from other institutions for programmes Contributions from other institutions for programmes

within the scope of the federation’s objectives.within the scope of the federation’s objectives. Service charges (when the federation’s services are Service charges (when the federation’s services are

used for any work).used for any work). Income earned from any income-generating Income earned from any income-generating

programme taken up by the federation.programme taken up by the federation.

Should a federation Should a federation engage in fund-raising? engage in fund-raising?

For what purpose?For what purpose?

Federations require funds to meet their own Federations require funds to meet their own operating costs. Even with a limited range operating costs. Even with a limited range of activities, they still need money to open a of activities, they still need money to open a bank account, purchase books of accounts, bank account, purchase books of accounts, files, stationery, etc., pay a book-writer, files, stationery, etc., pay a book-writer, host tea for members at federation host tea for members at federation meetings, meet travel expenses, and so on.meetings, meet travel expenses, and so on.

How can a federation establish credibility How can a federation establish credibility and legitimacy?and legitimacy?

Credibility and legitimacy should Credibility and legitimacy should Be established in the eyes of member SHGs Be established in the eyes of member SHGs

and in the communityand in the community

The following factors contribute to this process: The following factors contribute to this process:

attaining the features of an organizationattaining the features of an organization

showing good results in relation to objectives.showing good results in relation to objectives.

building good relations with the Govt. and as building good relations with the Govt. and as many institutions as possible.many institutions as possible.

What to encourage?What to encourage?

Circulation of federation meeting minutes to all Circulation of federation meeting minutes to all member SHGs.member SHGs.

Sharing of responsibility among all member SHGs.Sharing of responsibility among all member SHGs. Periodic audits and sharing of audit findings with Periodic audits and sharing of audit findings with

member SHGs.member SHGs. Planning of all activities with focus on Planning of all activities with focus on Vision,Vision,

MissionMission, and , and GoalsGoals.. Periodic assessment of achievements against Periodic assessment of achievements against

plans.plans. Training programmes to strengthen the federation.Training programmes to strengthen the federation. Regular update all the necessary books, reports, Regular update all the necessary books, reports,

and other documents.and other documents.

What not to encourage?What not to encourage? Use the federation to achieve an outside agenda.Use the federation to achieve an outside agenda. Pay travel costs and food costs for members attending federation Pay travel costs and food costs for members attending federation

meetings. meetings. NGO takes the responsibility for calling federation meetings.NGO takes the responsibility for calling federation meetings. Host federation meetings on NGO premises (our experience shows Host federation meetings on NGO premises (our experience shows

that they will expect us to make all the arrangements including that they will expect us to make all the arrangements including cleaning up after the meeting).cleaning up after the meeting).

NGO gets involved in decision making on behalf of the federation. NGO gets involved in decision making on behalf of the federation. NGO holds or writes the books and documents of the federation.NGO holds or writes the books and documents of the federation. NGO is a signatory to the federation account.NGO is a signatory to the federation account. Pay faculty charges, service fees, etc. directly to federation Pay faculty charges, service fees, etc. directly to federation

members, if they are engaged as resource persons. members, if they are engaged as resource persons. Give subsidies / grants to the federation. Give subsidies / grants to the federation.

Grading criteria for federation of SHGsGrading criteria for federation of SHGs Vision and MissionVision and Mission • Developed by the federation and known to all at the federation as Developed by the federation and known to all at the federation as

well as the member SHG level. well as the member SHG level. Organisational ManagementOrganisational Management • Appropriate size maintained, Regular meetings, regular attendance.Appropriate size maintained, Regular meetings, regular attendance.• Rules and regulations in place, Sharing of responsibilities. Rules and regulations in place, Sharing of responsibilities. Financial managementFinancial management • Bank account , Fund raising, Fund utilisation. Bank account , Fund raising, Fund utilisation. • Book keeping, Auditing, reporting, and follow-up. Book keeping, Auditing, reporting, and follow-up. Organisational accountabilityOrganisational accountability • Rotation of representatives. Rotation of representatives. • Sharing of information. Sharing of information. • Distribution of benefits. Distribution of benefits. Linkages Linkages • Linkages with Govt. and other institutions. Linkages with Govt. and other institutions. Learning and evaluationLearning and evaluation • Regular training programmes.Regular training programmes.• Work reviews and performance appraisals. Work reviews and performance appraisals.

Appraisal, monitoring, and evaluationAppraisal, monitoring, and evaluation

The federation prepares a monthly financial statement The federation prepares a monthly financial statement (MFS). (MFS).

The work of the federation is reviewed at each monthly The work of the federation is reviewed at each monthly meeting.meeting.

An appraisal of performance is done once a year, An appraisal of performance is done once a year, against established targets and indicators.against established targets and indicators.

An annual get-together of all members from all member An annual get-together of all members from all member SHGs where certain basic information on the SHGs where certain basic information on the performance of the federation will be compulsorily performance of the federation will be compulsorily sharedshared..

Empowerment of PWDs through Empowerment of PWDs through federationfederation

All the above to lead to their empowerment!All the above to lead to their empowerment!

Empowering may be understood as Empowering may be understood as ‘Enabling people, especially PWDs, to acquire and possess ‘Enabling people, especially PWDs, to acquire and possess power resources in order to enable them to make power resources in order to enable them to make decisions on their own or resist decisions that are made by decisions on their own or resist decisions that are made by others which affect them.others which affect them.

Thank youThank you

G Venkatesa Reddy, Sr.OfficerG Venkatesa Reddy, Sr.OfficerCBR Forum, 14, C.K.Garden,CBR Forum, 14, C.K.Garden,Wheelers Road Extn., St. Thomas Town Wheelers Road Extn., St. Thomas Town Post, Post, Bangalore – 560 084.Bangalore – 560 084.Phone:080-25497387/25497388 Phone:080-25497387/25497388 Email:[email protected]:[email protected]

Their roles and influence in the lives of PWDs / families / communities Partners Meet 2007 G....

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