UNIT 1
What is a Group?
General Objectives
After studying this Unit, you should be able to help participants in your
training session to identify and describe the characteristics of groups.
Specific Objectives
This Training Unit will help you to enable trainees to:
• describe the characteristics of a group;
• list the deliverables of a group;
• discuss the role of group members; and
• describe basic requirements for sustainable groups.
Planning
Time : 4 hours
Training Methodology : Skit presentation and group discussion
Training Materials : Charts
Trainer’s Preparation : Going through background material,
preparing charts
Background Material
Introduction
Poor women are in many ways invisible in their individual existence.
Their views do not appear on development records. They rarely deal
with banks, school authorities, public servants or business transactions.
Therefore, to enter into the mainstream of economic development, they
need to get organized into groups. It has been seen that poor women
feel more confident by being in a group. Working together as a member
of a group on common problems is often more effective than working
alone. The risks can be shared especially in economic activities. So
the collective approach is the key to success. It is necessary to
understand the nature of a group, deliverables of groups, roles and
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Group Processes and responsibilities of group members and basic requirements of a
Participatory Decision Making
sustainable group before we begin a detailed analysis of self-help
groups.
What is a Group?
A group is not a collection of people who come together for sometime
e.g. people gathering at a marketplace. In such cases they have not
collectively decided to do anything together. A collection of people can
be called a group if:
• the members come together to work for a common and shared
purpose;
• there is a framework or boundary in terms of time and space;
• there is a definable group membership which is relatively stable;
• there is interaction and interdependence between the members;
• the members who come together have a common interest ;
• the members meet at regular intervals;
• the members have a common understanding of their reasons for
meeting and of themselves as members;
• a group consciousness or a conscious identification with each other;
• the ability to act together as one unit or organism;
• there is a consciousness among members about their roles and
responsibilities;
• there is identified leadership elected or selected by the members.
The group members recognize the leadership and the leaders
recognize their role to “lead”;
• the members take collective action and carry out plans that they
have decided upon;
• the members have decided on some rules and regulations for their
being together and working together. These rules may be formally
written down or may be commonly understood by all members.
A good group allows individuals to transcend their limits of knowledge,
ability and performance. But before this happens the individuals must
first transcend their individual needs and self-interest. In order for this
to happen the individual must possess some basic trust and sense of
security in dealing with other people. At the same time it cannot be
assumed that individuals will sacrifice their self interest automatically
as they become members of the group. Hence, there must be specific
provisions within the group to accommodate individual needs, especially
the need for individual growth and expression.
Thus a number of individuals standing at a bus stop waiting for a bus
would not qualify to be called a group. But if an accident occurs on the
2 road and these individuals begin to act cooperatively, united by a
common concern for the accident victim, they might briefly become a What is a Group?
group.
Deliverables of a Group
Individual poor women gain a feeling of self-confidence by becoming
members of a women’s group that is working on solving their problems.
A group delivers something of considerable value exclusively to poor
households represented by women. The group allows them to participate
and creates conditions that tend to make such participation worthwhile.
So, what are the deliverables of a good group? The important
deliverables are listed here.
• The assetless and poor women members are organized for
transformation through groups.
• The members attend group meetings regularly and take part in
various group activities.
• The members take part in group decision making.
• The group creates responsibility centres through decentralization
of authority.
• The members start trusting each other.
• The members begin to feel self-confidence, gather strength from
the group and understand themselves as respected individuals.
• The members develop the “we” feeling and unity with other
members in the group.
• The members develop awareness of their collective strength.
• The group helps the members to organize themselves within the
fold of some organization to fight against the odds.
Roles of Group Members
Three important roles played by members in most groups have been
identified. These are listed here.
• Some group members tend to set objectives that they would like to
fulfill; collect and use information necessary for doing activities
assigned to them and try to complete the activities assigned to the
group or activities identified by the group. Their focus is always on
finding solutions to the problem or achievement of the task assigned
to the group or its members.
• Some group members’ roles are directed more towards maintaining
group harmony and cohesiveness; encouragement is given,
communications are fostered and conflicts are mediated. They try
to maintain the vitality and functioning of the group.
• Finally, another type of members’ roles is directed toward meeting
their own needs.
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Group Processes and Basic Requirements for Sustainable Groups
Participatory Decision Making
The basic requirements for sustainable groups are as follows:
• Participation of group members;
• Decision-making process;
• Problem-solving;
• Leadership; and
• Conflict resolution
Let us now discuss these requirements in greater detail.
Participation of group members
Participation by members is absolutely essential for the existence of a
group. What will happen if members do not participate? The group, of
course, will cease to exist. However, we all know that levels and degrees
of participation vary. Some members are active participants, others
are more passive. Some are quiet, others are talkative. We also see
the opposite ends of the spectrum like outgoing versus withdrawn
persons. In essence, participation means involvement, concern for the
task, direct or indirect contribution to the group goal. In other words,
participation does not mean just being physically present or speaking
at all meetings. It means listening, absorbing, acting together. We can
see that participation is a fundamental process within a group, because
many of the other processes cannot be sustained without it.
Decision-making process
The decision making pattern within a group is one of the essential
requirements for strength and sustainability of a group. It is generally
found that the decision making within a group takes place in one or
more of the following ways.
i) A decision is suggested by one individual. No one objects to the
suggestion and the decision is adopted. This occurs in a group
where a number of members have equal status or when one
member is much more aggressive or powerful than the others.
ii) A decision is made by the individual who is in a position of authority.
The others find it easier/more convenient to accept the decision
than to reject it.
iii) A decision is made by two individuals working together. One gives
the solution, the other seconds it and the decision is made on behalf
of the group since no one objects.
iv) A decision is made by some members of the group and the rest of
the members accept it.
v) A decision depends upon the number of people adhering to it
through voting.
4 vi) A decision is taken through consensus of all members. In this type
of decision making process:
a) each member gets an opportunity to put forth her views and What is a Group?
influence the decision;
b) decision is taken only after an open discussion; and
c) all the members of the group are prepared to act on the decision
taken.
Problem-Solving
In many cases it is generally found that groups find themselves unable
to solve problems because they address the problem at a superficial
level. After that they find themselves “blocked” because they cannot
figure out why the problem occurred and how they can tackle it.
Therefore, an effective problem-solving procedure requires the following
essential aspects:
• Clarifying the problem;
• Exploring and understanding the causes behind the problem;
• Collecting additional information and analyzing it to understand
the problem further;
• Finding solutions through brainstorming. The members should
suspend criticism and judgment for a while and try to combine each
other’s ideas or add on improvements. Generating as many ideas
and suggestions as possible is very important.
• Choosing the appropriate alternative after considerable discussion
among members to evaluate the various alternative solutions on
the basis of constraints and available resources.
Leadership
Leadership involves focusing the efforts of the people towards a
common goal and enabling them to work together as one. In general
the group chooses one of its members as the leader. The leader may
be selected/elected by members. In most cases it is found that the
leadership of any group is not static, but is performed by different
members at different times. Thus one member may provide leadership
with respect to achieving the goal while a different individual may be
providing leadership in maintaining the group as a cohesive unit.
The leader of a group must assume greater responsibility to be open,
equal and accountable; humble, sensitive and committed. She must
enable the group to identify and analyze issues of vital concern to the
group, and as the group grows, share her leadership with other members
to:
• raise the members’ awareness and motivation;
• increase the readiness of members to accept responsibility;
• develop group work and group morale; and
• convince the group that they can bring about change.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is inevitable in the life of a group. When members with different
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experiences, attitudes and expectations come together in a group,
Group Processes and differences are bound to arise. These differences are sometimes
Participatory Decision Making
suppressed and not openly discussed. Sometimes, the emotions behind
the differences in the two parties make the expression of conflict quite
intense and visible. The important thing to remember is that conflicts
exist in all groups because each member of a group brings different
perceptions, values and knowledge. The greater the differences among
members of a group, the more will be the conflicts.
The differences arising out of information, facts and knowledge are
easy to resolve. Confusion about roles, coordination and responsibilities
can also be sorted out in the group. The most difficult conflicts to resolve
are those arising out of value differences. The most important thing
that can be done in these situations is to understand the real causes
for differences.
Work Plan for Your Training Session
Activity 1
Put up a chart listing group characteristics and deliverables. Form two
to three groups and ask them to go through the characteristics of groups
and group deliverables. Now ask them to prepare a skit (10-15 minutes
duration) highlighting characteristics of groups and also situations when
the people remain a cluster of individuals and do not become a group.
The skit can also illustrate how groups can breakdown with conflict.
Give each group 15 minutes to present their skit.
After each of the groups present their skits, conduct a group discussion.
Recapitulate the main points which have emerged from the skits
presented and also any which may have been left out or need to be
emphasized.
Activity 2
Ask the participants to read the following description of SHGs. Next
ask them to identify any characteristics unique to SHGs as compared
to other groups. Encourage them to add some more (not mentioned).
Self Help Groups: What and Why
(MGA Mallya)
A self help group is an association or group of individuals coming
together for their mutual well-being – economic or otherwise”.
Essentially, SHGs are small groups consisting of 5-20 of members.
Ideally, the group should have 10-15 members who are socially and
economically homogeneous.
Characteristics of SHGs
What are the characteristics of SHGs? We have listed the major
characteristics as follows.
i) They come together for a common purpose.
ii) There is a conscious membership.
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iii) The members meet regularly to exchange ideas and information. What is a Group?
iv) There is identified leadership.
v) The members take collective action and carry out decided upon
plans.
vi) There are some rules and procedures for being together and
working together.
vii) The group members have a common interest.
viii) They have a common understanding.
Activity 3
Ask the participants to explain the following description of SHGs and
their contribution to poverty alleviation.
Contribution of SHGs to Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation
SHGs can be considered as an alternative credit delivery system, as a
strategy for rural development. Ensuring success requires:
• help in identifying the needy;
• help in attaining eligibility for credit;
• assessing the needs, help in post-sanction period;
• involvement in the task of poverty alleviation.
Poverty Alleviation
How do SHGs help in poverty alleviation? They:
• put peer pressure in repayment;
• make intentional default impossible;
• act as a link between government and needy women;
• prove their credit worthiness;
• treat schemes as an input/supplementary input for their
development;
• repay the loan voluntarily;
• avail entrepreneurship schemes;
• mobilize small savings at low cost; and
• make the transaction cost very low.