Self-learning material for SHGs and SHG Federations

Self-learning material for SHGs and SHG Federations

The focus of SOC is on building capacities of SHG leaders and members – in bookkeeping & auditing, internal controls, norms, & standards etc. As part of it, APMAS is developing several training modules and learning material to disseminate information of practical use to SHG members and also the practitioners. The set of 18 publications (in Telugu, English, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati & Bengali) is a part of that effort

Purpose of the Modules

The purpose of these modules is to facilitate the SHG members and SHG Federation Board members equip with necessary understanding and orientation so that they can play their role effectively and lead their institutions into vibrant entities benefiting their members. These materials server the purpose of self-learning material for SHG members and SHG Federation Board members

The focus of the self-learning material

The focus of the material is on building capacities of leaders and members in the following key aspects to achieve the Self-Regulation objectives. It

• Helps the SHG movement arrive at desired performance standards and work towards achieving these
• Broadens member understanding of savings, not just as collateral for external loans, but as an ever growing personal asset and risk mitigation mechanism – thereby resulting in ever increasing own funds in the movement
• Broadens member understanding of loans, so that loans are used for personal growth – thereby encouraging effective use of own funds and growing business in the movement
• Trains women from among members in bookkeeping, rating and auditing and as trainers on several subjects and skills
• Helps trained women bring books of accounts up to date, and helps ensure that they are then well maintained
• Helps ensure that books are audited regularly by trained women, even at the SHG level
• Helps ensure payment of interest on savings at every level and helps prevent withdrawal and distribution of own funds
• Encourages the Boards to fill every staff position arising in the movement by well trained women members
• Ensures that members and Boards/committees at various levels understand financial statements, financial management and that they review the functioning of their respective organisations (the SHG, SHG federations), not just from a social point of view, or from external loans point of view, but also from the point of view of the organisation’s own growth
• Helps ensure that elections are conducted in an open and transparent manner so that members can elect the most prudent and not necessarily, the most vocal or smart, to assume responsibility for the running of the organisation