Module 4 - W: Women's group (WG) action plan and wrap-up and closing ceremony

Topic 1: Development of the WG action plan

Activity 1: Preparations in the development of the WG action plan

Topic 1: Development of the WG action plan

Activity 2: Development of the WG action plan

Topic 2: Workshop wrap-up and closing

Module 4 - W: Women's group (WG) action plan and wrap-up and closing ceremony

MODULE 4 - W: WOMEN'S GROUP (WG) ACTION PLAN AND WRAP-UP AND CLOSING CEREMONY

VISUAL AIDS AND FORMS

Visual Aid: M4-1	Organizational Development Framework
WU- 1	Programme Overview
WU- 2	Programme Components
Form: M 4 - 1	WG Action Plan

MODULE 4-W: WOMEN'S GROUP (WG) ACTION PLAn AND WRAP- UP AND CLOSING CEREMONY

BACKGROUND/RATIONALE

The Women's Group (WG) Action Plan consolidates all the agreed to Goals and Objectives the group has arrived at. The attitudes, knowledge and skills the women have acquired during this workshop are the underlying foundation. The Action Plan is a concrete and practical step within a given time span to put into motion the actions needed to achieve the goals and objectives the women have arrived at during the workshop. The Group Action Plan is therefore a basis for the Women's Groups to direct their activities in a concrete step by step way right after they leave the workshop. This is therefore not only a learning exercise but a commitment to achieve the goals and objectives the have set for themselves. It is also therefore a basis for assessing their own performance as well as a measure of compliance of the Terms and Conditions they have accepted from Project Management.

The Wrap-Up and Closing Ceremony are important parts of this workshop. These are opportunities for participants to once more take another step to consolidate their gains in self-reliance, as they articulate their feelings about their experiences and what they have learned in this workshop.

OUTPUT OBJECTIVES

By the end of 6 - 7 hours, participants will have:

1. Their Group Action Plan which they would have committed to;

2. Their Organizational Framework which they would have committed to;

3. Participated in a meaningful closing of the workshop;

4. Basic workshop document outputs essential to their organizational functioning.

TOPICS

There are 2 Topics in this Module. These are: Topic 1: Development of the WG Action Plan and Topic 2: Wrap-Up and Closing Ceremonies.

Topic 1: Development of the WG action plan

Activity 1: Preparations in the development of the WG action plan

Time	1. 5 hours
Methodology	Discussion/ Group work/Lecture
Steps

Option

Facilitator should gauge the interest, energy and concentration of the group. If she thinks this Activity should be broken into two Activities, she should do so. For example, she may wish to have a separate activity for the "Organizational Development Framework".

1. Preparation:

Visual Aids and Forms:

Module 1 (posted on the wolf ahead of time)

M1- 9 and 9 -A: Roots, Indications, Consequences of Women's Low Status

M1- 10 and 10-A : Approaches In Raising Women's Status

M 1 - 18: Synthesis of Module I

Module 2 (posted on the wall ahead of time)

M 2 - 8: Group Lending Procedures

A! 2 - 9: Terms and Conditions of the Croup Project Loan

M2 -10: Terms and Conditions of Individual Project Loan

M 2 - 15: Group Goal, Principle and Spirit

M 2 - 17: Group Objectives

M2 -18 or 19: Organizational Structure (as chosen by the group)

M2 - 27: WG Standard Agenda

M2 - 28: Synthesis for Module 2 (marker)

Module 3 (dully filled out be participants during the workshop):

M3 - 1: Marketing Aspects of My Business Plan

2: Production Plan

3: Investment Plan

4: Net Cash Income

Module 4

M`- 1: Organizational Framework for Women* Groups

Form Aid - 1: Action Plan Format

Materials

marker pees; newsprint

Instructions for Facilitator - Review of Perspective and Goals and Objectives (1)

2. Facilitator introduces this Activity by explaining the need of an Action Plan and what it means, by emphasizing the following: (a) right after the workshop the WG will take concrete steps on-matters which they have committed themselves to do in this workshop (b) that since they committed themselves individually and as a group, they would need to agree how they will do this. The Action Plan is a step by step and systematic way of going about these individual and group commitments.

3. Facilitator continues and says that in order to refresh our minds about what we learned and what we have committed ourselves to we review:

Root, Indications and consequences of Women's Low Status

Approaches in Raising Women's Status

4. Facilitator continues and reviews what they participants have already developed.

Goals, Spirit and motto

Objectives

5. This is done slowly by asking questions once in a while whether the group truly (a) understand what they have committed themselves to and (b) whether they still want to make changes. Facilitator emphasizes that the OBJECTIVES are the basis for the details of the WG ACTION PLAN.

Emphasize the various components of the Objectives;

The first essential step right after the workshop is to start the savings mobilization process.

Instructions for Facilitator-Group Savings and Loan and the Project Revolving Fund (2)

6. Facilitator continues and reviews the following:

6.1. Group Lending Procedures

6.2. Terms and Conditions of Group Project Loan

6.3. Terms and Conditions of the Individual Project Loan

In the process of the review, Facilitator revalidates participant understanding on these, and further clarifies if there are misconceptions or misunderstandings.

Instructions for Facilitator - WG Micro-Enterprise Activities (3)

7. Facilitator focuses on the fact that at the end of Module 3, individuals have been able to develop various aspects of their individual Business plans. She tells them that some time after the workshop, the Loans Committee with the help of the Field Workers from the project office, will help their finalize their Application for the Project Revolving Fund.

Instructions for Facilitator - Organization Functioning of the WG (4)

8. Facilitator emphasizes the importance of monthly meetings for each woman to (a) continue to deepen what we have learned in this workshop; (b) to learn from one another; (c) to gain strength from one another to continue our commitments to ourselves and others; (d) to deposit our monthly savings; (e) know things on how our funds are being manage; (f) etc. She emphasizes the need to be systematic in the way the run their meetings and refers to Visual Aid M 2 - 27 WG Standard Agenda.

Instructions for Facilitator - Organizational Development Framework (ODF) (5)

9. Visual Aid M 4 - 1 contains a SAMPLE ODF. Note that this is related to the Objectives which the group has already developed. The Objectives are short term in perspectives. The ODF gives the women a longer term view of what they want to achieve. These are targets of what they would like to achieve in strengthening their organization.

Task Instructions - Organizational Development Framework (ODF)

10. Participants are formed into 3 groups. Their task is to review this SAMPLE ODF and adjust this to their own estimate of their own targets against various indicators. They are given 15 minutes to do this. Then a member in each group, reports to the larger group: The larger group should have a consensus as to the GROUP COMMITMENT ON THIS ODF.

11. Facilitator ends this session by saying that now we are ready to develop our Group Action Plan since we have thoroughly considered important elements to do this.

Visual Aid M 41:

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR WOMEN'S GROUPS

COMPONENT	LEVEL I FORMATION	LEVEL II CONSOLIDATION	LEVEL III INSTITUTIONALIZATION
DURATION	3-6 MONTHS	1 YEAR	1-2 YEARS
Group Management	- Clear goals and objectives	- Clear goals and objectives	- Clear goals and objectives
	- functioning officers/members (90%/80%)	- Functioning officers/members(90%/80%)	- Functioning officers/members (100%/95%)
	- One meeting per month	- One meeting per month	- 24 meetings in a year
	- Minutes of Meetings	- Minutes of Meetings	- Minutes of Meetings
	- Attendance at meeting (90%)	- Attendance e at meeting (95%)	- Attendance at meeting (100%)
	- Membership -25 individuals	- Membership - 30 individuals	- Membership - 40 individuals
	- Presence policies and procedures for 6 mo	- Updated policies and procedure	- Revised/improved policies
	- Action plan	- Updated Action plan	- Updated Action plan
	- Records system	- Quality record system	- Quality record system
Savings Mobilization and Credit system	- Presence of a written savings and credit policies and procedures	- Updated savings and credit policies and procedure	- Revised/Improved savings and credit policies and procedures
	- Weekly or monthly savings (as agreed)	- Continue monthly savings	- Increase the savings among members
	- 100% of members are savings	- 100% of members are savings	- 100% of members are savings
	- Presence of a simple records system	- Have a good and accurate financial reports	- Complete financial and record system
	- 100% credit repayment rate	-10.0% credit repayment rate	-100% credit repayment rate
	- Have a bank book	- Increase on bank book in a small amount	- Increase on bank book in large amount
Enterprise Development	- Trained members with knowledge and skills enterprise management, finance marketing, e	- 100% of members undertaking two kinds of enterprise or business or expand business	-100% of members undertaking enterprise or business; Expanded business
	- Individuals undertaking enterprise or busine	- WG increase the credit loan and benefit fro	- WG increase the credit loan for members
		- At least 70% of members increase income o 20% - 40%	- At least 80% of members increase income of 40%
		- Some members can keep records	-100% d members do record keeping
		-100% credit repayment rate	-100% repayment
			- Bank ban, one time per month
Family Life Planning	- 80% of women trained in reproductive health related matters	- 90% of women trainee in reproductive health related matters	- 100% of women trained in reproductive health related matters
	- 20% of members have written commitment to have two children only	- 40% of members have written commitment to have two children only	- 60% of members have written commitment to have two children only
	- Village station clinic functioning for members and whole village	- Village station clinic functioning	- Village station clinic functioning
		- 80% of member's children go to school	- 90% of member's children go to school
	- Yearly check up for mothers and children	- Motive another member of family	- Trained most of family on another village
			- Increase 30% on welfare fund
	- 30% of children in kindergarten	- 40%-50% of children in kindergarten	- 50%-60% of children in kindergarten
	- 80% of children in primary school	- 80% of children in primary school	- 90% of children in primary school
	- 65% of children in middle school	- 70% of children in middle school	- 80% of children in middle school
	- 50% girl child in school	- 70% girl child in school	-100% girl child in school
Functional Literacy	- Classroom designated for functional literacy	- 90% of members attend the classes	- 100% of illiterates attend the classes
	- 80% of illiterates attend the classes	- 50% or members get a qualified certificate	- 85% of members get a qualifying certificate
	- Organized members helping illiterates	- Organized members helping illiterates	- Organized members helping illiterates
Folk Media	- WG organize 2 folk media performance in a year	- WG organize 4 folk media performance in a year	- WG organize 8 folk media performances in a year
	- There is 400 audience	- There is 800 audience	- There is 1500 audience
		- Build a performance team in project villa	- Performance by themselves
		- Have performance in the village	- Have performance in another village
	- Women status messages incorporated	- Women status messages incorporated	- Women status messages incorporated
Activity Center	- Have activity center for members	- Have activity center for members and others invited	- Have activity center for members and others invited
Other village Development Activities	- 1 project for the village	- 2-3 projects for the village	- 45 projects for the village

Topic 1: Development of the WG action plan

Activity 2: Development of the WG action plan

Time	2 hours
Methodology	Discussion/ group work/lecture
Steps

Preparation:

Form M 4 - 1: Action Plan for Women's Groups (format)

Material

marker pens; newsprint

Instructions for Facilitator (1)

1. Facilitator introduces this Activity by saying that we are now going to develop our WG Action Plan. She encourages the participants by saying that this should not be too difficult, since we spent time in making the necessary preparations in the last Activity.

Task Instructions

2. Facilitator distributes Form M 4 - 1: Action Plan for Women's Groups. She tells the participants that this form has sample entries in them. This is mean to help participants to accomplish their WG Action Plans easier. The following are important points for participants to consider or refer to in the process of accomplishing the WG Action Plan:

(a) Refer to the Group Objectives. You will note that the activities in the Action Plan format contain activities which are necessary to achievement the objectives the WG set for themselves;

(b) What the participants need to do is to discuss and decide on the needed information to fill in the blank spaces in the format;

(c) Participants must not just fill in information, just to finish this Activity. They must realize that what they put in this Action Plan are commitments to themselves and to Project Management.

5. Facilitator forms sub-groups of 5 - 7 women for group discussion. If participants come from different villages, then the grouping should be by village groups. They are given 20 minutes for this phase of the work.

6. Sub-groups present their Action Plans. WG officers, with guidance from the workshop staff review outputs.

7. Results are consolidated by the WG Officers. Facilitator guides the consolidation of subgroup outputs into one Action Plan for the Group.

8. This session ends with he president of the WG presenting their WG Action Plan (as consolidated) to the group and Project Management.

Form M4 1: Action Plan For Women's Groups

First 6 Months: (month) (year)

Name d Village:___	Date Action Plan Prepared___
Name of Group:___	(Date, Month. Year)
Number of Women in Group:___	Date Next Action Plan to be Ready:
	(Date, Month. Year)

Activities

Place

No. of Days

Year

Responsible Persons

Support Persons

Output

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

I. Group Capital Building Up (Savings Mobilization Utilization)

1. Group Savings (amount per person: Y)___

2. Group Loaning (Interest per month:___ %)

II. Individual Business Plans

(Funding From Project Revolving Fund)

1. Individual Business Plans screened by Loans Committee

2. Loans Committee Endorse to County Governing Body

3. County Governing Body Approves Individual Business Plan

4. County Governing Body Signs Contract With Groups Officers for Group loan

III. Technical Assistance for and Supervision of

(A) Group Capital Fund and Project Revolving Fund

1 Assist Group Officer and Members to Set-up System (procedures and records ) for Managing Group Capital Fund

2 Assist Loans Committee to Finalize Group Loan from Project Revolving Fund

3 Assist WG Officers to Obtain Approval for WG Group Loan from Project Revolving Fund

4 Assist WG Officers in Signing Contact for Group Loan

5 Facilitate Release of Group Loans and Payment of SDF:

-Village 1:

- Village 2:

- Village 3:

- Village 4:

- Village 5:

Etc

6. Assist WG in Release of Individual Loans and Payment of SDF:

-Village 1:

- Village 2:

- Village 3:

- Village 4:

- Village 5:

Etc

7. Assist WG to Set-up their Procedures and Records in Managing:

- Group Capital Fund

- Project Revolving Fund Loan

IV. Functional Literacy Activities

1. Identification of potential students

2. Determination of groups by competence level

3. Assignment of members to help students in homework

4. Classes start

5. Examination to pass from one level to another

V. Regular Monthly Group Meetings

1. Agenda determined

2. group meeting

3. Minutes ready

VI. Folk Media Activities

1. Occasions for Folk Media Presentations

1.1___

1.2___

1 3___

2. Members Discuss/Plan

3. Members Determine Messages and type of presentation (song, skit etc)

VII. WG Activity Room

1. Identified

2. Functioning

VIII. Other Development Activities

For Group

1.2.

3.

Etc

For Village

1.

2.

3.

Etc

Code:

(1) Place:

WA = Women's Activity Room

VSC = Village Station Clinic

VSR = Village School Room

VG = Village in General

OV = 0utside Village

(2) Responsible/Support Persons:

P =President

VP = Vice President

S = Secretary

T = Treasurer

LC = Loans Committee

MCW/FP = MCH/FP Committee

FL = Functional Literacy

FM = Folk Media Committee

M = Members

Topic 2: Workshop wrap-up and closing

Activity 1 and 2: Workshop Wrap Up and Closing Ceremony

The Wrap-Up and Closing Ceremony could be taken as one continuous Activity or it could be split info two Activities, as the situation demands. About I hour would be needed for the Wrap-Up and another hour for the Closing Ceremony. Another possibility is to have the Wrap-up and the Reflection of Participants and Workshop Staff as one activity and a more Traditional Closing Ceremony could be held. The Workshop Staff therefore has to use their judgment and good taste in this matter.

1. WORKSHOP WRAP-UP

The wrap-up of the workshop has actually begun with Topic I in this Module. What needs to be done et this stage is simply to give participants some "makers" about what they have learned and what they have committed themselves to. (Markers are visual or non-visual synthetic presentations, which capture the substance of what one wants to remember). The Facilitator in dialogue with the participants would have done much of this already. The Facilitator simply underlines key points at this stage.

The following Visual Aids/Form are to be used for the wrap-up session:

Visual Aid WU - 1:	Programme Overview
WU - 2:	Programme Components
M 1 - 9:	Roots, Indications , Consequences of Women's Low Status
M 1 - 9 - A:	Broken Jar
M I - 10:	Approaches in Raising Women's Status
M I -10 - A:	Whole Jar
M 2 -15:	Group Goals, Spirit and Motto
M 2 -17:	Objectives
M 4 - 1:	Organizational Development Framework
Form M4- 1:	WG ACTION PLAN (es output)

2. CLOSING CEREMONIES

The Closing Ceremonies should have the following elements: (a) an opportunity for the participants to have their own personal reflections which they share with the group; (b) the workshop staff's own reflection which they also share with the group; (c) a validation by leaders of the outputs of the group and the acceptance of the commitments of the WG as written into the WG ACTION PLAN.

The format and the details of the Ceremony is left to the imagination of the group and the workshop staff.

Reflection

This is a very important part of the workshop. This must nod be rushed or replaced by any other activity.

Suggested Guide Questions:

(a) Guide Questions for Reflection of Participants

What has been the most significant lessons or insights I have gained in this workshop?

What would be most difficult for me to accomplish among what I have committed to, in the Group Action Plan and why?

(b) Guide Questions for Workshop Staff

What are the 2 - 3 most significant lessons I learned from the participants?

What difficulties do I foresee to be able to help the WG with their Activities in the Action Plan?

Participants should be able to express their own thoughts and feelings about their experience in this workshop. They should therefore be given sufficient time so that as many as possible are able to participate in this particular Activity.

The Ceremony Setting

Facilitator and participants should use their imagination to make this Ceremony a memorable experience. Make it simple but beautiful. Provide a simple and tasteful environment for the occasion, such as having flowers (fresh or paper); candles etc. Graduation certificates could be given. Awards could also be given. For example for those who had difficulty in participating, but improved significantly, and other similar categories.

The Closing Ceremony therefore should be another opportunity for the women to reinforce their sense of confidence and a time to consolidate the gains they have attained self-reliance in this workshop.

This serves as the Evaluation of the whole Workshop.

It would be most helpful if officials are present. However, if these officials cannot be available for the whole period, it is suggested that we hold 2 closing Ceremonies. One as suggested above, which could be held at night. Another one, which is the traditional way, could be held the morning after.

3. Workshop Materials WG

By way of a minimum, all Visual Aids and Forms used in Module 4 - W should be given to the WG Officers so that they could used these in the WG Activity Center which the WG will eventually have. Other Visual Aids and Forms which the participants wish to have should be given to them, including their outputs in this workshop.

In some previous workshops, the turn over of these materials was made part of the Closing Ceremonies to signify a recognition of the hard work of the participants and the workshop staff's sense of pride in sharing the success of this workshop with the participants.

WOMEN POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (WPD)

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

ROOT CAUSES OF WOMEN'S LOW STATUS	AREAS WHERE CHANGES ARE NEEDED	WHAT PARTICIPATION IN WHAT GROUP BUILDING CAN DO FOR ME AND THE GROUP
- Culture of dependence, especially on self esteem	PERSONAL VALUE CHANGE	- Help me overcome my weaknesses
- Traditional thinking		- Improve my skills
- Unplanned child births		- Raise funds through savings mobilization
- Lack of skills in		- Group control of key factors for self and group development, especially in resources mobilization
- technology
- business
- literacy
- Low creativity	DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN BUILDING A VITAL ORGANIZATION WHICH MEETS MY VITAL NEEDS	- Mutual support and assistance in both economic and social spheres
- Lack of vital organization		- Systematic effort to achieve personal and group goals and objectives
		- Gain experience in various fields
Note: As gathered from groups in China		- Expand my world view

WOMEN POPULATION A ND DEVELOPMENT (WPD)

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

IMMEDIATE RESULT AREAS	LONG TERM IMPACT
- Conviction - ability to improve self and business	- Proven to myself that I have potentials perhaps I did not believe I have, which results in a higher appreciation of myself
- Mutual assistance in mobilizing financial assistance for group use, disciple and a culture of saving for business	- A new and baker regard from my family members and the community in general
- Initiate/expand my micro-enterprise	- Greater participation in decision-making in the family-community; communicate are my interest
- More personally satisfying use of my time for production/business purposes, group activities, self	- Increase in my contribution to household income
- Greater control of my own life and its various aspects	- Increased skills in business, technology, managing myself in organization, literacy and numeracy skills
- Continuous process of gaining skills in:	- Increased confidence in taking higher and necessary risks in business
- managing self in organization	- I participate vitally in decision-making in the family in important matters, such as the future of the children
- business	- Able to help others to achieve their own goals and objectives
- technology	- Start of having a longer life planning vision as regards number of children; their education, etc.
- literacy and numeracy	- I contribute to expanding other economic activities in my village, as I engage in business (the more activities the more other services will be required)
- time management at home and business	- My health and that of my family are cared for better
- household financial management	- Participate in social life
- time for self and entertainment	- Role model for younger generation
- More energy and attention to my own health and that of the family
- More social contacts

WPD PROGRAMME COMPONENTS