The process of promotion of SHGs.

1.Forming Stage

This is the first stage during which the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) explain the concept of self-help groups. After listening to this concept, women usually say that they are prepared to form a group. They give their names but it is observed that there exists an innate fear and anxiety. Some come forward to give their contribution on the same day and some others after two or three meetings. It takes one week to 3 months time between their first meeting and first lending. The group is trained to maintain their accounts. Each member gets her pass-book from the group for her ready reference. The members choose a name to identify their group. Group initiation is the first and fundamental stage in the formation of a sustainable SHG the activities in this stage have to be undertaken in a planned and sequential manner.

2 .Storming Stage

In this stage, a lot of queries arise in the minds of the members of the Self-Help groups. The hidden anxiety and fear flare up. The conflict betwee the individual interest and group interest happen to flash. The members tend to argue with the organizers that their savings will have to be distributed to them after a said period of one year or so. When the members 90 are told the self-help group is a continuous process, some of them may withdraw their membership claiming or their contributions. This is a crucial stage for NGOs that the members are clearly educated that the self-help group has been organized not like a chit fund group which will be wound up after a said period, sharing their savings and profits. The members are appraised that the group’s growth is a continuous process which can run not only all through their lives but even by generations if they wish. Any problem will have to be