Our Community › Movement Structure › Forming a Community
🌱 Forming a Community
Every JMI Chapter started with three people in a village or ward who decided to act. This page walks through how a Working Group is formed, how it operates, and how it graduates into a full Ward/Village Community — the foundational unit of JMI.
Phase 1
Starting as a Working Group
A Working Group is the provisional form of a JMI community. It has no formal constitution yet, but it is recognised by the movement and supported from day one. The aim of the Working Group phase is to build the habits, relationships, and track record needed for graduation.
01
Find Your Core GroupA Working Group begins with a minimum of three JMI members in the same village or ward who are committed to sustained local action. You do not need permission — you need people.
02
Register the Working GroupInform the nearest active Assembly Chapter or the National Working Group. Share the names, contacts, and intended ward/village. This is recorded centrally and gives you access to JMI materials and support.
03
Hold Your First MeetingFormally convene. Elect a provisional Convener to facilitate meetings, a Secretary to maintain records, and a Treasurer to manage any funds. Record the minutes and send a copy to the registering chapter.
04
Set a Meeting CadenceWorking Groups must meet at least once a month. Meetings should have a fixed agenda: member updates, ongoing actions, issues identification, and plans for the next cycle.
05
Begin Local Issue WorkIdentify one or two local issues to act on — a broken public facility, a pending RTI, a local environmental concern. Early wins build credibility and attract more members.
Phase 2
Operating as a Working Group
The Working Group phase is not a waiting period — it is an active period of community building. These are the ongoing responsibilities that all Working Groups carry.
🗂️Records & ReportingMinutes of every meeting must be maintained. A quarterly summary — members present, actions taken, issues raised, funds received and spent — is submitted to the registering chapter.
🤝Member RecruitmentEvery member is responsible for introducing JMI to others. Working Groups should actively invite neighbours, colleagues, and community members to attend open meetings.
📢Public EngagementParticipate in local events, public consultations, and gram sabhas. Raise JMI's positions on local issues. Visibility in the community matters for earning trust.
💰Dues & FinancesMembers pay their annual dues through the Working Group. Funds are managed transparently — a simple income-expense register is maintained and shared with the registering chapter.
📡Connection UpwardThe Convener participates in Assembly Chapter meetings (or National Working Group calls if no Assembly Chapter exists yet). Working Groups are part of the movement — not islands.
🌐Online PresenceWorking Groups are encouraged to join JMI's online platforms — the shared forum, WhatsApp coordination groups, and webinars — to learn from other communities across the country.
Phase 3
Graduation to Full Community
When a Working Group meets all of the following criteria, it applies for graduation to a full Ward/Village Community. Graduation is not automatic — it is a recognition that the group has demonstrated sustained capacity and commitment.
✓Minimum 10 membersAt least ten paid-up JMI members residing in the ward or village.
✓12 consecutive monthly meetingsDocumented, minuted meetings held for at least one full year as a Working Group.
✓At least 3 local actions completedDocumented issue-based actions — RTIs filed, petitions submitted, public meetings held, or campaigns run.
✓Clean financial recordDues collected, funds tracked, and quarterly reports submitted without gaps.
✓Recommendation from registering chapterThe Assembly Chapter (or NWG) formally endorses the Working Group's readiness for graduation.
Graduation ProcessThe Convener submits a graduation application to the registering Assembly Chapter (or the NWG if no Assembly Chapter exists). The application includes the membership list, meeting minutes, action records, and financial statements. The chapter reviews and, if satisfied, formally recognises the community and issues a recognition letter.
After Graduation — Mandatory Committees
Every unit of JMI — from a Ward/Village Community to the National Chapter — must establish a set of mandatory committees. Committees are not hierarchical; all members are equal organisers. Each committee designates a Responsible Organiser and a Backup Responsible Organiser purely for coordination purposes.
Committees meet at minimum once a quarter, follow a collaborative decision-making process, and require a two-thirds quorum to pass binding decisions.
Executive CommitteeAll levels
- Sets 6-month milestones and targets for the unit, aligned with upper-level units.
- Ensures cross-communication and coordination between all other committees in the unit.
- Serves as an oversight committee for subordinate units (except at Ward/Village level) — can call for elections or dissolve a lower unit with evidence and two-thirds approval from peer units.
Funds Raising CommitteeAll levels
- Plans and executes fundraising activities.
- Ensures financial transparency and accountability.
- Manages budgeting and allocation of funds.
- Reports financial status to the unit's Organisers Council quarterly.
Campaigning CommitteeAll levels
- Develops, executes, and manages campaigns aligned with JMI's objectives.
- Identifies potential areas of intervention and issues to campaign for.
- Coordinates with other committees for resources and support.
- Tracks and evaluates campaign effectiveness.
Outreach Organiser CommitteeAll levels
- Develops and implements strategies to raise JMI's profile and reach potential members.
- Ensures messaging consistency across platforms and campaigns.
- Manages social media presence and public relations activities.
- Organises events and workshops to engage with the community.
Grievance Redressal CommitteeAll levels
- Addresses complaints and grievances raised by members.
- Investigates violations of the Code of Conduct and recommends disciplinary or corrective action.
- Mediates conflicts among members.
- Periodically reviews and updates policies to prevent grievances.
Logistics CommitteeAll levels
- Manages resource allocation and distribution.
- Oversees procurement and distribution of materials for campaigns and projects.
- Addresses logistical challenges during the execution of activities.
- Ensures smooth operations for events, meetings, and activities.
Collaboration CommitteeAll levels
- Identifies potential partnerships with NGOs, civil society organisations, and progressive movements.
- Fosters relationships with external stakeholders to amplify JMI's impact.
- Explores joint campaigns, projects, and advocacy efforts.
- Facilitates exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise with external partners.
Membership CommitteeAssembly & Ward/Village only
- Reviews membership applications and recommends acceptance, rejection, or inactive/volunteer status.
- Maintains the membership database and ensures its accuracy and confidentiality.
- Provides orientation and support to new members.
- Organises activities to engage and retain members.
Solutions Formation CommitteeAssembly & Ward/Village only
- Identifies and analyses pressing social, economic, political, and environmental issues.
- Conducts in-depth research to gather data on identified issues.
- Brainstorms and generates innovative strategies to address challenges.
- Develops comprehensive proposals and action plans for implementation.
- Evaluates feasibility, impact, and risks of proposed solutions.
- Monitors progress and effectiveness of implemented solutions.
Coordination CommitteeAssembly and above
- Facilitates communication and coordination between different level units of the organisation.
- Resolves issues or conflicts between committees.
- Oversees overall functioning of the unit and alignment with organisational objectives.
- Facilitates rotation of committee members and their transition into new roles.
Election CommitteeAssembly and above
- Oversees the elections process and ensures it is free and fair.
- Ensures a smooth transition between outgoing and incoming members.
Tech CommitteeCity/District and above
- Manages and maintains IT infrastructure — websites, software, and communication platforms.
- Ensures cybersecurity and data protection measures are in place.
- Provides technical support to members and committees.
- Explores and implements innovative technologies to enhance JMI's efficiency and reach.
Onboarding CommitteeCity/District & State only
- Welcomes and orients new members to JMI's values, principles, and structure.
- Provides information about committees, roles, and opportunities.
- Conducts induction sessions to familiarise new members with JMI's goals and campaigns.
- Supports new members as they integrate into the unit.
“A graduated Ward/Village Community is not the end — it is the beginning. When communities grow and multiply within a constituency, they come together to form an Assembly Chapter, moving the movement one level higher.”
