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Sustainability Tools group formatio n | leadershi p | meeting s | grou p dynamic s conflict | listenin g e canno t alway s wor k alone . Ther e i s a grea t dea l o f creativity, expertis e an d energ y i n groups . The secre t t o successful grou p wor k lie s i n the abilit y t o foste r an d dra w o n synergy between group members. However, working as a group can ofte n b e frustratin g an d unproductive . Workin g i n group s requires th e us e o f man y socia l tools. These includ e th e abilit y to listen , a basic understandin g o f grou p dynamics , respec t fo r individuals and their points of view, patience, tolerance and solid interpersonal and collaborative proble m solving skills. This Handboo k provide s a n overvie w o f som e o f thes e tool s and skills , whic h w e ter m collectivel y a s socia l tool s fo r sustainability o r Sustainability Tools. Even seasoned socia l activists ma y benefit from reviewin g and practising these tool s and skills . We believ e tha t b y understandin g thes e tool s an d integrating them into their day-to-day work, NGOs can becom e more effective. Government bodie s should also explore ho w to use these tools since they can help to build consensus amon g large group s i n a non-adversaria l wa y an d promot e proble m solving. Working i n group s require s participator y decision-making . Decision-making i s not participator y whe n on e perso n or a few w Getting Heard 3 9 Sustainability Tools people mak e al l th e decisions . Grou p decision-makin g shoul d b e guided by two mai n principles : • I f peopl e don' t participat e i n th e decision-makin g proces s o r agree with or "own" the solution to the problem, implementatio n may be ineffective . • Publi c issue s involv e man y peopl e - th e abilit y t o identify , harness an d focu s thei r intellectua l capita l an d energ y i s essential for the success of a community project . I. Forming a n NG O Forming group s i s a n importan t par t o f publi c participatio n an d may create man y opportunitie s an d relationships . Group s ca n var y i n siz e and purpose. Some groups are cohesive - th e people within the group have somethin g i n commo n o r ar e unite d i n a broade r goal . Othe r groups ar e forme d t o manag e o r solv e a proble m an d usuall y hav e more specific goals. Whatever their size, groups usually rely on leaders to coordinate activitie s and minimise conflict . Which lega l vehicle i s the right one ? If you want to form an NGO in Hong Kong, you can do so in one of two ways. Th e firs t optio n i s t o for m a societ y unde r th e Societie s Ordinance. Thi s involve s registerin g th e societ y wit h th e Societie s Officer (th e Commissione r o f Polic e i s th e Societie s Officer) . Th e process i s quick and very simple and the degree of supervision i s low. For example , a societ y i s no t require d b y la w t o audi t it s annua l accounts. A society ma y appl y t o th e Inlan d Revenu e Departmen t fo r charitable status ; i f thi s i s granted , peopl e wh o donat e mone y t o th e society can get a tax exemption for these amounts for the year in which they mak e the donation. The second option is to incorporate a company unde r the Companie s Ordinance. Commercia l companie s wil l incorporat e a s a compan y limited by shares. NGOs usuall y incorporat e a s a company limite d by guarantee withou...

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