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Groups

A group is a set of clients who meet and save or borrow together, such as a savings group or a stockvel. Every client is registered into a group, so create the group before you register its members.

The group list​

In the sidebar, under CRM, click Groups. The list shows each active group's Name, Business Type, Status and Created date. Type in Search groups... to find a group by name.

Each row has two action icons:

  • View (eye) opens the group's page.
  • Edit (pencil) opens the group's details for editing.

Creating a group​

  1. On the Groups page, click Add Group.
  2. Fill in the New Group form:
FieldNotes
Group NameRequired. Up to 255 characters.
Business TypeOptional. A short label for what the group does, for example "Savings group". Up to 100 characters. A counter below the box shows how many you have used.
Description / notesOptional. Free text about the group, such as how it meets, who it serves, or anything an officer taking over the file should know. Up to 2,000 characters.
Group Leader (optional)Search for and pick an existing client.
Group Secretary (optional)Search for and pick an existing client.
Join DateOptional. Pick from the calendar.
  1. Click Create Group.

You see "Group created successfully." and return to the group list.

tip

Keep notes in Description / notes, not in Business Type. Business Type is a short label and is limited to 100 characters.

Choosing the leader and secretary

The leader and secretary boxes search clients by name, phone or client number, but each option shows only the client's name. If two clients share a name, search by client number to be sure you pick the right person. Choosing a leader or secretary here does not add them to the group's member list. Add them as members separately. See Adding a member.

Editing a group​

  1. On the Groups page, click the Edit icon on the group's row.
  2. Change the details on the Edit Group page.
  3. Click Update Group.

You see "Group updated successfully."

The Join Date is set when the group is created. Changing it while editing has no effect.

The group page​

Click View on a group to open its page. It shows:

  • The group's name and status (ACTIVE or INACTIVE).
  • Group Details: name, business type, description / notes, join date and the date the group was created.
  • Field Officer: the officer responsible for the group. See Field officers.
  • Members: the group's members, with a count, and each member's Client name, Joined date, Role and Status. The Status column shows the client's own status (Active, Draft or Inactive).

Adding a member​

When you register a client, they are added to the group you choose on the first step of the wizard. To add an existing client to a group:

  1. Open the group's page.
  2. In the Members section, click Add Member.
  3. In the Add Member to Group dialog, type in Search clients. You can search by name, phone number or client number.
  4. Pick the client from the list. Each option shows the client's name, followed by their phone number in brackets if one is recorded.
  5. Click Add Member.

You see "Member added to group successfully."

Check you have the right person

Names are not unique. Several clients can share the same name, and the options in this list do not show the client number. Before you click Add Member:

  • If you know the client number, search by it. Only that client will appear.
  • Otherwise, check the phone number shown in brackets against the client in front of you.
  • If two options look the same, cancel, open each client from the Clients list, and confirm their client number, group and date of birth first.

When the client is already in another group​

What happens depends on your organisation's settings:

  • One group only (the default): the client cannot be added to a second group. You see "Failed to add member. The client may already be in this group." Remove them from their current group first.
  • Transfer: the client is moved. Their membership in the old group ends and they join the new one. Their savings balance belongs to the client, not the group, so it moves with them.
  • Multiple groups: the client is added and stays in their other groups too.

Adding a client who is already a member of the same group is also refused, with the same message.

Removing a member​

  1. Open the group's page.
  2. In the Members list, click the Remove member icon on the client's row.
  3. In the Remove Member dialog, click Remove.

You see "Member removed from group." The client's record, loans and savings are not affected. Their client page then shows Not assigned for the group. To place them in another group, add them from that group's page, or edit the client and use Assign to Group.