“An association is not a thing which cannot exist unless we have a Chairman and a Vice Chairman and a Secretary. An association is not a thing which cannot meet unless it has a fixed meeting place. Association. . . depends upon the feeling and the force within us. Association means unity, brotherhood, binding together in one common work.”
— Sri Aurobindo
Before the last decade of the 19th century, Ganesh Chaturthi used to be a one-day festival that people celebrated in the privacy of their homes.
Then, in 1893, Lokmanya Tilak turned the tradition of worshipping Ganpati—the remover of obstacles and bringer of happiness—into community events all over Maharashtra.
“The youth organized themselves into bands of singers. Gymnastic societies were encouraged, and deeds of self-denial and valor were put forth for emulation before the young by fiery speakers and priests during the days of the festival,” Dhananjay Keer quoted Tilak in the Lokmanya’s biography.
In 1896, Tilak started the Shivaji festival to further the causes of national resistance. Plus, he began a campaign in Maharashtra to boycott foreign cloth to oppose to the excise duty imposed on cotton by the Colonial administration. (All this was long before the emergence of Gandhiji.)
Did the Lokmanya (meaning “respected by people”) wait to form a formal association and draft processes to execute each step? Did he hold status-review meetings all day? Did he fuss over the size of a corporate logo in posters erected all over Maharashtra?
No! He just worked to inspire people (especially the youth) to join the cause of Swarajya (self-rule).
You don’t need instructions or permission to start a project. You don’t need to wait until your startup is incorporated, until the name, logo, and website are perfect, and until you have a Board of Directors.
Just do the work. Let your purpose drive you. Like-minded people will get drawn to you like bees to honey.