Comments to: crs@uvm.eduReviewed as of 4/20/98
THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRODUCED BY THE NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM. IT IS POSTED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES FOR PUBLIC
USE. THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE CONTENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO THE USERS GUIDE.
GUIDELINES FOR SMALL GROUP RESOURCE PERSON
The role of the NERL resource person has been designed to bring
experience and expertise to each of the NERL public issue
discussions during periods assigned for small group work. Each
NERL resource person has been identified because he/she is known to
have special knowledge in the public issue assigned.
Working with a group of up to nine people, plus a group
facilitator, the NERL resource person may be asked to:
þ provide facts and expert opinion
þ provide guidance to stimulate the group's thought process
and aid their search for knowledge and information in the
topic area
þ help the group define problems, set goals, and select an
appropriate course of action
þ help the group identify additional resource materials
related to the public issue
Public issue resource persons will assist each NERL group address
a public issue. These persons will be required to share their
knowledge and experience in a specific field. The preparation
required is minimum. Specific duties include:
þ Provide guidance through questioning whenever possible
þ Provide facts and expert opinions
þ Help group define problem, set goals, and select
appropriate courses of action
þ Work with small group facilitator
þ Help group prepare final written report and assist in
oral presentation before total group.
The primary objective of the participants will be to collect and
analyze relevant information that will enable them to define a
problem situation as specifically and accurately as possible, and
to develop a specific goal statement for the improvement of the
problem situation. The public issue resource person should be
prepared to assist with the following type of questions:
þ What is the problem situation?
þ Who and how many people are affected?
þ Exactly what is wrong?
þ What is causing the problem?
þ What are the issues affecting the problem?
The group should be gathering analyzing the situation and setting
clear, realistic, and appropriate goals.
The next step is to explore alternative solutions. Specifically,
the group should identify and evaluate alternative solutions,
identify and specify the value orientations involved in selecting
a solution, and select the most appropriate solution. Although
time is limited, the group should consider at least two or three
alternatives before selecting the most appropriate one.
The type of questions the public issue resource person should be
prepared to address include:
þ What types of changes must be made?
þ Which objectives will permit the most efficient use of
scarce resources?
þ Which set of objectives will most nearly produce the
desired effect?
þ Which objectives should be sought first?
þ What will be the distribution of positive and negative
effects?
þ What proportion of those affected will be helped?
þ Does the distribution of predicted impact warrant group
action?
þ What time frame should be considered?
þ What indicators will measure goal attainment?
The information gathered should produce a few alternative solutions
to the public issue problem and then enable the group to evaluate
and select the most appropriate solution. A group facilitator will
be participating to help in the problem-solving process and to keep
participants focused on the objectives.
Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98