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.
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BUILD, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE YOUR GROUP
> INTRODUCTION
Citizen groups can and do play an important role in our lives
as well as fulfilling a necessary and extremely important role
in a democratic society. Many times the groups of which we are
a part have a greater impact on us than we realize. They may
influence our feelings, values, behavior, and even the way we
think. To some people this is viewed negatively because it can
block individualism and initiative and build conformity. Yet,
on the positive side, groups do fill personal needs such as
security, recognition, and even responsibility and motivation.
And, more importantly, groups can mobilize a wide range of
resources to operate cooperatively to accomplish valuable
common goals.
Many of the complex issues we are facing today require a wide
range of experiences and knowledge to deal with them
effectively. This experience and knowledge, and even clout,
can often be provided more effectively through a group effort
than by individuals working alone and sometimes needlessly at
odds with potential allies.
The following three units will deal with helping your board,
committee, or group build a team, maintain and motivate that
team, and improve it so that it will be more effective and
satisfying.
People join for many reasons. A few may perceive that they are
pressured to belong by peers, family, friends, or tradition;
but the overwhelming number participate for positive reasons.
Personal development, such as gaining knowledge and experience,
a desire for recognition or maybe a sense of accomplishment
motivates some. Others join and work out of concern for their
community and a desire to see things improved, knowing that
there is strength in numbers. Many have beliefs and
philosophies that encourage them to help others and fulfill
their sense of responsibility. Most like to work with people.
> ASSUMPTIONS
The experience of a good group is frequently equated to a
mystical or special experience by a number of participants: a
blend of personalities and conditions that, coincidentally,
work well together. A bad group experience is often attributed
to poor leadership, incompatible group members, or failure to
use appropriate process. All of these factors may affect the
experience of groups.
This unit has three main sections; each is listed below with
its objectives.
> LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
* Gain an understanding of the value of working in
groups to accomplish group goals.
* Practice techniques for helping a group of
individuals become an effective group.
+ BUILD IT
* Leaders and members will gain an understanding of
group process concepts and practice related skills.
* Groups will become more member oriented rather than
leader dominated.
* Leaders will gain an awareness of improved group
management and practice effective group leadership
skills.
* Members and leaders will become more effective in the
group.
* Members and leaders will become aware of and practice
leadership skills and understand the relationship
between leadership and membership so that members
will be able to perform a wider variety of roles and
tasks.
* Members and leaders will become more aware of things
that block or build the effectiveness of a group and
practice related skills.
* Members and leaders will understand and experience
why and how to build a group into a team that
attractively recruits members, cares for them, and
uses their skills and talents effectively working
toward common goals.
+ MAINTAIN IT
* Members and leaders will gain an understanding of the
needs, talents, and skills of the membership.
* Members and leaders will gain an awareness of need
satisfaction and motivation, and learn how to improve
the group climate to address those needs.
* Members and leaders will explore their own needs and
motivations and in so doing, learn to understand and
appreciate the motivations and needs of others.
* Members and leaders will gain insight in
understanding the forces that influence situations
and attempt to develop useful approaches to improve
those situations.
* Members and leaders will gain an awareness of the
forces at work that can inhibit or encourage
meaningful and satisfying group membership.
* Members and leaders will understand why they and
others joined, continue to be group members, fade
away, or drop out.
+ IMPROVE IT
* Members and leaders will observe and experience
situations that happen in groups and use that
information as a basis for discussion and self-
learning.
* Members and leaders will learn how to deal more
effectively with difficult behaviors.
* Members and leaders will understand the difficulties
and barriers to communicating in groups.
* Members and leaders will become aware of cultural and
other differences that exist between members.
* Members and leaders will become aware of non-verbal
communication and the need for clarification and
feedback for effective communication.
* Members and leaders will become aware of various ways
they communicate and practice ways of communicating
more effectively.
* Members and leaders will become aware of and practice
listening skills.
Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98