Exercise6: Finding Out Your Group's Needs, Skills, and Interests

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                          EXERCISE SIX
      FINDING OUT YOUR GROUP'S NEEDS, SKILLS, AND INTERESTS

This is an exercise that can be handed out during a meeting to be
discussed then or at the following meeting.  It can also be used as
a non-meeting handout, but it may not work as well that way because
people often feel they're always doing things like this and nothing
ever comes of it.  Follow-up, then, is important.

1. An exercise such as this can be introduced and the tone set by
putting up a quote such as this on newsprint:

     "Groups always underutilize their own human resources."

Or it can be started with a question such as, "Do you feel that
your needs, skills, and interests are used in this group?"

2.  Have each group member (or the group as a whole) fill out the
questionnaire that follows.  Have the group decide on relevant
questions specific to the group's needs, then answer them as well.

3. This can be followed by a short discussion asking why needs,
skills, etc., are not used, and you can deal with the important
questions or consequences for the group.

4. It's helpful to ask what other ways your organization might do
this sort of exercise so it's tailored to your group's learning
style.

                    NEEDS--SKILLS--INTERESTS

     "Groups always underutilize their own human resources."


1. I joined so the following would happen:



2. I will probably lose interest if:



3. I have the following skills that I could share with others:



4. I have the following interests:



5. I have access to/I know the following people who might be
helpful:



6. I have had the following experiences that might make me helpful:



7. What would you like to do as a member that you have never had an
opportunity to do before?



8.        


9.


10.

A few other techniques for making a group aware of individual's
needs, interests, talents, and skills include:

     þ    Keep a card file on members with regularly updated
          information.

     þ    Conduct personal interviews using a "round robin"
          technique or in groups of two or three (this can be done
          outside of a meeting, in groups of two or three, as done
          for the introductions exercises; or in a meeting or
          workshop).

     þ    Share information about groups and individual needs with
          the group, either verbally or on sheets they can keep a
          copy of in their files.

Again, follow-up is important: if the information is filed away and
not referred to often, members will feel it is a worthless exercise
(it raises unfulfilled expectations and creates anger).

• Lois M. Frey, UVM Extension, RR #4, Box 2298, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 223-2389, email: lfrey@sover.net
• "Group Development: Creating Group Effectiveness" by Duane Dale, DFD Associates, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-3402 (moving to 764 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01022 after 8/1/98);
• Bob Biagi, 142 Cherry Lane, Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 549-1412;

Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98