Introduction

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.


                 FINDING, USING, AND FULFILLING
         MEMBER'S NEEDS, INTERESTS, TALENTS, AND SKILLS

Every group should have some way of encouraging its members to
express their needs as well as their interests, talents, and
skills.  The first step is to show a willingness to accept and
respect a member's ideas, interests, and needs.  Easier said than
done, and often people pay lip service to others' needs or ideas,
then act on their own agendas.  Not that everyone in the group must
agree to incorporate all the individual agendas, but there should
be a receptivity to them.  That is, develop an atmosphere of trust
so that no one will fear being ridiculed for opening up their
personal agendas to the group.

• 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