Group Process: Futures

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                     GROUP PROCESS: FUTURES

Every group needs some ways to develop a shared vision of the
future.  A small tool kit of "future methods" can be used to
sharpen the group's understanding of its own future, that of the
community, society, or planet, and the future of the issue that the
group is concerned about.

Paying attention to the long term has many benefits.  It's a way to
transcend minor disagreements or current political constraints, to
develop a sense of direction, to share the hopes and concerns that
motivate each participant.  Ultimately, it's a challenge to conduct
the group's activities in the light of a bigger picture.

This section of exercises presents some of these futures methods. 
They address several aspects of anticipating the future:

     The ideal--visions, values, preferences

     The changing environment--trends and their impacts 

     Influencing the future--back-planning

     Clarifying the choices--Alternative scenarios

A group that develops a clearer vision of the future will find it
easier to state its mission, choose projects, and find the
motivation to proceed.

• 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