Chapter 6 Planning the Group

1. Chapter 6Planning the Group Slides developed by Ronald W. Toseland State University of New York at Albany

2. Planning Model • Establishing the group’s purpose • Assessing the potential sponsorship and membership • Recruiting members • Composing the group • Orienting members to the group

3. Establishing the Group’s Purpose • Group worker generated • Agency or staff generated • Member generated • Community generated

4. Assessing Potential Sponsorship • The mission, goals, objectives and resources of the agency • Fit between agency policies and goals of the proposed group • Support within the agency • Nature of unmet and ongoing needs • Costs and benefits

5. Gathering Support for a New Group • Does it fit the mission and goals of the agency? • Would resolution of problem facing the group be valued by the agency and the community? • Does the administration of the agency support the proposed group? • Is the need being met elsewhere?

6. Gathering Support for a New Group • Would co-sponsorship with another agency be possible? • Resolve differences in perspectives and identify hidden agendas • Obtain consensus from staff about goals and methods to achieve them

7. Assessing the Potential Membership • The nature of the problem or need facing the group • Potential members’ recognition and shared perceptions about the purpose of the group • Cultural and other differences that could influence perceptions of the group • Perceptions of the sponsoring organization

8. Assessing the Potential Membership • Effects of ambivalence, resistance, or involuntary nature of the group • Specialized knowledge needed to work with members • Demographic differences and commonalities of potential members

9. Assessing the Potential Membership • Benefits to potential members participating • Barriers, obstacles, and drawbacks to member participation • Resources needed from the organization and community • Ensure members’ interest and participation

10. Methods For Recruiting Members • Directly through interviews and telephone contacts • Contacting key people and community leaders in the network of potential members • Announcements through the mail • Posting announcements in community organizations and other sites

11. Methods For Recruiting Members • Using websites to advertise the group • Speaking at public meetings • Appearing on radio and television shows • Issuing press releases, publishing announcements in organizational newsletters

12. Composing the Group • A homogeneity of members’ purpose and personality characteristics • A heterogeneity of members coping skills, life experiences and expertise • An overall structure that includes a range of the members’ qualities, skills and expertise

13. Other Composition Issues • Group structure • Diversity and demographic characteristics • Size • Open and closed membership • Close ended and open ended

14. Orienting Members • Explaining the purpose of the group • Familiarizing members with group procedures • Screening members for appropriateness • Contracting for group procedures and member goals

15. Preparing the Environment • Physical setting – room size, furnishings, technology, atmosphere (lighting, etc.) • Making special arrangements • Securing financial support

16. Planning Virtual Groups • Telephone groups • Video groups • Websites – chat rooms, bulletin boards, e-mail, listservs, streaming media

17. Advantages of Telephone Groups • Convenience and accessibility • Reduced time needed to get to meetings • Reduced stigma and greater privacy • Reaching those without transportation and in rural areas • Ability to reach homebound people • Greater willingness to share taboo issues

18. Disadvantages of Telephone Groups • No visual and non-verbal feedback • Difficulty of including hearing impaired • Technical problems; call waiting • Lack of privacy if others are home • Difficulty of using visual media – except if mailed to members’ homes

19. Preparing a Group Proposal • Abstract • Purpose • Agency sponsorship • Membership • Recruitment • Composition • Orientation