Friday, April 15th, 1994
Ideas for Improvement
Dances
- Some people growing tired of the topical discussions.
- Playing cards brought some people back.
- More people like dances at the Christopher Club (CC). Perhaps we could discuss dance etiquette.
- More waltzes at CC.
- Play ball room stuff all through the night, not just before 10:00.
- Advertise in newsletter the types of music scheduled to be played at upcoming dances.
- Have designated half-hour segments for the different types of dances.
- Do a spin-off dance group for each of the various types of dances.
- Eliminate smoking at CC.
- Check out two dance sections: One inside, and one on the patio at CC.
- Dance classes commonly held in spring and fall.
Group Meetings
- Get facilitators to stop psychoanalyzing.
- Have more physical activities to draw younger folks.
- Teach about “OTHER” topics besides relationships.
- Older men sometimes intimidate younger women.
- Make more comfortable the topic sections.
Tom Hesley
Posted in Journal, Relationships, Romantic | No Comments »
Saturday, April 9th, 1994
Had facilitator training last night at Interaction.
The influence of the facilitator over what the group discusses should be rather limited. But it should be a helpful experience in that it teaches us how to be non argumentative and supportive.
Tom Hesley
Posted in Dayton, Journal, Relationships, Special Places | No Comments »
Friday, April 8th, 1994
A few months after joining Group Interaction, they asked me to become a group facilitator. So to that end, I attended a special session for facilitator wannabes. My notes from that session follow.
- Want new facilitators.
- Newcomers must be single.
- Folks can discuss topics of interest to learn about the new folks.
- We are guides – people-oriented.
- Lead by example.
- Must not “run” the group.
- Assure that all participants get a chance to talk.
- Tonight, general rules discussion.
- Open group with an ice breaker. Get from the supplied list.
- Try to promote self confidence.
- New facilitators co-facilitate for six sessions.
- Advanced training is a refresher.
- Facilitator meeting at Don Loose’s house on 4-17-94 at 1:00 PM.
- Must attend one basic and one advanced training session.
- Must facilitate with three different folks.
- Avoid argumentative behavior.
- Encourage but don’t force the talk.
- Don’t facilitate while I’m in a bad or flustered mood.
- Difference between giving advice and giving feedback.
- We should give feedback, not advice.
- Speak in first person (I, me).
- Smoothing things over is different than supplying genuine support.
- Leadership should be told about obnoxious folks.
- If a fight is brewing, send someone else to get support. Don’t leave the group un facilitated.
- Group leaders must be relaxed, low-key, and possess a sense of humor.
- Be open and accepting of people’s views, even when you disagree.
- Don’t take sides – don’t force beliefs on the group.
- Maintain a certain detachment from heated group discussions.
- Be sincere and encourage others to “let their hair down.”
- Don’t dump negative feelings on group.
- Don’t stay on a topic if group is uncomfortable with it.
- To maintain status as a core member, you must facilitate for ten hours in a three-month period.
- Leave of absence from core is possible. Just tell the leadership chair.
- Be here at 8:00 PM or 8:10 PM.
Tom Hesley
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