TM Support GroupsFunctioning as a Group: Shared Responsibility Pam Schechter Functioning as a group requires cooperation and shared responsibility by group members and a willingness to participate in the pre-planning and preparatory work at all levels. This increases the chances of success of the support group by increasing the participation of as many people as possible.  It provides everyone with a sense that they share in the ownership and have control over the direction of the group.  And it increases the possibility that the group will not end from a lack of interest.   Members of groups in which attendance is sporadic and irregular should be encouraged by the leader to formulate an appropriate plan of action. Some of the issues that could be considered when evaluating participation are the meeting times and dates, the location of the meetings and the content of the meetings.  People have busy and complicated lives; support group meetings need to be convenient for people to attend.  Another consideration is whether there is a cost associated with the meetings.  If a lunch or dinner meal is served that some members might not be able to afford, the group might consider holding some of the meetings in places where a meal does not need to be purchased, or members should be made to feel comfortable attending the meetings and not buying the meal.  Finding appropriate solutions to some of these issues will ensure a core group of members regularly attend the meetings and will enhance the group’s effectiveness and staying power. To that extent, the leader should not be reluctant to delegate responsive action to secure this core group. Involving the whole group in finding the solutions ensures that the group will find the solutions that work. Members who wish to get involved and to share the work load should have the opportunity to do so. This employment of group members provides the leader with additional resources that can be used to bolster attendance and to ensure the continuity of the group.  Some of the activities that can be delegated and shared by group members include, writing the meeting notice that is posted on The Transverse Myelitis Association website; finding and arranging the meeting place; if meals are to be served, selecting the meal items and making the arrangements for member payments; preparing and printing and mailing invitations and notices for meetings which include the time, date and directions;  helping to prepare a schedule of future meeting dates; volunteering to make copies of literature and materials that will be distributed to members at the meeting; and volunteering to make phone calls to members to remind people of the meetings. Shared responsibility in planning often results in increased clarity of purpose. Such clarity increases the member’s ability to make an informed decision about whether he or she wants to participate in the group. Thus shared planning can result in minimizing domination by the leader and maximizing individualism and self-determination.  Shared responsibilities and pre-planning can help to set the group’s priorities and assures that the group’s needs are meaningful and helpful, that they will make a real difference.   Another way to share responsibility in the group is to share the responsibility of leading the meetings.  The group can rotate this activity between members who are interested in taking on this role.  The person leading the meetings can take on the activities of making sure that new members are introduced to the group and asked to share their background, history and reasons for joining the group; by allotting time to each group member to update recent experiences regarding his or her attempts at recovery and other happenings since the last meeting; by introducing topic discussions and the agenda; and by leading general discussions on questions and concerns posed by the members. As group survival tactics, shared responsibility and shared pre-planning are key elements for the perpetuity of the group. The use of these elements reinforces the dynamics of the group, because everyone has a stake in the group's success and continuity. Good luck to those of you who wish to start a regional support group. I hope my suggestions help to improve your chances of success and that responsibility for the group is a “shared” effort by all of your members.  If you wish further advice or suggestions or wish to exchange your own suggestions and helpful ideas about support groups, please e-mail me at: Littleprincess900[AT SIGN]hotmail.com Regards to all, Pam Schechter

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