Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Getting Started: The Beginning Stage and Beginning Phase ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Chapter Make sure the first session is more than warm-up and introductions—introduce the content and make the sessions interesting Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc The first and second sessions of any group are often the most important and usually are the most difficult to lead Plan these sessions well ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved The Beginning Start with a more detailed opening statement about group and its purpose; then conduct an introduction exercise Start with an opening statement; then get right into the content of the group Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Make a brief statement about the group; then conduct an introduction exercise ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Options for the First Session Start with a brief statement about the group; then have members fill out a short sentencecompletion form Start with an introduction exercise Start with an unusual opening—one that grabs the members Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc continued ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved How to Begin the Group Helping Members Get Acquainted • • • Name round Name tags Dyads Setting a Positive Tone • Do not focus on negative members or issues Clarifying the Purpose of the Group Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc How to Begin the group ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 19 Things to Consider in a First Session Explaining the Leader’s Role Explaining How the Group Will be Conducted Helping Members Verbalize Expectations Remember, sometimes members have no expectations Drawing Out Members Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc continued ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 19 Things to Consider Using Exercises • Rounds • Dyads • Sentence completion 10 Checking Out the Comfort Levels of the Members 11 Explaining Group Roles 12 Explaining Any Special Terms that Will be Used 13 Assessing Members’ Interaction Styles Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc continued ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 19 Things to Consider 14 Being Sensitive to Multicultural issues 15 Cutting Off members 16 Focusing on the Content 17 Addressing Questions 18 Getting Members to Look at Other Members when talking 19 Closing the First Session – Evaluation of the First Session Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc continued ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 19 Things to Consider Planning For the Potential Letdown Ending the Second Session Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Opening the Second Session – Introducing New Members – Depends on Success of the First Session ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved The Second Session The purpose of the beginning phase is to allow members to get focused, check-in, and for the leader to get a read on the members’ energy for the session The length of the warm-up phase varies according to the kind of group Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Every session has a beginning or warm-up phase and leaders should always consider how they are going to open each session ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved The Beginning Phase of Subsequent Sessions – Start with a movie or tv clip – Start with some kind of mock dramatic beginning – Start with a prop that focuses members’ attention Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Use rounds regarding how the week has been Ask members for progress reports Ask members if they have something they want to discuss in group that day Creative Beginnings ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Opening the Beginning Phase too long (2)Leaders let the members stray from the purpose of the group and get into irrelevant topics (3)Leaders skip the warm-up Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc (1)Leaders let the beginning phase go on ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Mistakes During the Beginning Phase [...]... how the week has been Ask members for progress reports Ask members if they have something they want to discuss in group that day Creative Beginnings ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Opening the Beginning Phase too long (2)Leaders let the members stray from the purpose of the group and get into irrelevant topics (3)Leaders skip the warm-up Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, ... warm-up and introductions—introduce the content and make the sessions interesting Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc The first and second sessions of any group are... important and usually are the most difficult to lead Plan these sessions well ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved The Beginning Start with a more detailed opening statement about group and its... discuss in group that day Creative Beginnings ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Opening the Beginning Phase too long (2)Leaders let the members stray from the purpose of the group and get