[Rinksterk]

Lets say you have a group of people that don't really know eachother and you're the leader of the group. You meet every once in a while (twice a month or something like that). The whole purpose of the group is to become friends and establish some kind of connection and trust. Some of the people may be outgoing but most of them are kind of introverted. You cannot force the members to do anything. What would you do if you were the leader?

I thought about organizing a camping trip or doing community work. I think people tend to bond together (in most cases) if they experience some sort of hardship together. But the thing is, I can't force them to go if they don't want to go.

People might eventually become closer through time, but I'm looking for ways to speed up the process.

[massgrunt]

What kind of group is this?

[Jay Pan ROKK]

How old are they ?

[Benzine87]

so youve been in the kkk how long?

[Rinksterk]

Originally Posted by Jay Pan ROKK

How old are they ?

Mostly college students. Some are older.

No its not a KKK meeting. To be honest, its a christian group. I have a friend who does this type of stuff and she thinks she's not a good leader. I'm trying to offer her some advice because I don't think just praying will fix the problem. Problem is, I'm not much of a leader myself.

[fullerene]

No sure solution, but if everyone would get something out of the event but is too shy to make it happen, you should try something. I would let them choose what the activity was, but not whether to do it.

Tell them "we're planning a social activity" and have everyone write ideas down on a slip of paper, write them all on a whiteboard or notebook and then discuss and vote on one.

Make sure not to say "we're thinking about having an activity. Who wants to participate?" because with an introverted crowd people won't respond, even if they would really enjoy it.

Also, make sure to come up with a couple of fall-back ideas of your own to submit, in case the group doesn't come up with much.


After you pick an activity, come up with all of the things that need to get done: like renting a hotel/campground, etc., bringing activities, bringing food, arranging travel, etc. You can ask for volunteers, but with a shy group you might have to volunteer someone for each task and then ask them if they're OK with it ("We need someone to make the hotel reservations...Bob can you do that for us?").

[Rinksterk]

Originally Posted by fullerene

No sure solution, but if everyone would get something out of the event but is too shy to make it happen, you should try something. I would let them choose what the activity was, but not whether to do it.

Tell them "we're planning a social activity" and have everyone write ideas down on a slip of paper, write them all on a whiteboard or notebook and then discuss and vote on one.

Make sure not to say "we're thinking about having an activity. Who wants to participate?" because with an introverted crowd people won't respond, even if they would really enjoy it.

Also, make sure to come up with a couple of fall-back ideas of your own to submit, in case the group doesn't come up with much.


After you pick an activity, come up with all of the things that need to get done: like renting a hotel/campground, etc., bringing activities, bringing food, arranging travel, etc. You can ask for volunteers, but with a shy group you might have to volunteer someone for each task and then ask them if they're OK with it ("We need someone to make the hotel reservations...Bob can you do that for us?").

Hey that's a lot like what my friend and I were thinking. Except much more organized and detailed. Thanks. My friend's problem is that she's also not very outgoing but tries very hard. I'll have to be there at times to back her confidence up.

[lastlaugh]

Communicate with them when the group is not together. A personal (not group) e-mail to each about the group cements them in the group. It will make them feel like a part of something instead of an introverted individual. Ask them to comunicate with each other. Something, like I lost Johns number. Can you give him a call and let him know whatever. If they are not going to take the initiative to form a group you have to form it.

[Jay Pan ROKK]

Originally Posted by Rinksterk

Mostly college students. Some are older.

No its not a KKK meeting. To be honest, its a christian group. I have a friend who does this type of stuff and she thinks she's not a good leader. I'm trying to offer her some advice because I don't think just praying will fix the problem. Problem is, I'm not much of a leader myself.

Hmm, full adults then, tough job ...

The leader must find some commom interests among them, it could be movies, books, hobbies so they can share moments by their own will, theater, alive music or chorus for example ...