SEEDS of CHANGE How To Take a Small Group and Make It Great

Darren Lipman

2-year President of GTCC’s Gay-Straight Alliance

Student Government Association President, GTCC

Have a Meeting

What challenges did you have?

Challenges of Small Groups

• Fewer members

• Fewer resources

• Higher turn-around

• Others?

Fewer Members

• CHALLENGES

– Less people-power

– More dependent on members

• OPPORTUNITIES

– Personal environment

– More individual involvement

Why Do People Join Groups?

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Survival

– Security

– Belonging

– Prestige

– Self-fulfillment

• Support Groups (Security)

• Social Groups (Belonging)

• Service Groups (Self-fulfillment)

Recruiting New Members

• Promotions

• Publicity Events

• Social Media

• Word of Mouth

Fewer Resources

• CHALLENGES

– Less to work with

– Harder to get what you need

• OPPORTUNITIES

– You don’t need a lot to do a lot

– Encourages efficiency and innovation

Leading Strong Meetings • The heart of a strong organization.

• Three general meeting types: – Social Meetings

– Educational Meetings

– Service Meetings

Social Meetings • Purpose

– Support and networking

• Body – Discussions and conversations

• Challenges – Disagreements and dominance

• Solutions – Ground rules, circling the group

Educational Meetings • Purpose

– To educate, inform, or train members

• Body – Presentations, lectures, or workshops

• Challenges – Lack of interest, engagement

• Solutions – Relevant topics and variance

Service Meetings • Purpose

– To plan, organize, or mobilize events

• Body – Brainstorming, planning, reporting

• Challenges – Stalemates and continued interest

• Solutions – Smaller groups and agendas

General Meeting Advice

• Plan ahead for each meeting

• Consistency in time and place

• Send reminders beforehand

• Vary your meeting styles

Successful Event Planning • Don’t be afraid to get group input

• Have a small group decide the fine details

• Involve as many people as you can

• Host inexpensive and simple events

• Promote! Promote! Promote!

Higher Turn-Around

• CHALLENGES

– Members less reliable and consistent

– Group dynamics constantly change

• OPPORTUNITIES

– Beginner’s enthusiasm

– New ideas always at hand

What To Do When You Lose Members

• Don’t mourn lost members

• Make a personal appeal to them

• Ask if they still want announcements

What To Do When You Gain Members

• Be wary of cliques

• Create an inclusive environment

• Make members want to come back

Building a Community

• Use icebreakers to introduce people

• Encourage everyone to participate

• Let people help if they want to

• Settle conflicts swiftly

Building Group Infrastructure

• Be enthusiastic and encouraging

• Listen to your members

• Provide leadership opportunities

• Share your story

Involving People in Activism

• Planning activism is still planning!

– Group input and feedback

– Small groups for the fine details

– Involve as many as you can

– Promote! Promote! Promote!

Involving People in Activism

• Be reasonable and realistic

– No one can change the world in a day

– Look for local events to participate in

• If travel is involved...

– Plan ahead—and have a plan B!

– Carpool to save money and gas

Involving People in Activism • Connect members to individual

opportunities to engage in activism.

• Sign up for newsletters to learn about possible opportunities for members.

• What is successful activism? – If at least one person acts, it’s successful.

Have a Meeting

How did this differ from before?

Questions?

Darren Lipman Email: dslipman@gtcc.edu

Web: thewritingwolf.wordpress.com