Discussion 2: Building a Group
Hi everyone! As you may have observed and noticed, some chat rooms are the busiest space while some are pretty quiet or slow. That means many factors contribute to group building. It could be the topic, time of the day, members already there, social anxiety, facilitator, and so on. Each one of them has a critical role in keeping the room active and supportive.
The first thing to acknowledge: 7Cups is a global platform. We are available to 189 countries and we have users who speak more than 140+ languages. That is, we have a large group of diversified members and have demographic and cultural differences. But, the challenge is how to connect them.
So, to do that, we structured and created certain rules and policies to facilitate group interaction. One of them is to use English as a common language to communicate. As per the research, 20% of the Earth's population speaks English, that is, the highest percentage for a language used for communication followed by Mandarin.
Then, we placed the chatroom rules regarding what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior in the chatroom so we are able to ensure the room is well moderated, safe, healthy, and compassionate space to connect and interact to get and provide support to each other.
That means to build a group, you need to identify the common grounds, and based on that you can structure a group for group support. Anxiety Support Room, for example, serves the purpose to support the members struggling with anxiety or to share the progress they make and what is working for them. Sharing Circle Room, another example, serves the purpose of the most structured and uninterrupted space to share and vent.
So, how as a group specialist/ facilitator, or leader, one sets up the group is crucially important for its success. One needs to have an eye for details, and structural features of a group to ensure a good environment for participation. It is important to reduce unproductive anxiety, foster compassionate interaction among the members, increase the likelihood of good attendance and active participation, therapeutic processes, and discourage any unhealthy cliques to build a healthy group.
Here is how you build and maintain effective groups!
- Common Ground: Identify shared interests, needs, or experiences to bond diverse members. (e.g., Anxiety Support Room, Sharing Circle Room)
- Clear Structure: Set rules, norms, and schedules to create a safe and predictable environment.
- Facilitator Expertise: Skilled moderators foster compassionate interaction, reduce anxiety, and encourage participation.
- Global Awareness: Respect cultural differences and utilize English as a bridge language.
Question for reflection - Think of one topic you would like to create a group on.
- What is the common ground for the target participants?
- What structure will you put in place?
- How will it be facilitated?
- How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group?
This post is part of the Group Dynamics Course's requirements. More information on the course can be found here. (Not yet launched)
❤︎✨@Hope✨❤︎
Question for reflection - Think of one topic you would like to create a group on.
Coping Skills and Lifelong Goals
For the target participants, the common ground would be sharing coping skills, and interests to help participants live well in their respective daily lives.
What structure will you put in place?
The group will have a description, rules, and a calendar with activities. This will allow for members to be able to have a safe and reliable space to share coping skills and lifelong goals.
There will be group moderators to oversee coping skills sessions, but also there will be member led-sessions while a community moderator provides general supervision.
Language: English
Time Zones: There will be a variety of activities and coping skills sessions facilitated throughout the day, accommodating most time zones, which allow participation by all members.
Differences in culture: There will be ongoing cultural humility training sessions throughout the week. These sessions will allow members the opportunity to learn to be respectful towards the cultures of their peer in the Coping Skills and Life Goals Group.
♡
@Hope
- What is the common ground for the target participants? I want to help others with self care it seems a lot of members do not know about coping skills or how to use it for themselves
- What structure will you put in place? easy guides or sites to visit where they can learn what their going through
- How will it be facilitated? in a support room for it
- How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group? I will stay on the EST time zone ask that participants speak in english so I understand what their asking and let them know every culture handles things differently
@Hope
Self-care
Common Ground:
The listeners and members who are experiencing potentially negative or challenging things in their life can come to this space and find possible methods of self care or also express their difficulty in engaging in self care during their difficulties and want to feel related to or explore methods of self care.
Structure:
- Practical ideas, tips, and methods of self care.
- A space to share experiences both positive and negative in their self care endeavour.
- Lead introductions, and exercises to provide comfort and ice-breakers for the participants.
- Encourage constructive discussion amongst individuals.
Facilitation:
- Provide self-care exercises and activities, check ins.
- Discuss their experiences engageing in different activities and if it is something they would like to consider, why/why not?
Time Zones, Language Differences, and Cultural Considerations:
- Discussions can be hosted at a variety of times to account for differing time zones.
- English will be the main language however cultural perspectives are welcomed to offer different perceptions and insights into what self care is.
@Hope
- What is the common ground for the target participants? the common ground of the target participants are the interests, needs, goals, experiences, or health conditions such as depression
- What structure will you put in place? the structure i will put in place are the rule of engagement, the guidelines,
- How will it be facilitated? it will be facilitated by moderating, guided discussion, clear topics, adapting healthy communication, managing disagreement, and resolving conflicts .
- How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group? using the English can help with help with the differences in culture
@Hope
- What is the common ground for the target participants? Women's Issues
- What structure will you put in place? create guidelines, implement a trigger warnings list, make sure community honors the privacy within the discussion sessions, icebreakers and thoughtful questions to ask when the session is quiet.
- How will it be facilitated? Moderators who have integrity, active listening skills, empathy, honesty and possess open communication skills. Along with me to guide them through to becoming leaders of their own.
- How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group? The team will be inclusive to all same with the sessions, everyone is welcome to participate. I encourage diversity.
@Hope
Question for reflection - Think of one topic you would like to create a group on.
2SLGBTQ+/MOGII
- What is the common ground for the target participants? To provide a safe, supportive, inclusive and welcoming space for all 2SLGBTQ+/MOGII persons
- What structure will you put in place? To place a banner at the top of the room, indicating the purpose of the group. As well, interject intermittently of Group Chat guidelines, referral to other resources (ie Crisis Support, Browse Listeners) as needed.
- How will it be facilitated? I am in the process to reapply for Mod status. However, in the meantime, would facilitate as much as I can, with support from other LGBTQ-friendly Mods, Listeners & Community leaders.
- How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group? Having been on the platform in different time zones, and experiencing differences in that, language differences & cultural difference experiences - I have addressed each occurence with diplomacy, gentle reminders with 7 Cups policy of English on the platform. With language & cultural differences, have approach with asking for clarity questions, if not already volunteered. With having chatted with, supported, persons globally and working with different time zones within those chats, and acknowledging this is a global platform, I have adapted to understand what time zone a member/listener may be communicating from.
