Discussion 01: Introduction to Group Support
Before we dive into the Group Leadership & Development aspects, it is important to know what 7Cups Group Support.
As per Merriam Webster Dictionary, Group is a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying relationship. While group dynamics are the attitudinal and behavioral characteristics of a group. It is focused on how groups form, their structure and process, and how they operate. More specifically, why and how groups develop.
This is what you will notice in the 7 Cups Group Support. 7Cups started with providing support 1-1s. But as we grew up, we realized that 1-1s are not enough. There is a need for group interaction as well. To meet the community's needs and demands, we added group support. We created and used chat rooms to structure a safe environment to facilitate group support. We have dedicated chat rooms for both listeners and members to provide support as per their needs.
Currently, we have more than 150+ chat rooms to serve different purposes and needs of both members and listeners community for both adults and teens. Amazing! Right?
We are a vast community and we recognize our diversified members and their needs and demands. And, these chat rooms became safe spaces to connect, interact, engage, learn, share, and grow collectively. These rooms are not only used for support reasons but also to brainstorm and problem solves, celebrate small and big achievements, and gain a sense of belonging to this community.
Moving forward, we identified the needs of moderating these rooms, so we introduced the chat room moderator role, figured out we need facilitators to lead different sessions in the chat rooms, so added Support Session Leader and On-spot Host as the recent addition to it. We figured out the safety issues in the chat rooms, and we badge locked the rooms. So as we learned more about the needs and demands, we kept iterating and evolving group support for better experiences and support for everyone. We are on a journey to build the best group support. And, we will continue to progress …
Discussion: Share 3 highs and 3 lows you experienced in the group support chatroom!
Activity: Respond to at least two of your fellow trainees' comments with thoughts on their share.
After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next discussion here! Ensure to implement the learning from these discussions in the chat rooms to build and support the group. You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these discussions to successfully complete the program.
@ASilentObserver
3 highs would be that I experienced in the group chatrooms is that everyone is mostly supportive of others, its a great way to meet people around the world dealing with the same issues as oneself, and it allows you to be supported by more than 1 person.
3 lows I have experienced is that there is a lack of engagement in some rooms more than others, some people can be shut out or unheard because of how fast or how much others are typing, and some members might use it for more 1 on 1 support instead of actually requesting a 1-1
@Endure777
I agree with your high points! Group chatrooms can be very helpful for many of us to communicate and get to know each other as well as relating with each other on many various topics and issues. 😊
@Endure777
I completely agree with what you said while i was in the chatrooms i felt like it was so crazy and not heard. no matter if you have mods or not group chats arent really affective all the time
@ASilentObserver
My Group Chatroom Experiences
My 3 Highs:
- During my time as member returning to 7cups a few months back, there were multiple chatrooms that were very welcoming, especially the Mindfulness discussion group and the Sharing Circle. I've met many members and listeners alike who were very kind and friendly to talk to.
- I find it easy to engage in the group chat if the discussion is suitable for me and my interests. Additionally when I reach out for help or guidance, especially from other Listeners in their respective chatrooms, it really feels great to know there are others who were willing to help me.
- I like that there are badges of certain roles to distinguish members/listeners from others so that it's easier for us to reach out to someone whenever we need help or guidance. Also, with members also earning badges of their own, I believe it creates a sense of accomplishment for their experience being around in group chatrooms often and engaging/ helping with other members.
My 3 Lows:
- A crowded chatroom given its current design and interface can definitely be overwhelming and difficult to follow, resulting less interest in continuing to participate in the ongoing discussion, especially when there are members who type slower than others.
- Being both a participant and host in a Sharing Circle is also difficult when there are members and trolls who would purposely interrupt other members' shares, ignite conflict/ triangulation within the chatroom between members and listeners alike, thus wasting time and affects many others' experience being in the chatroom. I have experienced this during my first few days here as new Listener.
- Misinterpretation of messages/ social cues can also be difficult to deal with in a group chat setting. I had a member message me personal feedback against my hosting in SC over certain messages I've said that were perceived as rude and creates a whole misunderstanding. I'm still quite upset about this because text-based chatting can be very hard to read if people intend to express certain moods, or if people mistake it as something offensive. This can affect many other users who are interested to continue participating in group chatrooms.
@OakSerenity
I agree that the group are more welcoming especially when you return from being off for awhile and i agree with the social cues however i do think you can get a slight sense of how people are reacting in the group chat beside on how long you know them or what words they use. I also agree that it does get too crowded in some chatrooms. Welcome back by the way.
@ASilentObserver
highs
1. you can talk to more people at once.
2. you can see what others might need help with or what they want to see in the community
3. it is broken up into different chats like depression, anxiety etc.
lows
1. people talk all at once
2. some people might not feel heard
3. it is hard to follow what people are talking about in the chat even when you pay attention
I agree, unfortunately it can happen that people might not feel heard.
That's why it's wonderful to be inclusive and welcoming those who enter
And it can be tricky when the chat is going fast.
But it is amazing how the chats are divided by topic, I find that to be very helpful
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@AnnaSilverberg
Also group chats arent really great for people who have disabilities like me
When I was a newbie listener and I wasn't sure about how the LSR worked,
the listeners there were so welcoming and kind.
That made me feel like I was already a part of this community,
even though I just joined.
When I first started as a Room Supporter for Trauma room and
was hosting for the first time and every member was so welcoming.
It made me feel like I was in the right spot.
The members were also so very open and willing to share.
When I first hosted in the Positivity Corner and I saw how enthusiastic everyone were.
That was absolutely amazing, how everyone were active in the room and had fun.
My 3 lows:
When I was a Newbie in the LSR and a person made fun of me for being gullible,
I didn't know everything about how things were so I accepted their words as
they were true and logical. When they then laughed, it made me feel hurt.
But I remained calm just the same.
I don't think I can name two more, it will require a whole lot of thinking at least.
So, that makes me feel that it will not be much of a low for me.
If I see something wrong going on in a Chatroom, I don't ignore it, I seek solutions.
I try my best to make sure that the atmosphere is positive and supportive.
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@AnnaSilverberg great thoughts on your highs and lows, very thorough!
@AnnaSilverberg
It is great you felt welcome entering into LSR & beyond!
Discussion: Share 3 highs and 3 lows you experienced in the group support chatroom!
3 highs: having members message me privately to thank me for helping, getting to know both the listener and member community, seeing everyone rally together to support each other.
3 lows: feeling exhausted when the group gets active and there are a lot of messages, conflicts when members don't feel listened to, when members get upset and leave
For me, highs of the group can be a full participation, everyone getting along and being respectful of others' experiences. the lows can be conflicts that get out of hand, too much people talking once making it feel overwhelming for some and those that purposely disrespect others' intentionally
@WinterRose9
great insight on group dynamics! I love how you get all different answers from the members and there is never really the same answer twice.
@ASilentObserver
Three highs I have experienced in group support are inclusivity, bonding, and referral information when necessary. For most of the times I've been in group support rooms, everyone was inclusive, welcoming all those who come in. The chats were supportive for everyone involved and all had a chance to express their experiences. Such support chats in a group setting, as I have noticed, have helped members feel closer to the person that is listening to them. If the person happens to be a listener, they will already have a bond and good rapport if they decide to talk in one-on-one messages. I've also noticed that users share very helpful links and information on how to navigate and get support on 7 Cups in many different ways.
As for three lows, members tend to be a lot less professional than listeners since they are in a vulnerable emotional state usually. Sometimes, I see two users typing very quickly and taking over the group support room with their fast-paced conversation. And lastly, I've noticed that some members view the member group support chat rooms as member-only and they ignore listeners in the room.
@ChillingRain
You bring up some very positive points, as well as a some val8d points on the low side, too! It is gteat to see the inclusion & support group rooms privide. Yea!
As well, I understand the negativity/low stuff too, especially in member rooms. You made some very valid points.
@ChillingRain
Fast paced conversations are definitely hard to jump into and keep up with. That's a struggle I'm sure those using mobile app also face even more with the lag playing into effect. But I'm glad you've also had some positive experiences.
@ASilentObserver
3 Highs (positive):
- being welcomed into most any room.
- being thanked for my contributions by Mods, Listeners & members
- interaction with a diverse range of people & cultures
3 Lows (negative):
- negativity towards Listeners in a chatroom, while being in my member acvount
- efforts to try & keep member chatroom on topic
-effort to to onvite other Listeners into LCR
@CaringSub
I hear you, it can be tough to get LCR active at times as most listeners like myself prefer to hangout in LSR where light chat is also permitted when there's no question. And in regards to keep member chatrooms, that's a challenge many has faced after spending just a little time in rooms such as MCR. Although it's intended to be light hearted, more often than not, it turns into support room periodically.
@CaringSub
Good points. I agree with your opinion. Keep up the good work!
@ASilentObserver
I've shifted my focus to mainly hosting CDM office hours and study sessions in student support community. It's a change from when I initially started hosting in SC and LSC.
3 highs during group support experiences
1) Connect with new friendly supportive members from the student support community now that I've started hosting regularly in that room, and taken the position of group support mentor for that sub-com.
2) Answering questions people had CDM academy program and spreading awareness regarding this program and others available on 7Cups.
3) Helping out new listeners by sharing resources in LSR and TL. Along with hanging out with teenie listeners in TL with cookie and pizza parties.
3 lows during group support experiences
Note: I'm reusing my response from last time I did GSP, when my focus was on SC, as I haven't had any bad enough experience lately for me to write about.
1) Someone openly called me 'idiot' after I volunteered to take over leading a Sharing Circle session because the host who volunteered earlier had to leave early.
2) Triggering topics for me personally sometimes pop up without warning while I'm the host. I had to hide my emotions and feelings in front of others because com mods were caught up in another room and could not take over hosting. (I've since learned that I can set a timer and step away if triggering topics pop up and I'm the host.)
3) Members continuously talk over me when I'm trying to go over the introduction and guidelines while I was the host. It made me feel ignored, and I felt frustrated. As a result, newcomers miss the guidelines, and I end up having to repeat myself.
@Takitoteka
I understand when in member rooms, of being talked over, as well as 'trigger' topics.
@ASilentObserver
Highs:
When I realized that members in the member community room enjoy and appreciate my presence because they were joking that they wanted me to be a community mod.
The relationships that I have made in the listener support room and realizing that some people are still around after I took a long self care break.
Leading my first listener check in. It was fun and so many people supported my first check in.
Lows:
One time I was the only listener in a member chat room and someone came in and was really rude. Having to find a mod was overwhelming to me. But I did it and the person actually ended up apologizing.
I can’t really think of any other specific lows. I have experienced a couple of uncomfortable situations but I wouldn’t consider them lows.
@Kristynsmama
I am glad you had a positive experience. :) It's good to see that you wrote little about the low.
Yeah I really enjoy the chatrooms and have had very few bad experiences.
