This plan can be implemented if participants want to meet and continue discovering learning opportunities after the formal activity has ended.

Activity Objectives

• To analyse the pros of forming a professional group of peers.
• To recognise the steps and guidelines used by such groups.
• To enable the formation of a resource group.

Training Methods

• Presentation
• Discussion

Materials Needed

• Handout  attached

Room Set-Up

Chairs arranged in a circle

Learning does not end when the event is over, but most often than never leaders tend to forget some of the things they learned as they return to their busy work lives. A professional resource group consisting of peers provides a regular forum in which to extend learning, share successes, and solve professional problems.

This activity enables your participants an opportunity to create such a group with people they already are acquainted to. Participants have shared similar learning experiences through your event module or series. This is a great foundation for creating a successful resource group.

Step-by-Step Instructions 

1. Provide an overview of the concept by proposing that participants face a dilemma: At the completion of the event, everyone will return to their everyday responsibilities and are likely to neglect some or all of their good intentions to apply what they have learned. Ask volunteers to share how this can happen.

   Introduce a scenario like this: At work, they come across a problem that appears unsolvable. They find themselves wishing that someone else perhaps from the event—was around to help them solve the problem. Ask participants to discuss how often they think this might happen.

2. Introduce the idea of formulating a professional resource group—a group of peers who meet regularly to discuss common issues, help one another solve work problems, celebrate successes, and extend learning.

   Ask if any participants have been members of such a group. Discuss their experiences as you go over the steps involved in forming a professional group.

3. Formulating a Professional Group
   i). Gather about 4 to 6 individuals who are committed to making this idea work. Try to have some diversity of background, skills, and attitudes.
   ii). Agree on a time and place for the first meeting. Allocate approximately two hours for that session.
   iii). At the first meeting, each person shares what she or he wants from participation in the group. Keep notes for future reference.
   iv). Members discuss and reach a consensus on the objective of the group, perhaps even creating a mission statement.
   v). Members agree on a name for the group. (Have fun doing this!)
   vi). Distribute the resource attached to this activity. Together, discuss the principles of your group.
   Examples include:
   – We will openly contribute our knowledge and thoughts.
   – We will attend all of the meetings.
   – We will take the time to prepare for our meetings.
   – We will share ideas, resources, and materials with one another.
   – We will help each other solve problems.
   vii). Select someone to chair the next meeting, and send out reminders and directions.
   Select another member of the group to be the facilitator. (Consider rotating this role.)

   Rotate the location of meetings. You can meet at each other’s offices, at home or meet at restaurants. The host plans the food and sends out reminders. Rotate the facilitator’s duty at each meeting. This person sets the agenda, keeps the discussion on track, makes sure everyone has a chance to participate and keeps track of the time.

   Identify topics for discussion that group members want to cover in the upcoming meetings. Individuals volunteer to prepare a presentation or questions that will help group members delve deeper into the topic. Put aside time at the start of each meeting to give people a chance to share successes and other good news. Periodically conduct a team-building activity.
   viii). Share these following tips for success:
   Outsiders are not allowed to attend unless they are needed as presenters. It is best to assess how the group is functioning on a quarterly basis. Evaluate the topics you have discussed and accomplished in the recent meetings. Review your objectives, guidelines, and updates as needed. Some individuals will want or need to drop out because of other commitments or a shift in their professional goals.

   It is important that others in the group understand and not resent this change. Be sure to identify and appreciating this person’s contributions at their final meeting. Consider naming a replacement. This is sometimes difficult for the remaining members as well as the newbie because the group now has a shared history. It is possible to make this transition, however.

   Review the guidelines for membership, and come up with a list of individuals who meet the criteria. Assign someone to give the newbie some background information on group members, guidelines, and explain anything else that will them tor integrate.

4. Begin establishing the group. Explain that there are several ways to form the group. For example, if you used “work teams” in the workshop for portions of your modules, ask those people if they’d like to continue as a group. Another way is to ask participants to state the kind of group they would like to be in, such as, “Others in my telecommunications
   industry,” “Others who work in my part of the city,” or “A group of only women.” Some people might wish to form a group around a specific topic or issue. Once individuals explain what they are proposing, consider having the rest of the participants get together with the person making the proposal closest to their needs. Once the groups are formed, provide time for each group to either go through the steps outlined in Step 2 or at least to set the time and place for their first meeting.

Now, you know how to start and maintain a professional support group, go ahead and try it. Do give us some feedback, we would appreciate

Activity Review

Take time shortly after conducting this activity to reflect on how it went, how engaged the participants were, and what questions they raised. Take notes that include the amount of time you actually spent on the activity.