Managing the Group

• Suggested member roles. o Leader- someone who is responsible for getting each meeting started. o Mediator – someone who is a peacekeeper when things get tense. o Resource person- information or resource gatherer if more information is needed (Can be more than one member, just do not duplicate each other). o Moderator – someone who brings group back to focus when they get off track. o Note-taker – someone who takes meeting notes for the group (see Google Resources page.)

Having group guidelines helps keep everyone on focus and prevents misunderstandings.

• Respectful and understandable communication among members. • What gets shared in the group, stays in the group. • A personal commitment to contribute to the group. • Everyone commits to come prepared (studied the material, bring notes, textbooks, and assignments). • Stay focused on the topics during group time. • Everyone agrees to share information and not be competitive and secretive with other members. • To be supportive and encouraging to other members, even outside of the group setting. • Not to use study group time to complain about instructors, school, or other students. • Each person gets equal time to talk, ask questions, etc.

There might come a time that a change needs to be made the group or with yourself.

Below are some things that can cue you that a change is needed.

• When you feel bored or irritated during the study group sessions. • When other group members are not doing their assignments, miss meetings, or are late to the group. • When you feel like you are wasting your time. • When you no longer look forward to the group. • When you are no longer contributing to the group.