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?
@Hope
Let's reflect on creating a group focused on "Mindfulness and Self-Care for Remote Workers."
Topic: Mindfulness and Self-Care for Remote Workers
Common Ground: The target participants would be individuals who work remotely, possibly feeling isolated or struggling with work-life balance, and seeking mindfulness and self-care practices to improve their well-being and productivity.
Structure:
1. Weekly Online Sessions:60-minute virtual meetings, each focusing on a different mindfulness or self-care theme (e.g., stress management, setting boundaries, mindful communication).
2. Private Online Community: A dedicated space for sharing resources, asking questions, and offering support between sessions.
3. Monthly Check-ins: Participants would set personal goals and check in monthly to discuss progress and challenges.
Facilitation:
1. Experienced Facilitator: A trained mindfulness coach or therapist would lead the sessions, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
2. Interactive Content: Sessions would include guided meditations, group discussions, and practical exercises.
3. Resource Sharing: Participants would receive curated resources (articles, videos, apps) to support their practice.
Addressing Time Zones, Language Differences, and Cultaral Sensitivity:
1. Time Zone Accommodation: Schedule sessions at different times to accommodate various time zones, possibly using tools like World Time Buddy to find suitable times. Record sessions for those unable to attend live.
2. Language Support: For groups with language differences, consider using translation tools or having bilingual facilitators. Ensure all written materials are available in the participants' preferred languages.
3. Cultural Sensitivity: Facilitators would be trained in cultural competence, ensuring practices and discussions are respectful and inclusive of diverse backgrounds. Participants would be encouraged to share their perspectives and experiences, fostering a rich and inclusive environment.
This structure would create a supportive community where remote workers can learn and practice mindfulness and self-care, regardless of their location or cultural background.
@Hope
What is the common ground for the target participants? My topic will be the Narcissists Discussion Group. People who deal with others that lie frequently are not consistent, play head games, create stories and fights, and have egotistical personalities; do not understand their consequences for their actions; and have a lack of emotional intelligence that can suit their needs.
What structure will you put in place? Typing one at a time with a list of all participants in an orderly fashion, introduce yourself with an icebreaker question. We would make a calendar, posters, and emails, and have discussions multiple days of the week.
How will it be facilitated? Everyone will have a turn to speak. I would say, “Do you have personal experiences?” and I would like to hear how this topic relates to you. Speak about myself and refer them to a narcissist support group in their community. I also have done research in the area.
How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group? I will have discussions during different hours and days. Interpreter, translation, learn new languages. I will try and learn their culture and ask questions.
@Hope
What is the common ground for the target participants? My topic will be “Relationships and Communication.”
Building and maintaining relationships
The importance of communication and different ways of communication. It’s important to keep communication going and to be honest.
Support building and improving relationships with people who have narcissism, bipolar depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, etc.
What structure will you put in place? Typing one at a time with a list of all participants in an orderly fashion, introduce yourself with an icebreaker question. We would make a calendar, posters, and emails, and have discussions multiple days of the week.
How will it be facilitated? Everyone will have a turn to speak. I would say, “Do you have personal experiences?” and “I would like to hear how this topic relates to you.” Speak about myself and refer them to a community support group.
How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group? I will have discussions during different hours and days. I can get an interpreter and translation and can learn new languages. I will try and learn about their culture and ask questions.
Hmmm i only login on if need to So I will on do it. On a group that already around but have been not active since The people who run the group left.
1. Disability room
People with disabilities and ally’s.
2 maybe having. The room disability friendly . There zero tolerance rule. About people treats people wrong and no ableism. Having a guided session one day and open chat another day.
3 having trained hosts and mod in room if needed.
4 English having sessions at time times. Be open minded with people coming from different cultures.
@Hope
1. What is the common ground for the target participants?
A common ground would most likely be people looking for ways to improve their mental health through self care. Since this is a broad topic, it can effect a wide range of people, like people who are going through depression, anxiety, and emotional or educational burnout.
2. What structure will you put in place?
I would structure it to respect everyone and their boundaries, since some are not comfortable talking about certain things. I would also make themes every week, to focus on a different aspect of ways to care for themselves every week. For example, journaling, or the benefits of a hobby. Id also have a check in where everyone can share how their are feeling for the day, to see if anyone needs support.
3. How will it be facilitated?
I would create an environment where everyone is comfortable, safe, and heard. Another really important thing I would do is check in on quieter members just to make sure they are okay, incase they are not used to talking to a large group of people.
4. How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group?
Id hold multiple different discussions to make sure everyone in different time zones are able to participate. As for language differences, Id encourage multilingual listeners to engage with others are well as make sure no slang too hard to understood is used to make sure people who did not know English as a first language can understand. As for cultures, I would promote respect for different cultures and their practices to encourage everyone to speak in the group without the fear of judgement.
@Hope
- What is the common ground for the target participants? Disability Support room - that they share the notion in which they struggle to fit in and to be respectful of each others different social, emotional and cognitive processing.
- What structure will you put in place? I would put in place that it's unhelpful to associate the term narcissist with abuse. To a certain extent, we have all said hurtful things to others, whether we had good or bad intentions. Someone with and without a mental health condition can say something hurtful.
- How will it be facilitated? We can share podcast channels on how individuals see and experience the world for those of stigmatised conditions.
- How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group? I will respect these and acknowledge in the room. I will also give space for rephrasing my words if ive given too much or too little context - i feel examples work best!
@Hope
Question for reflection - Think of one topic you would like to create a group on.
I would like to create a group on how to function as an adult/adulting.
- What is the common ground for the target participants?
I am at the age where I don't know how to function as an adult, but I also don't know where to start. I think this is a pretty common feeling, at least among my friends, but some people don't have the same support and role models I do. This need for support will be the common ground of our group.
- What structure will you put in place?
I would probably have the same rules as the other groups already in place. Be respectful, don't spam the group, don't use offensive language, and things of that nature.
- How will it be facilitated?
First of all, I would recruit a moderator to host with me. Otherwise, I would try to be a respectful and engaged leader of the group.
- How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group?
I would try and recruit people to be mods for the group who live in different time zones and speak different languages than I do. As for the differences in culture, I would just remind the people in the chat that this is a judgement free zone.
This. Idea came to me after looking back at the time i guest speaker in disability awareness until a teacher I knew did it every year.
1 disability awareness/ education.
2 every one treats each other with respect and no room for people being mistreated and no ableism. If they have question they can ask.
Goes from education on disabilities , guest speakers about different disabilities , followed by ama and finally disability related topics ableismect.
3 have mods and room supporters in place that have a background in disabilities.
4 try have sessions in different time zones
@Hope
Question for reflection - Think of one topic you would like to create a group on.
I would like to create a group on Fun activities and it can be like Listener Fun Room/ Member Fun Room
What is the common ground for the target participants?
- The common ground would be to have fun and relax in the group, leaving behind all their stresses. Everyone goes through a lot of things individually in their life and there are very rare moments we have smile on our face or feel happy within. So a group should be there where people can actually get that happiness, even it's for a brief period of time.
What structure will you put in place?
- It has to be a shared space where everyone feel safe.
Boundaries should be place.
Guidelines will be presented at the beginning and everyone has to abide by that.
It has to be a place where everyone can voice themselves or just choose to participate and see others, if that what makes then happy.
The community guideline should be adhered all time.
How will it be facilitated?
- There's surely a huge role of a facilitator in any group support. And tis will not be any different.
Facilitators of the group should make sure that the group is safe and boundaries are in place.
Because this is fun group, they have to set the atmosphere which can be easily rubbed off. There active participation is of utmost importance. They will be the vibe setter and have the responsibility to keep the mood intact.
How will you account for time zones, language differences, and differences in culture if it is a cross-cultural group?
- I would like to analyse in first couple of session in which time-zone users are more interested in participating. Also I can ask the listeners directly in the Listener Support Group and other groups that in what time they would be available. From there I think I can have a fair idea of which time would be good.
English is the chosen language for the site so it will only be fair to keep it English only.
For Cross-Cultural group I would say, everyone should feel welcoming. Because the group is to have fun, we can learn from each other what their fun is like and different ways of implementing too to make it better ans more accessible.
Lastly, I think it will take some sessions to understanding each other's likings and what actually we can achieve through that. But everything needs a nudge before. So this can act as a nudge or s push which will eventually go further with time, intention and collaborative efforts. 🦋
Thank you for reading this far 🙏
