New Practice Group Suggestions
Lucy Leu’s Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook pages 13 to 51 has an excellent overview of starting a new group. Having the whole new group read this is suggested.
Issues that can be discussed early when a new practice group is forming:
- Length of each session (2 hours?), frequency of meeting (weekly?), number of sessions (13 sessions to match the chapters of the book?)
- Start and end time of session. When do the ‘doors” open before the session and close after the session for gathering or social time?
- How will the group be led? Who if anyone will bring a “remembrance” poetry/prose and/or a closing activity? Who will prepare the session curriculum? Who will lead empathy?
- Hosting expectations: Food and drink? Privacy? Pets? Wearing scents? Shoes off or on?
- What are the agreements about attendance and timely arrival? Will the host or someone else be called if you will not attend or will arrive later than the agreed upon starting time? Who will contact absent members about calendar changes or other plans for future sessions?
- Will the group be open or closed to new members? If open, how will new members be accepted and/or oriented?
- When will you evaluate if the practice group is meeting needs and if you want to continue the group and/or make changes in how the group works?