Planning Friendship Group sessionsSession 6: 2 hours

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Goal• To integrate principles of group dynamics with practical

ability to plan appropriate Friendship Group sessions for the Wednesday to Saturday conference

• To assist adult and youth co- facilitators in building a positive working relationship in preparation for sharing group responsibilities

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Needs

• Youth Alive participant’s manual

• Power Point slides

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P

Criteria of successful a Friendship Group

• A safe harbor for Friendship Group members during the conference

• Creates format to talk and share about what is being learned

• Creates format for Youth and adult to be connected

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Remember!

• In choosing activities, do not try to push the group –let them move at their own pace

• If Friendship Group is not connected, don’t be afraid to move to a “low risk activity”

• Be flexible

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“Grab Bag” of extra activities

• If one activity doesn’t fly, try another one

• This enables you to meet changing needs of the group

• Tension can be reduced by doing a relaxing game

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Problem-solving

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1. Late member

• Do not make latecomers feel unwelcome

• An appropriate gentle reminder will do

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2. Reluctant participant

• Separately talk with him/her about concerns

• May need referral to TLC counselor

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3. Disagreement between co-facilitators

• Discuss reasons and feelings with “Honor, Dignity and Respect

• Learn to negotiate

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4. Interruptions

• Remind the group of the ground rules

• Have signals between co-facilitators

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5. If one of the participantspresents a major past problem

• Gently ask “How can this FG help now?”

• Support may be the main thing to do

• Demonstrate Christian values

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Making a partnership

• Encourage adult co-facilitator to introduce the “game” activities

• Youth co-facilitator introduces “working” and higher risk activities

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Always ask among yourselves,“How did we do?”

• Group will only thrive if your relationship is thriving!

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Planning together

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Suggested outlines forFriendship Group sessions

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FG Session #1Opening• What is a Friendship Group (FG)?• What do you need for trust?Working• Ground rules development• Name Game• Fire or Scary• Three Truths and a Lie• The Warm Fuzzy StoryClosing• Have group choose their own activity• Can be praying or singing

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FG Session #2Opening• Knots or other team-building game• Vacation

Working• Discuss speakers and activities• Picnic• Making a list• Hey Buddy! Can you spare a compliment?

Closing• Group’s choice

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FG Sessions #3 - 5Opening• Game

– Which ones do participants prefer?• Circle Sway or Trust Walk

Working• Weather Report• Feelings Charade• Feelings Cube• Risk Slips• Tell Your Spiritual Story• Practice Friendship Group gift

– Presentation for Saturday night

Closing• Groups choice Youth Alive Training 19

FG Session #6Opening• What happened today which was special to you?Working• Discussion of questions derived from SS lesson

– Success and Failure– Hat Full of Questions– Singin’ the Blues

• How have drugs/alcohol affected your life? And loved ones’ lives?• How does the program of Youth Alive enhance your relationship with God?• What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get home?

Closing• Group choice

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FG Session #7

Opening• Discuss ending of conferenceWorking• Rehearsal for Friendship Group Gift presentation– Keepsakes– Give Me a Hand– Brown Baggin’ It

Closing• Groups choice (Spinning Yarns is popular)

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Note: Remember to modify this outline to fit the group and its readiness stage!

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• Plan with your co-facilitators what kind of activities to play for each session

• Have more activities planned than you think you will need

• Agree on who will lead what section

• Both co-facilitators should write Warm Fuzzy notes to each FG member

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FG number placards

Small poster/placard with FG number will be given to you to hold up

after the get-acquainted games

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FG 1 FG 2

Evaluation after eachFriendship Group

• What did I do that was effective?

• What did I do that was not effective?

• How do the co-facilitators feel about each other?

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Exposure to FG activities

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Low-risk activity game

Fire

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Low risk activity game

Scary

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Low risk activities

Vacation

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