M1 - Learner Manual

7.13. Encouraging all group members to participate equally

Principles of Planning Group Activities

Participation in activities depends on reward

For the members to remain involved and interested over long period of time, they must receive satisfactory rewards. The two kinds of rewards possible are gratification of member’s need for such things as dominance, friendship, intimacy, opportunity to test ideas, and so forth; and satisfaction with group accomplishment of tasks.

Group works and employing energy on felt problems

The only matters on which group members will expand energy are those which they feel are problems, things about which they have feelings which they must deal with. Therefore, the survey of problems suggested by members is the starting point of the group activities.

Leadership is by team

Leadership is an important factor in group activities. This should be within the group. This kind of leadership encourages free expression of feelings and opinions and guides the group into action.

Membership should be based of willingness to work and not ideology

The basis of participation in group activities should be willingness to work in group. As long as there is willingness to work on problems ideological differences can be settled or avoided.

Activities should be problem centred

Members of the group must know that what, they are organising and doing, is for their welfare and for the solution of the problems.

Strategies for encouraging participation[1]

Within any large group of people you will generally find that there is someone who is quiet and keeps to themselves. This may be due to:

• the nature of the person
• a lack of confidence
• a lack of knowledge in the area being discussed
• them not being able to get a word in
• other members of the group being overbearing 

You will not always be able to get this person to be more involved, but there are a few things you can try to help encourage them to have input.

• Provide them with information on the subject prior to the meeting.
• Ask open questions to the whole group, but direct your eye contact away from those members who are constantly holding the floor.
• Manage discussions so everyone has the opportunity to have input.
• Speak to the person before and after the meeting to see if you can find out why they do not have input into discussions.
• Give that person a job in an area they know about and are confident in talking to others about.