As homeschool group leaders, we all face it at one time or another. The temptation to fuss about how much is on us and how no one is helping.
I've fallen into that trap. Here's the way out.
Connect and communicate
This post will deal with the first of these two: connect. The truth is that, as leaders, we are in a servant position. We must remember that the group members are not there to serve us, we are there to serve them. Now, before you faint from the thought of all that could put on you, let me offer you a way through. . . connect with your members and they will be much more likely to serve alongside you.
How many times has a friend called on you for help and you ran to their aid? Now, how many times has that happened with a total stranger. The reality is that we help people we know more often than people we don't. The lesson for leaders is this: know your members.
Are you crazy, you say? Yes! Crazy about caring.
You may not be able to personally know each person in your group, but someone else can. Touches are simple--as simple as a welcome at the beginning of each gathering.
Connecting with your members is really very simple and there are lots of creative ways to do it. But the effort of knowing your members will really pay off in the long run in making everyone feel at home, including you!
I've fallen into that trap. Here's the way out.
Connect and communicate
This post will deal with the first of these two: connect. The truth is that, as leaders, we are in a servant position. We must remember that the group members are not there to serve us, we are there to serve them. Now, before you faint from the thought of all that could put on you, let me offer you a way through. . . connect with your members and they will be much more likely to serve alongside you.
How many times has a friend called on you for help and you ran to their aid? Now, how many times has that happened with a total stranger. The reality is that we help people we know more often than people we don't. The lesson for leaders is this: know your members.
Are you crazy, you say? Yes! Crazy about caring.
You may not be able to personally know each person in your group, but someone else can. Touches are simple--as simple as a welcome at the beginning of each gathering.
"Welcome to all our first time guests! We are so glad you are here. We hope youThen have a designated person or two who greets each visitor, and discovers two cool things about their family and introduces them to at least one other person. Your designated person reports to you what they found so you stay in the loop and you plan a second "touch." Maybe a very short personal invitation to your next group event. I've done this before. It works very well.
find a home with us."
Connecting with your members is really very simple and there are lots of creative ways to do it. But the effort of knowing your members will really pay off in the long run in making everyone feel at home, including you!
Blessings!
Kristen
2 comments:
Keeping the lines of communication open and touching those who come into the group is so important. A group cannot be effective if the newbies don't feel a part of it or the members don't feel they are valuable and unique.
We have many greeters who are quick to take a new mom under their wing, taking pressure off of the leaders directing the meeting. We know our newbies are being well cared for and they usually come back!
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