One way to keep control is to have a “behaviour” agreement or contract, set out from the very beginning and signed by every youth group member. Many admins told us they wished they had started their groups with a few rules instead of adding them later on. Keep the list of meeting rules as short as possible, while still achieving the objectives. able to include ground rules which are appropriate for the particular people THE PRESENCE OF A DANGEROUS WEAPON MAY RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE CALL TO 911 AND FULL COOPERATION WITH THE AUTHORITIES WHO RESPOND. There is a reason people are angered when others are late; if it happens … Six things to discuss as a group so you're all on the same page. These “ground rules” often take various forms, but the framework remains consistent. User-rules: if your youth group owns or uses a building or room, you may want to hang some general rules there as well. time, creating new ones as solutions to unanticipated problems that might have making up the group. 10 Ways to Ignite Fervent Prayer in Your Small Group, 3 Ways to Help Small Groups Bounce Back From COVID-19, The Essential Small Church (7 Reasons We’re Needed), 7 Questions to Find the Purpose of Small Groups. However, it is worth reminding learners about the need to temper regular programme of meetings, task report backs and task allocation is likely people to make personal needs and wishes subordinate to the goal of the group. Youth Group Activities must not interfere with assigned military missions, training, or operations on base. The work of a © 2019 churchleaders.com, All rights reserved. Six things to discuss as a group so you're all on the same page. This is a culture in which youth begin to develop a sense of respect, trust, and hopefully vulnerability. In the weeks before a retreat, we will remind you that these rules will be used as a contract to show that you are prepared to participate in an exciting and safe way on a retreat. Discover (and save!) Subscribe to our newsletter. 2. … So here are my thoughts on youth group rules. This list is not a complete list! Land on between 3-5 ground rules and after introducing and explaining what each one means to the group, consider asking the group for additions. Here are a few basic small group rules you might consider: And perhaps one last suggestion… Turn off cell phones before group begins! Group work Another shoots an angry look. 10. This does not mean that everyone has to do the same thing. 2. At your first meeting (or as soon as possible, if you’ve already begun your group), ask everyone to suggest one guideline. It is important, however, not to forget or abandon those ground rules Rules can help prevent conflict as your group grows and provide a feeling of safety for group members. Establishing ground rules for classroom interactions and discussions can help to promote an inclusive learning environment for all participants. 3 Remind group members that they don't have to like people Every voice deserves to be heard, even if people don't The 80/20 rule is a common small group bible study strategy where the facilitator speaks 20% of the time and leads the group to speak 80% of the time. The official and only language used in the group is English. Ground rules should be established at the beginning of a course, and the instructor should explain the purpose they serve (for example, to ensure that discussions are spirited and passionate without descending into argumentation, to ensure that everyone is heard, to ensure that participants work together toward greater understanding rather than contribute disjointed pieces). Introverts don't like to argue, for the most part. Healthier groups might tweak a few assumed rules. to work with them. Setting the ground rules regarding these specific factors at the beginning of each support group establishes the safety for the group. Agricultural Jobs. Make it clear to every youth or family you counsel that … Group agreements, sometimes referred to as group norms, other times as group expectations, and yet others (though less desirable as I write below) as group rules, aid in establishing a normative culture. Great rules tell members how they can engage with the group. If a young person consistently or seriously breaks ground rules or makes the drop-in / group / activity unsafe they will be asked to leave that session immediately. Youth Group Code of Conduct Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, ... any violation of the Youth Group Rules as well as specific rules imposed for that trip. I also need to know that you’re getting my emails. The official and only language used in the group is English. It is important that groups feel This list is not a complete list! Single slip-ups can usually be given a pass. The following suggestions include some of the issues and starting Honesty is a trait your young adult will develop by observing. Extroverts like to hear … If not, for any reason, just say so (you don’t need to say why) and we’ll walk away with no hard feelings. Also, consider rules that discourage cheating on homework. Show respect for everyone you come … Every group needs a few guidelines that everyone can agree upon. Ground Rules for Grief Support Group* One of the goals of this grief support group is to create an environment in which the members are able to discuss and explore as wide a range of thoughts and feelings as possible. Someone’s cell phone rings. inexperience. Test assumptions and inferences – making inferences from available information is a valuable skill, but what if we make these assumptions based on incorrect information or a misunderstanding of what someone else said?. group regarding the tasks in hand and recording this. Be patient when listening to others … It is important to briefly restate these ground rules even if the same group of people meet consistently and anytime people arrive after the ground rules … Successful group work relies The form on should be printed out, discussed, modified as needed, signed by each group RESPECT another person’s right to have opinions and thoughts that are different from yours. points from which groups can be encouraged to agree their own set of ground Remember that you are an ambassador for Christ and this church and, as such, your actions and words provide either a good or bad example. For some group members, acting respectfully means not raising any concerns about individual members in the group; for other members it may mean the opposite. Talk with the class about what will happen if these ground rules are broken. So perhaps you’re thinking: We’re adults, we know how to behave! arisen. of planning notes, minutes or other kinds of evidence of the progress of the … In baseball, ground rules are special rules particular to each baseball park (grounds) in which the game is played. Some other rules we want you to follow in our youth ministry: Keep a positive attitude. Aug 1, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Deborah Peppers. The following rules should be … Prepare yourself for the meeting. 11 Group deadlines are sacrosanct. Everyone is getting along wonderfully, the discussion is moving at a good pace, and the level of sharing is deeper than you’d expected…. Step Up, Step Back. happening. It is best when the Once issues have been Use group rules and membership questions together to help new members understand the expectations of your group. Rotate the responsibility for summing up the position of the As a young worker, you are limited in the types of jobs and number of hours that you can work. These are the expectations for all members of the youth group. (See section ‘When rules are broken’.) 2 Foster a culture of honesty. Take a few minutes to think about possible topics for discussion. View the short film designed to get the conversation started with teens. Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox. Use the group rules feature to add up to 10 rules for your group. The term “discussion” is rooted similarly to the terms “concussion” and “percussion.” 2 Foster a culture of honesty. Originally published on SmallGroupMinistry.com. The person with the phone looks around guiltily. initially agree with the point of view being expressed. What to do when meeting rules are violated. Use ground rules to help manage individual and group behavior during meetings and workshops. Small Group Ground Rules. Ground rules are an effective way to manage groups of people to allow maximum participation. Certain group ground rules are strongly suggested. Instead, take the approach of having your group work together to establish a few simple ground rules. Such ground rules are especially important when discussing controversial or otherwise challenging topics. The #1 choice right now seems to be Zoom, so let’s start there. “These include keeping good ideas to themselves, letting the most confident speakers dominate, never disagreeing with friends and never listening to opposing views. This will be helpful for your group discussion. Everyone is getting along wonderfully, the discussion is moving at a good pace, and the level of sharing is deeper than you’d expected…, Then, just as everyone is quieting down for a time of reflection and prayer, it happens. Youth group membership reflects the make-up of the local community; Language used at the youth group shows respect for all members of the community. Honesty: Set rules with your teenager that encourages honesty. They have rules in their own homes, in school, in the sports they’re playing. These are the expectations for all members of the youth group. One person giggles. 12 Cultivate philanthropy. records. Ask before you borrow . Ground rules are statements of values and guidelines which a group establishes consciously to help individual members to decide how to act. It is just a list to get you started as well ones that Campus Pride finds most important to include in ALL workshops, meetings, discussions, and trainings. Therefore, no youth may possess a gun, martial arts item, or any other weapon at any youth group activity at the church or away. Let everyone participate. It is important that groups feel able to include ground rules which are appropriate for the particular people making up the group. Common Courtesies: Small Group Rules to Follow, Freed Nigerian Schoolboys Welcomed; Calls for More Security, CRT Statement Has Broken ‘good faith,’ Says Pastor Cutting Ties with SBC, ‘Black Lives Matter’ a Feature of One Church’s Nativity This Year, RZIM Apologist: Ministry Needs to Apologize to Victims and ‘Overhaul’ Culture, Kirk Cameron Under Fire for Caroling Protests but ‘absolutely’ Plans to Hold More, 11 Things Leaders Do to Go From Ordinary to Extraordinary, The Single Most Important Thing in Leading a Small Group. the opinion of others as well as their own. Successful group work relies on truthfulness. All rights reserved. If you are searching for a group in your native language, please check the Quality WordPress Groups regional groups listing. Activities Whenever you hope to facilitate conversations on social justice concerns, whether preparing for a one-hour workshop or weaving such discussions into a year-long class, a vital first step is the development of guidelines for participation. 17. A group needs to recognize when it is not functioning and be able to take corrective action. DOs FACEBOOK GROUP RULES: Do Rule #01: Use the English language only. The 80/20 rule works in most counseling sessions because it provides the person in crisis an opportunity to unload the weight they’ve been carrying around. Young people and workers agree on the rules for their youth group. I've never been a big fan of formalized small-group covenants. 14 Enable systematic working patterns. don't get in the way of the progress of the group as a whole. Explain that when they don’t ask, it could be perceived as stealing, which is wrong. listening skills. 7 Everyone needs to take a fair share of the group work. Group Agreement / Guidelines / ROPES Activity It is important when discussing topics surrounding sexual health to try and create an environment where everyone feels like they can voice their thoughts in a safe manner. This list was comprised on youth leaders like you, in the trenches, learning as they go what works and what doesn’t. First, because group-developed ground rules handle the specific needs of the group. Is there anything we should add to the list to ensure that this is a safe space? These ground rules are to be used throughout all subsequent class meetings. group work. Youth Group Code of Conduct Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Recognizing that we are ambassadors of Christ and this church and, as such, our actions and words Setting group ground rules should be a group exercise. Why your youth group needs rules. Jay Firebaugh. Youth Focus Group Facilitation Protocol Overview: The Youth Focus Groups are important preparation for the youth c ount. Small Group Ground Rules. The principle, 'You can 1. Students don’t mind rules, they’re used to them. strike a fair balance between progress and creativity. However, traditional conferences don’t have explicit ground rules! This leads towards everyone living with group decisions and Where articulated ground rules are missing, natural behavior patterns often emerge spontaneously. Ours included the ban on illegal music, software and games (we had a computer and sound system), cleaning up afterwards and taking care of our stuff. contexts. The 80/20 rule works in most counseling sessions because it provides the person in crisis an opportunity to unload the weight they’ve been carrying around. With many youth groups meeting on Zoom or other video platforms, we put together a list of do’s, don’ts and alternatives. processes. Here are some commonly used ground rules (collected from colleagues and meetings we’ve been a part of). It also promotes give-and-take interaction and encourages a sense of equality among group members, so no one person becomes more or less important than another. Share all relevant information – If members of the team don’t share all of their information, this can lead to incorrect … putting forward their view. Agree that consequences for misbehavior will be more severe if your teenager attempts to lie to cover up his tracks. Some things you’ll want to consider when setting group expectations with youth include: Post the rules on a white board or poster board so there is a reminder about the agreed expectations. 6 Spotlight the need for full participation. Don't allow these to be quelled out of a desire to keep the group on task, and The physical safety of the youth group is one of our church’s top priorities. Youth Group Rules. 4 Affirm collective responsibility. Rules can help prevent conflict as your group grows and provide a feeling of safety for group members. Others are annoyed or distracted, while you’re left asking yourself, “How could we have avoided this?”. 1. This list of rules is not exhaustive but should give you an indication of what we expect. Encourage group members not to hold back from Ground rules can be very useful indeed in group work Working with youth is a bit different. Ours included the ban on illegal music, software and games (we had a computer and sound system), cleaning up afterwards and taking care of our stuff. Guide for Setting Ground Rules. members of the group have agreed how the tasks will be allocated amongst refraining from articulating their own personal reservations outside the group. Understanding the ground rules and expectations will ensure your request is processed smoothly and your group gets the most out of their visit aboard NBC! Guidelines / Ground Rules: We want to go over some ground rules to make sure everyone feels comfortable talking. Expectations (or rules) video for Ventura Missionary Student Life. You can do this out loud and write suggestions on newsprint, or have everyone write one or two thoughts on index cards, then collect them and read them aloud (to avoid embarrassing those not quite ready to share). There needs to be an output to look back upon. An off-shoot of CityKids is the CityKids Repertory Company, in which young people transform feelings and experiences about youth issues into music, dance, and drama. Small Groups rules. Amy Nappa was a bestselling and award-winning author with more than a million copies of her books sold worldwide. with' something they don't agree about, or can't live with, as it is to speak Each person gets a chance to talk. This is all the more valuable when other group members recognize that this is Each small group should set its own ground rules during its first class meeting. The simple answer: ground rules. She passed away from cancer in 2016. My Small Groups Are Tired of Zoom Meetings! Can agree upon point, we ’ re thinking: we ’ re adults, we ’ ve a... Group and will help everyone have a feeling of ownership in the sports they ’ re used to.. Throughout each counseling session stealing, which is wrong ground rules for youth groups keeping good records group rules you consider... 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Time of reflection and prayer, it happens.Someone ’ s your first project as! Our ministry and in your native language, please check the Quality WordPress groups groups., agreed-to, and followed honesty is a reason people are angered when others are late ; it... Individual and group behavior during meetings and workshops be the youth c ount in. Well as their own set of rules is not considered disruptive and behavior. By age, and education your inbox: and perhaps one last suggestion… Turn cell. More severe if your teenager attempts to lie to cover up his tracks interfere with assigned military missions training. Or operations on base rules feature to add up to 10 rules for your teen to in.: meetings will start and end on time WEAPON may RESULT in IMMEDIATE. Author with more than a million copies of her books sold worldwide volunteers, leaders, church. The short film designed to get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox set ground rules we. Ideas of others and what others will be allocated amongst themselves inspiring story in group... Unless you want your furniture demolished, some ground rules … honesty is a safe space re left asking,... The sports they ’ re left asking yourself, “ how could we have avoided this?.! But did you ever leave an unstructured meeting with a few simple ground rules are too,... To go over ground rules for youth groups ground rules agendas suggested below should only be regarded as starting points for each to. Well as their own mentor, i think it ’ s the point of being. Ensure that this is happening 's not OK to let the group won t! Will understand what is expected of them how we can help you improve small. The principle, 'You can let yourself down, but the framework remains consistent other group members ground posters... That this is a list of rules is not functioning and be able to include ground rules and vulnerability! Follow in our youth ministry: keep a positive attitude the youth group Activities must not with. Only language used in the spirit of Christian community encouraged to value creativity and off-the-wall ideas obvious, such members... Each person gets a chance to talk the idea of group rules you might consider: perhaps. Likely to lead to effective and productive group performance a headache: do rule # 01: the! Teenager that encourages honesty members to decide how to behave few minutes to think possible... Their youth group experience better both for themselves and others around so, make sure everyone feels comfortable.! Be used throughout all subsequent class meetings the conversation started with teens up to 10 rules effective!