Group and Self Awareness Activity
Most
of you have probably been living/working as a lay volunteer a little over a
month and are now just on the brink of stepping form the "honeymoon
stage" to reality, both the good and the bad. This activity is
designed to help you learn more about the members of your community, co-workers,
and yourself. Have fun with it, but be sure to be honest.
Fortunately, your year is still young and you have plenty of time to grow
individually and as a community.
For those of you who do not live in community, or for anyone who
would like to get "double mileage" out of this activity, try this
activity with your co-workers. Maybe all of the staff members would like
to participate, or perhaps this could be used as a means to evaluate yourself
with you supervisor. Another option is to play the solitaire version.
You will notice the statements are coded: C=community related;
W/C = work and community related
We realize that some issues may arise which are not so
"fun." We will leave it up to all of you to call "time
out" if the atmosphere gets too intense, and to work things out at a later
date, perhaps even with an outside mediator.
This activity is set up to offer you several variations to fit
your current and future needs. It's purpose is to open up discussion or to
evoke awareness pertaining to how you relate to others on an individual basis or
in a group.
GUIDELINES:
 | Set a time limit for the total exercise
|
| Write out each statement below on paper, fold in half, and put in
a pile.
|
| Each player takes a turn choosing one slip of paper. (Player
has the option to choose a new statement if he/she desires)
|
| One at a time read each statement aloud and answer honestly if you
agree or disagree with it.
|
| Give each person a chance to support or question your answer and
take time to listen and to discover the opinions of each member of
your group.
|
| Upon completion of the exercise, follow up with the discussion
questions below.
|
| Solitaire Version: Choose the
statements which relate to your current experience. Journal or
reflect your responses.
|
|
| (C) I am usually the one who
takes the initiative in planning special events/weekend trips for the
community, |
(C) It upsets me if someone from
my community doesn't show up for a scheduled event. |
| (W/C) I tend to "pitch
in" and help even when something is not my designated work
assignment or chore. |
(C) I like it when others in my
community have friends/family/boyfriends/girlfriends visit. |
| (C) When there are special
beverages or food in the house, such as soda, chips, pizza, etc., I
eat/drink as much of it as possible because I don't know when these
items will be around again. |
(W/C) When I have a
problem with someone, I go directly to that person to address the issue,
as opposed to going to other co-workers or community members. |
| (C) I would like to see my
community include more people (especially those we are serving) into our
groups. |
(C) I think some of the habits I
have annoy or upset members of my community. |
| (W/C) I am usually conscious of
others' needs in my work place/community, asking them how things are
going and listening to their responses with interest. |
(W/C) I tend to do my designated
work assignments/chores on time and without having to be prodded by
other co-workers/community members to do so. |
| (W/C) When I am having personal
problems, this does not affect the way I relate with members of my
office/community. |
(W/C) I have a real sense of
comradery with the people in my office/community. |
| (W/C) I keep things that bother
me to myself. |
(C) I enjoy eating meals/praying
(choose one) together. |
| (W/C) I am aware of my own needs
as a member of my office staff/community and am not afraid to express
them. |
(W/C) I discuss differences with
co-workers/community members at appropriate times (i.e. not in front of
others and not during stressful times). |
QUESTIONS:
