goal sisters

Ann answers some of the most frequently asked questions about facilitating a Goal Sister group:

How Will I Benefit from Facilitating a Goal Sister Group?

This group will help you create an individual life plan for a balanced life. The process will teach you how to find prospective Goal Sisters while helping you to determine how to have what you really want. You will be challenged to stay committed to accomplishing your own goals. And you will celebrate your small steps to big changes with those who sincerely care about your success.

How Will the Group Participants Benefit?

Each member will experience and enjoy the exchange of ideas, resources and support. Each member will receive immediate feedback from the entire group, not just one person. Each member will also use the process to find a long-term Goal Sister, in addition to the friendships she develops in the group.

What Are My Responsibilities as the Facilitator?

As the group leader, you will see that each member has a chance to share news of her progress and that each member is held accountable for what she says she will do (you won’t be the only task master - all members will hold each other accountable). You’ll also be responsible for:

~ Preparing materials for the activities and introducing these activities to the group

~ Keeping track of the time and pace of each meeting

~ Setting up and cleaning up the meeting place

~ Sending reminder emails to the members regarding the next meeting

~ Encouraging members on the action steps they’re working on in any particular week

~ Crisis management and referral

Do I Need to Have Special Qualifications to Lead a Group?

No, but you will want to take a look at your own life before starting a group. Do you have the time to take on this group now? Are there people in your life who are willing to help you if you need assistance with childcare, transportation, or other needs? Do you see yourself being energized by serving as a facilitator? Are you excited about the group because you know you will get some terrific support for your goals as well?

Being a facilitator will stretch you in ways that being a group member will not. You will have great opportunities to learn about group dynamics, increase your communication skills, and create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for your members. You will enjoy a sense of satisfaction when the group is successfully concluded, knowing you facilitated growth and acceptance for all the members.

Will I Get Paid for This? Sounds Like a Lot of Work!

No, you won’t receive any compensation from your group members or me. Some leaders ask for a set donation from the group members to help pay for materials and photocopying. Other Sisters volunteer to photocopy materials or to bring snacks to the meeting. Remember, you can ask for help with any of this!

Copyright © 2004-2010 by Michelle Beaulieu Pillen, Ph.D., and Ann Leach. All rights reserved. No part of this Web site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise.