General Functions
- Assist the organization in negotiating all member roles.
- Express sincere enthusiasm and interest in the organization and its activities.
- Be open to criticism by the members. Work with them to re-evaluate your role. Be willing to be wrong.
- Allow the organization to be on its own from time to time. You can demonstrate your trust in them by pulling back for a short time; however, do not pull back too far or they may feel you have lost interest. If you never step back, they may feel you are a ‘mother hen.’
- Act as a positive critic to the members. Give them feedback on how they are doing.
- Make suggestions through organization members, rather than to the whole group.
- Be aware of any and all procedures and regulations affecting the organization. Assist them in adhering to the regulations.
- Encourage the organization to keep records and evaluations on file. Procedures for passing this information on should be developed.
- Try to encourage the assignments of tasks to all members. If a member merely comes to meetings and listens, he/she will readily lose interest.
- Use the tools you have to assist the organization. Discussion methods, goal setting, role negotiating, small sub-groups, group representatives, role-playing etc.
- Share problems with other professionals in order to get advice.