Facilitator Guide 1: Agenda

Use the Agenda When:

• Every meeting
• Someone’s Check In goes on too long

Why the Agenda Is Important:

• Familiarizes group members with the support group structure and core values
• Allows the group to focus primarily on group work
• Allows participants to get their one to two minute stories in with no questions or interruptions

Steps: Welcome

1. Introduce facilitators and acknowledge new people. Ask them how they found out about the group and point out the resource table/membership information.
2. Let them know that this group is for individuals ages eighteen and older.
3. Give out Principles and Guidelines Handout (or place on chairs before the meeting).
4. Point out the Agenda that will be followed for the meeting.
5. Read the Group Guidelines description and ask group members to do a read-around of the Principles of Support Chart or Handout.
   1. Say, “By a show of hands, can we agree to observe these Group Guidelines and accept these principles during this group?”
6. If one of the facilitators is a trained/certified mandated reporter they should disclose this to the group at this time. This is to inform group members so that they can determine if they want to share in the group. (You may skip this step if neither facilitator is a mandated reporter or there are no new participants.)
   1. Say, “Group safety and confidentiality are of chief importance in our group. Confidentiality is only broken if someone’s safety is at risk.”
   2. Then describe the requirements of your license/certification. For example, “I am a certified peer specialist and any abuse or suspected risk of harm to others in our state, I have to report to the appropriate authorities, and for everyone to feel safe.”
7. Introduce Check In.
   1. Say, “We’re going to go around the circle and ask you to briefly tell us your name, and what is happening in your life right now.”
   2. “We’ve set a time limit of [one or two] minute[s] each using sand timers, so we will have plenty of time for the group to talk by limiting a few notes at the top of today.”
   3. “Remember that we have a pass rule; anyone can pass for any reason. I’m going to start.”

Transition from Check In to Group Work/Discussion

1. Address any crisis scenario first.

   ”_____, it sounds like you are struggling right now. Let’s focus on your situation first.”

2. Ask if anyone in the group has a pressing dilemma.

   “Does anyone have something urgent they need time for tonight?”

3. Listen for themes.

   “Several of you are concerned about living arrangements. Let’s start with that.”

4. Generalize a specific situation.

   “You’re facing a problem that’s come up for a lot of us. Tell us a bit more.”

5. Do the quick fix.

   “I think _____‘s situation can be helped right away. Let’s hook him/her up with some immediate resources from NAMI and our NAMI Affiliate.” [Give out phone numbers or written materials at the end of the meeting.]

Group Work

Use the charts and your Facilitator Guides to move the group in an active way. Point to the charts and follow the Facilitator Guides step by step; they are all there for a reason.

Steps: Closing

1. Five minutes before the end of the meeting, start to signal the end of the meeting.
2. Thank everyone and recognize the bravery of the participants in getting through tough times.
3. Thank those who came even while things are going well; their contribution to the group discussion was invaluable.
4. End the meeting on an upbeat, positive note. Optional endings:
   1. “Now that we’ve heard from the group, is there a Principle or a motivational reading (materials provided should be non-religious in nature).”
   2. Ask everyone to take turns and say one thing that they will do for themselves in the next week. You start.