Self-assessment of co-facilitating a group session

Name: Alicia Rinks                                Date: 2/7/2018                              Time: 11:00 am- 11:40 am

Group Title: "Seven Heads Are Better Than One"

Based on my contribution to the written group plan, I feel like I sufficiently took part in constructing and editing the document for submission. I enjoyed learning my other co-facilitator's ideas throughout the process. As a team, we were able to be creative, and ironically enough, learn to collaborate ourselves in order to create a group protocol centered on collaboration.

My main job as a co-facilitor when leading the group was the introduction and the ice breaker activity for the group. I felt as if I did explain the purpose clearly as well as communicated our expectations for the group in the beginning. I also allowed for introduction of the leaders as well as the members. I did not, however, outline a definite time frame for the group. During the first activity, I explained the instructions and allowed for the members to gather the materials needed for participation. After partnering up, I told the members when to begin and answered questions as needed.

After my role in facilitation, I continued to encourage the members in the following activity as well as throughout the sharing and processing parts of the session. I attempted to stay positive and not create a stressful environment from my own personal attitude. Instead, I chose to take steps back from the activities and allowed for the members to work out and accomplish goals on their own. The idea was collaboration among the members, and I wanted the members to work together and through conflict resolution. The group did get off topic at times and while I could or maybe should have stepped in, I honestly enjoyed watching it play out. I was better to able observe natural personalities come out within the group if I wasn't exerting too much control. I wanted to see how the collaborated more naturalisticaly.

As far as my strengths and weaknesses are concerned, I believe that my personality type can be both a strength and weakness when leading a group. I can be too relaxed and not always take control when others may. Given if the group derailed completely, I would definitely regain control and focus the group's attention back to the task at hand. However, I will tend to let the group deviate slightly just because it builds relationships and trust within the group. The group has a more relaxed feel allowing for better observation. This could also serve as a weakness because the group is more likely to get off task without enough control from my end.