Develop as a Group

In common with many other groups, LAFs will tend to focus on the ‘work’ i.e. the tasks that are required of it and less on the vitally important development of the group. Forum meetings are an incredibly complex mix of dynamics and they will be much more effective if attention is paid to developing the necessary skills and experience to deal with these. Building teamwork is crucial.  Here are some ideas to follow up:

• Take time to build in opportunities to share each other’s backgrounds, interests, passions etc. The more people get to know and understand each other the more effectively they work together
• Consider sharing out the facilitation responsibilities
• Seek facilitation skills and consensus tools training for LAF members, not just technical access training
• Spend time identifying training needs and committing to forum training - it will be an invaluable investment in building a stronger and more able forum

These issues are well covered in the Blue Book, in particular visit:

p31 - a commitment to training

p40 - learning to work as a team