Leadership of Growth and Accountability Groups

Many groups select or elect a group leadership to direct the activities and handle the administrative matters of the organization. Some of the duties might be:

1. Lending support for the rules and the group mission statement.
2. Insuring the meetings are safe places where honesty and healing take place.
3. Conducting the group meeting following an agenda.
4. Making assignments for prayers, lessons, music, refreshments, etc.
5. Assisting group members with purchasing Evergreen instructional materials, if necessary.
6. Reporting group activities to priesthood leaders.
7. Working in cooperation with the group advisor to insure program progress.

Many successful groups change leadership every six to twelve months to provide opportunities for as many individuals as possible. in some groups, the group leadership is elected by the members. Other groups prefer to have the advisor, working with the previous group leadership, appoint an individual to serve with the sustaining vote of the group members. In larger groups, the group leader may select one or two assistants. The group leadership can meet with the advisor to review the progress of the group, set agendas for group meetings, design group goals, or see to any other business that may be needed.

It is usually wise that group leaders not serve more than a year. This allows wide participation and growth opportunities for a variety of individuals in the group. It also helps avoid the tendency for an individual to feel ownership of the group.

While the group leadership can set an example and encourage members toward success, they should be careful not to give counsel to individuals (unless it is a part of the discussion group process where suggestions to each other are encouraged). The group leadership should be careful not to speak for the group in public settings.
 

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