Women Together I: Steps for starting a new group
Consider the characteristics of your congregation. Are you:
Small: no women’s group
Large: a mix of full-time homemakers and women working outside the home
Integrated: men and women work jointly on committees, leadership
Traditional: an established women’s group meets some needs very well
Urban: many professional people, possibly a number of university students
New and growing: people of many backgrounds
Answer the crucial question:
Are women’s needs for growth and service being met in our congregation?
Ponder the possibility of women doing something about it!
Take first steps:
Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Talk to others, including a wide diversity of individuals.
Uncover needs and ways to meet them. Consider the different types of groups that might serve women in your midst.
Plan an event; along with a program or socializing, schedule time to talk and dream about growth and involvement.
Discuss goals and objectives, guidelines, structure, and program.
Pray about your discoveries.
Select several people to refine and organize these ideas.
Follow through in a committee:
Prioritize needs and set goals, choosing ones which can be met simultaneously and within time constraints of women. Trying to do everything is a sure formula for burnout. But focusing on one area will allow you to do that one thing with energy and creativity.
Outline objectives—list methods to use in meeting your goals.
Establish guidelines—decide on details of frequency, place, publicity, format, components, etc.
Determine the structure needed—look at tasks required to carry out the above and assign persons accordingly. Keep structure in line with needs.
Plan and implement your program:
Pray.
Be open-minded; try new things.
Keep your goals in mind.
Help women to “own” the program; involve local women.
Assign and delegate tasks for a smooth operation.
Publicize with clarity.
Relax. Enjoy the preparation and the event. Let your efforts be good enough.
Evaluate:
After a period of time or a particular event, sit down with other planners to discuss your program. Were goals met? Should the same activities be repeated? Why? Why not? How often? (Sample evaluation questions available in Women Together 2.)
—Adapted from a brochure by Marian B. Hostetler, Women in Mission and Women’s Missionary and Service Commission 1990-91 resource packet
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From Women Together: Ideas for Women's Groups, volume 1. Printed booklets of Women Together 2, with no duplicated material, are available for $8 U.S./ $10 Cdn. plus postage and GST.
U.S. residents: Send checks for $8 U.S. (payable to Mennonite Women USA) to the MW USA office. Use our order form.
Canadian residents: Order directly from the Canadian Mennonite Resource Centre; you will be billed $10 Cdn. plus postage and GST. E-mail your order or call toll free: (866) 888-6785. |
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