Group Observation

This assignment requires students to attend one community group meeting where they can observe the skills of a group facilitator and write a critique of the meeting. The community group can be from a variety of settings. Groups to consider are as follows:
• Support Groups
o Alcoholics Anonymous or other types of anonymous groups
o A church/religious group (e.g., grief support groups)
• Educational Groups
o A social service agency group (e.g., mental health awareness)
o Parenting Skills
• Task Groups
o Local nonprofit Board meeting
o PTA meeting

Group Observation: Groups can be clinical, but do not have to be.
• Identify available groups in your community via a google search.
• Consider if you need to contact the host organization or person of the group to determine if the group is an open group to the community (i.e., open attendance) or there is an eligibility criteria that must be met in order to attend.
• Obtain permission to attend the group and share the letter provided in this course to the group leader/host of the group session.
• Attend the session and observe the group.
• Have the group leader sign the attached letter and return with your reaction paper.

(Special Notes: Your safety is first. Please consider time of day, location, and hosting organization when selecting a group in the community. Participation in the group is not required but should be based on the comfort level of the student, the group type and group rules (seek advice from the group leader as to the best approach).

Reaction Paper: The paper should be no more than 6 pages in length. The paper is based on what the student observed in the community group session. Confidentiality must be maintained when writing this paper. Therefore, do not provide identifying information about the group members or group leader in the paper. You must include the signed letter to the host. The paper should include the following:

I. Group Work Theory
• Identified the name of the group, type of group, purpose, location, date and time frame when offered.
• Identify the agency sponsoring or hosting the group.
• Topics discussed

II. Group Session Critique
• Identify the leader strengths and compare to them to reference
• Specific skills used by the group leader and compare to reference identification of group leader skills
• Stage of the group
• What worked well in the group?
• What could have been done differently to enhance the group experience, facilitate change in the group, better involve group members, resolve conflicts, location, etc.?

III. Values and Ethical Issues
• Did cultural issues arise? Explain.
• How were the issues handled?
• Two Saint Leo University Core values that were evident in the group or what values were needed

IV. Group Member Roles
• Identified the roles of group members during the session (e.g., attending and listening; expressing feelings and thoughts; be willing to express fears, hopes, concerns, reservations, and expectations; be willing to make oneself known; etc) and their participation

V. Scholarly Paper
• Paper was typed and double-spaced
• At least 3 references (i.e., Corey text and other reputable sources) in current APA format
• Title page and paper is no more than 6 pages
• Effective use of headings, subheadings, correct grammar and spelling, no typos, smooth transitions and coherent; clear and logical sentence structure and overall paper structure.