Is Your Youth Group Really as Bad as It Seems?
by Liberal Religious Youth, adapted by Beth DanaThese are discussion guidelines for youth groups that are "falling apart." If your youth group is suffering from this illusion, set aside three meetings for discussion, using these guidelines. Be sure that someone takes notes on the problems and solutions that come up in the discussion.
When you have finished, the dynamics of the youth group will seem much clearer. Hopefully the members of your group will feel better when they have some of the ideas that were stifling the flow out in the open. Try having a brainstorming session to come up with solutions and, most important, be positive with your ideas.
Meeting One
How can we think of ourselves as a group until we look at ourselves as individuals?
- What are the ages of people in this group?
- Do varying ages make a difference in the smooth flow of the group?
- What are the needs of the older people in the group? The younger people?
- Do varying needs cause conflict within the group?
- If so, what are these conflicts and how can they be solved?
- How many people of different gender identities (male, female, genderqueer, transgender…) are in the group?
- Does this ratio affect the way the group functions as a whole?
- Does this ratio affect the attitudes of the members toward each other?
- Are there any topics of common interest that are not discussed comfortably within the group?
- Does this ratio have anything to do with this?
- Is there any way to solve this problem if it exists? Maybe identity groups?
- Do some individuals seem to talk a lot but not say anything of importance to the group?
- How subjective is this opinion (who and how does the group determine what is of importance)?
- If this is so, could it be that these people have a need for attention that is not being met?
- How can this need be met?
- How do people relate to each other?
- How much do members trust each other?
- Do some people get picked on?
- Are others the subject of everyone's attention?
- Are there times when some people feel like they can't talk because other people won't let them?
- When are these times? Why does this happen?
- What role does humor play in your conversations?
- Are there things sometimes said "jokingly" when they are real feelings?
- What areas of interest keep recurring?
- Do some want all "social" activities and others want more "serious" ones?
- Is there a lot of interest in social action?
- In the case of conflicts of interest, are they solved with one party feeling downtrodden?
- If so, why does this happen?
- How do you think it can be solved?
- How important is the business of the group?
- Is there a balance of "fun" and "business" during the meetings?
- How much organization is necessary?
- Do a few people take on all the responsibility for everyone?
- If so, why does this happen?
- How can everyone derive value from business in meetings?
Meeting Two
What does our group mean to us?
- Why are we members of Young Religious Unitarian Universalism (YRUU)?
- What makes YRUU so special?
- What makes this youth group different from any other church youth group?
- What does "youth empowerment" mean?
- What role do adults play in our youth group?
- Why do they play this role?
- Who are the "leaders" in this local group?
- Why are these people leaders?
- Is there a conflict between the people who have been in YRUU for a while and those who are new?
- If so, what is this conflict?
- How can it be resolved?
Meeting Three
What is our involvement outside of this group?
- Is everyone in the group a Unitarian Universalist (UU)? Are some new to Unitarian Universalism, and others lifelong Unitarian Universalists?
- What is the ratio of non-UUs to present UUs?
- What is the ratio of new UUs to lifelong UUs?
- Do these ratios cause a problem?
- If so, what kind of problem?
- How involved does this youth group want to be in a church or fellowship?
- Is it important for youth group members to be members of the church or fellowship?
- Why or why not?
- What kind of relationship or interaction does the youth group currently have with the rest of the church or fellowship?
- What kind of relationship or interaction does the youth group want to have with the rest of the church or fellowship?
- How involved is this group in their district or region?
- How many people go to conferences/rallies?
- Is there a distinct group of conference goers?
- Is there a lot of focus on conferences and not so much on youth group activities?
- Why does this happen?
- Do you want to change this?
- How do you think it can be changed?
- What is the interest in continental YRUU?
- Who are the interested people and why?
- In what ways does continental YRUU serve this youth group?
- What kind of communication or interaction is there and could there be between continental YRUU structures and this youth group?
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
