Module 2: Group Empowerment and Direction-Setting Workshop in Mindanao State University-Marawi

Praying for others to come, good weather, and peace

Peace-TAYO was in Mindanao State University - Marawi last November 2011. The Student Council of MSU-Marawi requested a workshop for its members. With the help of and inputs from the officers (Lornito, Jayson, Philip and Abigail), a module on Group Empowerment and Direction-Setting Workshop was implemented in the scenic golf course of MSU-Marawi campus.


Activity 1: "Let's Draw Together"
Groups are formed and strengthened by the needs of members and situations and by common understanding and deep appreciation of their roles in their locality. After recognizing the needs, groups take certain roles based on their capacities to respond to certain needs and deliver services to the community. Members of the groups divide the tasks to perform and fulfill the roles assigned to and expected of them.

Here? Yes, go on..

Objectives: 
At the end of this activity, participants are able to;
- visualize and clarify their roles and their corresponding tasks
- experience the critical  importance of his/her role in the group
- enjoy his/her role in the group and the companionship of other members
- identify the goal/s of the group

Materials:
- Pencils

Ops.. too long (help!)

- Erasers
- Bond or drawing papers
- One picture
- Handkerchiefs or piece of cloth to blindfold

Time Frame: 
One hour with discussion

Procedure:
1. Divide the participants into groups with 3 members. If there are participants that can't form a new group, let them serve as observers and make sure that participants are following the instructions.
2. In each group with 3 members, allow them to assign a drawer (one that will draw), eraser (one that will erase), and instructor (one that will give instructions to the drawer).
3. The drawer needs to be blindfolded.
4. The instructors of each group are called to have a look of the picture. Only the instructor has an idea on what to draw at this point.
5. Then, for 20 minutes or so, the instructor with his/her hands on his/her back begins to give instructions on what to draw. Only the instructor is allowed to speak. Only the drawer and eraser are allowed to touch the paper. The eraser takes cues from the instructor, but is free to erase whatever is drawn on the paper. The eraser is not allowed to hold the pencil or give instructions.
6. After 20 minutes, ask them to stop.
7. Let the drawer see his/her work and ask for his/her feelings and comments.
8. Discuss the experiences. Ask about their learnings on their roles, on their groupmates, etc.
9. Summarize the activity by pointing out the expected output of the activity - replica of the picture. Every member of the group has to have an idea of what to achieve. That is the task of the instructor - s/he has to communicate to his/her groupmates what to draw. And the group achieves the goal if the role and task are understood and appreciated by the members.

Look! It looks like this.

Activity 2: "Count Me In"  (a variation of the original activity)
With goals, the group seeks to achieve them. They recognize their own importance and roles. But they also need to recognize the importance and roles of others in the group. They can not simply over-emphasize their own importance and roles. Thus, as in orchestra, rhythm and harmony of the group are essential.

Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the participants are able to;
- experience failures and disappointments as a group
- accept faults
- gain determination and confidence to get desired results
- feel the motivation from the group
- experience joy in achieving a goal

Not an examination; copying is allowed.

No materials needed:


Time Frame: 
45 minutes

Procedure:
1. Form a circle. Make a space between members, close enough to hear the breathing of the person next to each other.
2. The group will progressively count up to 25. Only one member can say aloud one number at a time. If two or more members simultaneously count, the group has to begin again from one. Any member can start to count. The allowable gap in counting is 3 seconds.
3. The counting from one is repeated until the count reaches 25 without having two or more members counting at the same time and without the 3 second-gap.
4.  If the group fails to reach 25 after 10 minutes of trying, the target count will be reduced to 20.
5. If the group fails to count until 20 after 10 minutes, then the target count will become 10.
6. This is repeated until the target count is reached.
7. Share experiences.
8. Conclude by highlighting their motivations in spite of their repeated failures. What makes them continue to count? The dynamics of the group influences the direction that the group will take. As long as everybody is in the circle and trying, the group exists and each one is an essential part of the group.

Thank you, guys and girl. Goodluck and keep the faith!