1. Peer Groups

2. What are Peer Groups? 5 members
Created at the beginning of the term of service and maintained throughout the year.
Purpose:
To build community among VISTAs in smaller functional groups
To create additional spaces for reflection
To promote resource sharing and additional support networks

3. Expectations cont. Monthly Meeting Site Based Cohort Days
Monthly check-ins with your group
45-60 min in person
Resource share, discuss, vent, etc.
Members should rotate coordinating the meet
Meeting date/time
Discussion topics
This should be your group, create the kind of environment you want
Each group will lead a fall and spring cohort day.
Staff will provide presentation about organization, site, and/or community.
Peer group will lead the rest of the training day.
Activities, discussions, group problem solving, reflection etc
Must include a skill share OR a project update
Over lay schedule after monthly meeting

4. Expectations cont. Fall Spring Skill Share
Teach the group something you know well
Professional and VISTA related
Non-Vista Related
Feel free to collaborate on teaching skills
Project Update
Each peer group member must share a project update
Can include information about the community
Progress made & next steps
Any cool stuff you’ve been working on!

5. Questions???

6. Group Work Time

7. Goals
Get to know the people in your peer group and exchange contact information
Talk about your project similarities and differences.
Brainstorm ways to support one another this year
Establish a meeting plan

8. Activity: 2 truths, 1 lie
Each member should come up with 3 facts about themselves: two that are true and one that is not not (Make them believable!)
After an individual shares their 3 facts, the rest of the group must decide together what the lie is.
Feel free to ask context questions about facts stated to weed out the lie.
Take turns going around the table until everyone has shared.

9. Discussion
Best Group Experiences

10. Creating Ground Rules Tool for helping the group function as a team
Helps to establish what is important to group members in terms of working together and expectations.
Consider…..
Meeting expectations and contributions
Teamwork
Communication

11. Team Name and/or Mascot

12. Meeting Plan When are the best times to meet? What times do not work
Who is coordinating the monthly meeting?
This person should rotate every month and finalize time and location
Facilitate group discussion
Include any activities or icebreakers
What are some topics you’d like to discuss?

13. Site Based Cohort Days Brainstorm a list of skills you could share
Are there ways to collaborate?
What qualities make an engaging present and what can you bring to the table?
What sorts of discussions or activities do you want to lead.

14. Discussion
Projects: Similarities and differences

15. Team Competition!