Tidbits for Growing Groups

Today we’ll look at different types of groups and how they self-organized. I have participated in many groups, including, but not limited to writers’ groups.

In a recent group I belonged to, I recall “Richard.” Our group was told to share where each grew up. “Richard” quietly told the group about Canada when he was young. His short story offered growing up in his family on a Canadian farmstead. The description was beautiful. He was a “good talker.” That group lasted a long time with a plethora of ideas for discussions. I don’t remember the other participants, only “Richard.”

When I moved about five years ago, the new neighbors never greeted me. I felt very lonely and wanted to know who lived near us on the street. I waited about six weeks. Then I designed flyers to put inside the screen doors on the street. The flyer suggested meeting at my home for coffee at 10:00 a.m. the next Monday. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Someone said, “Why don’t we do this once a month to catch up with each other?” Everyone liked our gathering. We all had things to share, like news from the lady who had recent surgery. Topics began to bubble up. The group is still meeting, but weekly for one hour to stay in touch with those who might need a ride to visit a neighbor in the hospital or take a meal to someone. They are still meeting and I have moved again. I miss that group. No outlines, just old friends and a group of new friends.

Another group came together to write about something blue. Each participant’s contribution was very different. We learned about blue skies, blue birds and a member’s blue flowers she grows annually.