Essay Instructions: Group Project Proposal
Guidelines for Writing a Group Proposal
You may see this as just an academic exercise for this course, but it is more than that; it is an opportunity for you to develop a group or group idea in an area of life that is of interest or need for you. Some students will develop a group in an area of life that relates to them at the present, while others choose something that they may possibly do after completing their degree and may be working in a different field.
For example you may want to address a need in your family, or an area of need or interest in your community, church, agency, institution, or organization. A coach may want to research and develop ways of making his/her team more cohesive and productive; a person in a business, office, factory, or corporation may want to work on a group to accomplish various goals, training, or solving problems, etc. A person in the military may want to develop a therapeutic group or a team-building concept. A person in a school, church, agency, institution, or organization may want to develop a growth, problem-solving, counseling, therapeutic, educational, or training group. The possibilities are endless, and are only limited by your creativity.
It should have the following pieces or parts.
Cover Page: (In APA format the title page is page # 1.)
Abstract: (In APA format the abstract page is page 2, for information please see the APA writing guide. Then the body of your paper begins on page # 3.)
I. Introduction and Type of Group.
Provide a general overview of the area, concern, or problem to be addressed. Identify the specific population for whom the group will be formed. How will you identify this population and gain access to them, etc?
II. Rationale.
Describe the need or reasons for the group you are forming, meaning why do I want to develop this group, or why have I selected this particular group to develop? It could one or more of these: (a) personal knowledge, (b) the knowledge of the needs of the type of facility or organization for which you are conducting the group, (c) personal interest, (d) information from previously developed needs statements or research, (e) local needs or statistics.
III. Objectives and Outcomes
A. What will the group try to accomplish? What will members gain from participating in this group? What concepts, knowledge, or skills will be learned? Be specific. This answers the question ??" what are the major goals or objectives of this group?
B. What process, procedures, or actions will be necessary to accomplish the objectives? These deal with ??" what needs to be done in or with my group for most of its members to accomplish their goals or objectives.
C. How will the leader, group members, and the sponsoring organization know when the group has accomplished its stated objectives? This is usually determined by observable or measurable accomplishments or changes or knowledge or skills acquired, etc.
IV. Marketing or Recruiting. Describe how the group will be advertised or marketed to its intended audience or potential members. You may want to include samples in your appendix. This could be by personal invitation which is a very effective way, bulletin or mailing announcements, wall board advertisements, public service announcements in local media, local media advertising, and by networking or referral with other institutions, agencies, or professionals.
V. Screening and Selection of Group Members.
A. Describe the criteria for determining who should and should not be in the group. What type of people who should be in your group and could benefit from your services. What are the desired member traits?
B. How many members is the most desirable number to be in the group? Will new people be allowed to join the group once it has started? Will your group be open or closed, voluntary or involuntary?
C. What screening and selection procedures will be used in selecting group members? What specific questions will be asked of prospective group members? Will you utilize any type of pre-screening interview or test? What is your rationale for using these particular procedures? How will you convey the message to any who may be screened out of your group? Do you have alternatives in mind to meet the needs of any who may be screened out of your group? In many situations, but not all, this is very important.
VI. Selection of Group Leader(s).
A. What specific qualifications are needed to lead this group, including but not limited to training, expertise, skills, educational degrees, professional licenses, or credentials? Some of these, but not all may apply concerning leadership of your group.
B What personality and style of leadership is desired? This includes personality, style of leadership, theory and philosophy concerning groups, etc.
C. Do you prefer one leader which may or may not be you, or co-leadership?
If co-leadership is desired do you recommend male-female, husband-wife, talker-listener, supervisor-supervisee, etc?
Location, Time, and Duration
A. Where will the group meet?
B. How often will the group meet?
C. How long will each meeting last? Will you take breaks, serve Refreshments or provide Baby-sitting, if your group is for parents, etc?
VII. Structure and Ground Rules.
A. How will the members be prepared for the group experience?
B. What structure will your group have? Will the group be open or closed? Will tables be used? What will the seating arrangement be? Describe how issues such as confidentiality, feedback, interruption, attendance, homework, and so on will be handled.
C. To what degree will the ground rules and structuring be determined by group members, by an organization or institution, and to what degree by you?
IX. Group Sessions.
A. Outline, or explain the format and processes for your sessions. You will need to outline a meeting representative of each stage in the four stages of group process. Note: For example if your group has ten meetings you will need to state this, but you will only need to outline a meeting that is representative off each stage of group process as explained in chapters 5 ??" 8 in your textbook. Or if your group is an all-day marathon group being held on a Saturday, for example, you would only need to outline times representative of moving your group through the stages.
B. Start each session on a new page.
C. At a minimum, for each session include detailed discussions of:
1. Objective(s) e.g., concepts and skills to be learned.
2. Format for each group session, including interventions, presentations, and exercises, methods of introducing each session, ice-breaking techniques, and instructions for implementing.
3. Homework. (Not all groups or all sessions will have homework)
X. Follow Up
References (APA style Reference page)
Appendices (Not all proposals will have an appendix.)
Examples include: (a) marketing/recruiting materials (e.g., announcements, posters, and letters); (b) group exercises and icebreakers; (c) homework exercises; (d) contracts; and (e) informational handouts.
Length: 8 pages APA style, Because in APA format page 1 is the title page, page 2 is the abstract page, then the body of the text begins. And the last numbered page or pages are your Reference page, which is also called Bibliography in other writing styles.
Sources: Ten or more sources to be accessed, five of which should be cited in your project, either directly or by paraphrase, or by using a source(s) for Appendix material.
