Arrange Peer Support: Here’s How to Start Your Own Study and Support Group

This procedure also is in Microsoft Word format.

People rarely improve their learning and themselves merely by getting advice from articles and others. The likelihood of success is dramatically improved if they share ongoing inquiry, reflection, support and accountability (coaching) to actually apply that advice. Getting that kind of help is much easier than you might think. Here is how you can arrange that with even one or two other people.

A study or support group is a small group of people who are committed to help each other learn about a common topic or skill, or to improve some aspect of themselves. They help each other primarily by sharing thoughtful questions, advice and materials, as well as to share support and accountabilities to take actions between meetings.

Here is a handy procedure you could use to start your own group. The procedure has been used many times to create powerful learning experiences for every group member. The group could meet in-person or over the Internet.

Preparation

1. Complete a draft of the design of your group (guidelines are included below).

2. Select at least one additional person who might have a similar interest or need regarding a common topic or skill. For example, point them to a Library topic that you are interested in applying in your life or work.

3. Share this procedure along with the design, with them.

4. Ask them if they have any questions or suggestions about the design of the study or support group.

5. Share a sample Learning Journal with them.

6. Ask if they’d optionally like to form a personal Learning Plan.

7. Ask if they are committed to attending.

8. Share contact information for each member.

9. Hold your first meeting in which you:

a. Share introductions.

b. Pose any questions or changes about the procedure or Learning Journal.

c. Schedule your meetings.

Design Plan of Your Study or Support Group

Common overall topic or goal you are studying or getting coached on (pick a topic from the Library?): ___

Names of members of the group (choose 4-5 members at most): ___

Number of meetings (6 is typical): ___

Length of meetings (90 minutes is typical): ___

Frequency of Meetings (every two weeks?: ___

Means of communications (in-person or virtual): ___

Facilitator (to manage ground rules and agenda): ___

Preferred ground Rules:

a. Attend every meeting, unless excused.

b. Maintain confidentiality about members and meetings.

c. Come prepared for reach meeting.

d. Support each member’s learning.

e. All opinions are honored.

Method to capture learning (share the sample Learning Journal):

Meeting Agenda (At Most 90 Minutes Long)

1. Opening — Review agenda and ground rules, and name today’s topic (7 minutes).

2. Learning — In round-table approach, each member gets at least 15 minutes to:

a. Share the status of any actions that they took from the previous meeting, and what they learned from those actions.

b. Name the highlights and learning from the current topic’s readings (if readings were applicable).

c. Share any questions regarding the topic.

d. Ask for additional resources if needed.

e. Get help from other members in the form of thoughtful questions, advice and/or materials.

3. Closing — (8 minutes)

a. Evaluate this meeting from a score of 1 (very low) to 5 (very high), and what could be done to improve the meetings.

b. Verify date and timing of next meeting.

Additional Resources

About Study Groups

About Coaching Groups

About Managing Meetings

For the Category of Personal Development:

To round out your knowledge of this Library topic, you may want to review some related topics, available from the link below. Each of the related topics includes free, online resources.

Also, scan the Recommended Books listed below. They have been selected for their relevance and highly practical nature.