FRG: How to be an FRG | 1 How To Be an Effective FRG Leader Third Edition, 2006

FRG: How to be an FRG | 2 Objectives of Effective FRG Leader  To identify what makes an FRG leader effective  To provide tips on how to manage different aspects of the FRG leader’s role  To discuss steps to sustain the FRG

FRG: How to be an FRG | 3 Are You Ready to be the FRG Leader? Things to think about:  Your schedule  Personal/family situation  Your personality  Your abilities  Your health  Interest level/commitment

FRG: How to be an FRG | 4 Open Discussion  What makes someone a “good” (or effective) FRG leader?  What do YOU need to do to be an effective FRG leader?

FRG: How to be an FRG | 5 What Makes an FRG Leader Effective  Level of knowledge and preparation  Use of available resources  Has desirable leadership qualities  Ability to establish good relationships with others (unit leadership, FRG volunteers, families, and local support agencies)  Ability to manage the demands on the FRG and on you, the FRG leader

FRG: How to be an FRG | 6 What an FRG Leader Needs to Know  FRG mission and activities  FRG leader responsibilities  FRG program structure  Unit mission, deployment schedule, and leaders  Unit families (i.e., FRG membership)  Deployment cycle and both command goals and family issues in each phase  Military and civilian community resources for families  Army regulations and unit policies (including casualty notification)  Military structure and protocol

FRG: How to be an FRG | 7 Tips on How to Develop Your Knowledge  Ways to increase your knowledge:  Get training  Collect and review information  Talk with others  Attend Army, unit or community-sponsored educational programs/trainings  Attend FRG steering committee meetings  Visit web sites such as MyArmyLifeToo, Military One Source, and official FRG site on the vFRG web system.  Participate in ACS FRG Forums  Enhancing your knowledge is an ongoing effort.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 8 How FRG Leader Needs to Prepare the FRG  Set-up FRG volunteer team  Set-up FRG’s communication systems (i.e., telephone tree, , FRG newsletter, vFRG)  Identify and get contact information for all unit families  More specific information about preparations and tips are provided in “Getting Started”

FRG: How to be an FRG | 9 Using Your Strengths and Desirable Leader Qualities Team player Good communication skills Good interpersonal skills Confident Responsible Well organized Flexible Positive attitude Approachable Supportive Caring Considerate Fair Good role model Honest, ethical Enthusiastic Sense of humor Willingness to learn

FRG: How to be an FRG | 10 Tips on FRG Leader-Unit Leadership Relationship  Establish a partnership relationship by specifying command and FRG responsibilities.  Work in partnership by determining with unit leaders what FRG will do.  Fulfill your partner role by providing information and seeking guidance and approval when needed.  Two-way ongoing communication to keep informed and address FRG and family issues.  Be respectful and supportive.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 11 Tips on Relationship with FRG Volunteers Do:  Maintain communication to keep informed and to address issues and problems.  Work as a team:  FRG leader provides guidance and feedback as needed  Volunteers do their jobs.  Create positive working environment:  Be respectful and supportive.  Encourage, praise, and thank often.  Encourage volunteers to take care of themselves. Help them deal with the stress. Do Not: Make unnecessary changes. Undermine. Micromanage. Criticize in public. Blame.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 12 Tips on Relationship with Families  Be personable and approachable.  Create positive environment.  Encourage families to volunteer and participate.  Meet families’ needs.  Conduct social activities to reduce stress, boost morale, and build camaraderie.  Have command provide information and take action, when needed.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 13 Leadership Abilities  Make decisions  Provide direction and assistance (i.e., manage tasks)  Plan and conduct meetings  Speak publicly  Handle conflicts  Maintain morale  Sustain FRG

FRG: How to be an FRG | 14 Tips on Decision-Making  Determine type of decision needed:  Unilateral (FRG leader’s decision)  Shared decision with another (i.e., unit commander, FRG committee chairperson)  Delegate to another (unit commander, FRG committee chairperson, or FRG membership’s decision).  Know what decisions are FRG leader’s responsibility vs unit leadership’s.  Tips for making good decisions:  Get information.  Use good judgement.  Be flexible. Consider alternatives.  Understand when to share decision-making.  Be timely in making decisions. Inform others, especially when your decision provides guidance to another (e.g., FRG volunteer).

FRG: How to be an FRG | 15 Tips on Managing Tasks  Types of styles for managing tasks/FRG activities:  Directing  Coaching  Supporting  Delegating  Determine level of direction and guidance appropriate for task and individuals involved.  Make sure individuals aware of timelines.  Monitor status of tasks and how well activities are performed.  Be open to new ideas.  Stick to role as FRG leader.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 16 Tips on Meeting Planning  Have a purpose/Determine what you want to accomplish  Determine who needs to be at the meeting and, what if any, preparations attendee(s) need to make  Develop an agenda and schedule  Prepare any additional documents you want  Identify resources and arrangements needed

FRG: How to be an FRG | 17 Tips on Conducting Meetings Before meeting  Schedule meeting with attendees and provide advance notification  Publicize meeting (for FRG member meetings only)  Make necessary arrangements and preparations

FRG: How to be an FRG | 18 Tips on Conducting Meetings (continued) During meeting  Review agenda or list of discussion items  Stay on schedule/Be sensitive to time (esp. with command)  Maintain control (except in meetings with command)  Allow for dialogue/input  Record votes, when voting required  Provide accurate, timely information  If you don’t know the answer, say so and find out  Once have answer, follow-up with individual(s)

FRG: How to be an FRG | 19 Tips on Public Speaking Be:  Informal  Friendly  Brief  Focused (stick to your topic)  Informative

FRG: How to be an FRG | 20 Tips on Handling Conflicts  Conflicts and disagreements among FRG members (and volunteers) can be expected to occur.  FRG leaders will be challenged to find ways to make people with diverse characteristics feel welcome and comfortable.  Resolve conflicts using these solutions in following order:  Solve at lowest level  Negotiate for win-win solution  Seek outside third party intervention.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 21 Tips on Maintaining Morale: Dealing with Stress  Maintain health and well-being.  Manage demands on you.  Take action “when stressed out”.  Find effective ways to relax.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 22 Tips on Maintaining Morale: Risk for Burnout FRG Leader  Take care of yourself. Eat healthy and try to get adequate rest.  Know your limits. Set priorities. Say “no”, delegate, or screen telephone calls, if necessary.  Stick to own role.  Get help, if needed. Consider whether to have co-leader.  Don’t take on families’ problems.  Try new ideas.  Develop your own support network.  Share responsibilities

FRG: How to be an FRG | 23 Tips on Maintaining Morale: Risk for Burnout FRG Volunteers  Encourage volunteers to take care of themselves.  Change expectations when necessary.  Don’t take on families’ problems. Refer families to community agencies.  Be supportive. Help volunteers deal with problems performing tasks.  Help resolve problem.  Provide additional volunteers or obtain assistance from FRG membership.  Assist when possible.  Thank volunteers often.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 24 Tips on Sustaining the FRG Keep families involved  Create positive environment  Keep families’ needs in mind and focus FRG activities on meeting family needs  Identify reasons families do not participate and address these issues  Involve as many people as possible, and give them a voice  Ensure families get timely, accurate and practical information  Control rumors and gossip.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 25 Tips on Handling FRG Leader Transition  Mentor volunteer for this role, if appropriate.  Review FRG operations.  Talk with commander about selection of next FRG leader.  Assist next FRG leader with their transition.

FRG: How to be an FRG | 26 Group Exercises  Scenario 1: FRG leader is burned out and won’t delegate  Scenario 2: It is post deployment and families are not participating in the FRG

FRG: How to be an FRG | 27 Group Discussion What situations or issues do you currently face that you would like to discuss as a group?

FRG: How to be an FRG | 28 Closing Remarks  Being an FRG leader is a demanding position.  You can do this job effectively by:  Acting on and using the information, tools and resources available  Acknowledging there is some level of unpredictability and need to be flexible  Knowing where to go for help and seeking guidance or talking to others when necessary (remember: you are not on your own)