Regional Group Survey Round Table July 2003 Andrews University

Demographics Response Rate = 47% (66/140) Response Rate = 47% (66/140) Gender Gender –Female: 48% –Male: 52% Degree Degree –MA: 3% –PhD: 97% Status Status –Active: 87% –Inactive: 2% –Alumni: 11%

The Good News 86% believe RGs are important to success in leadership program 86% believe RGs are important to success in leadership program 89% describe members as cohesive, trusting, open and supportive 89% describe members as cohesive, trusting, open and supportive 77% report minutes are posted regularly 77% report minutes are posted regularly 89% know how to arrange faculty visits (CONCERN: Why are faculty not invited to visit RG?) 89% know how to arrange faculty visits (CONCERN: Why are faculty not invited to visit RG?) 99% report that RGs are within guidelines for RG membership (6-7 members) 99% report that RGs are within guidelines for RG membership (6-7 members)

The Concerns 27% did NOT understand the importance of RG PRIOR to entering Leadership program. 27% did NOT understand the importance of RG PRIOR to entering Leadership program. 55% can NOT describe the four stages of the group process 55% can NOT describe the four stages of the group process 24% of RG do NOT meet the required 6-7 times a year 24% of RG do NOT meet the required 6-7 times a year Only 58% found joining a RG “very easy” Only 58% found joining a RG “very easy” Only 16% say RGs are functioning very well. Only 16% say RGs are functioning very well.

How can RGs be more effective? Use RT and Orientation to EDUCATE participants Use RT and Orientation to EDUCATE participants ACCOUNTABILITY: What are the consequences for those who do not meet the expectations? ACCOUNTABILITY: What are the consequences for those who do not meet the expectations? More FACULTY SUPPORT – this includes clearer and more structured guidelines More FACULTY SUPPORT – this includes clearer and more structured guidelines Require GROUP CHARTERS: New participants can receive info on existing RGs Require GROUP CHARTERS: New participants can receive info on existing RGs

Honorable Mentions Require MONTHLY RG meetings Require MONTHLY RG meetings RECOGNIZE RG leadership with academic/IDP credit RECOGNIZE RG leadership with academic/IDP credit Eliminate term ‘Regional’ – may no longer reflective our global nature Eliminate term ‘Regional’ – may no longer reflective our global nature

Hot Topics: Open vs. Closed? Yes: 51% Yes: 51% No: 49% No: 49%

Open vs. Closed: Highlights Veterans must adopt newcomers. This is the essence of leadership Veterans must adopt newcomers. This is the essence of leadership Faculty need to define “functional” and then let groups decide how best to achieve this standard Faculty need to define “functional” and then let groups decide how best to achieve this standard Size should be the primary reason for NOT accepting new members Size should be the primary reason for NOT accepting new members

Continued RGs with members in the final stages of completing program should NOT be required to accept new members RGs with members in the final stages of completing program should NOT be required to accept new members A RG should have a good reason for not accepting a new member A RG should have a good reason for not accepting a new member RGs need help resolving group CONFLICT RGs need help resolving group CONFLICT Regional Group Coordinator is a good idea Regional Group Coordinator is a good idea

Direction for the Future COMMUNICATE importance of RGs during application and orientation process COMMUNICATE importance of RGs during application and orientation process Seek ways to FACILTATE the integration of new participants into RGs Seek ways to FACILTATE the integration of new participants into RGs EDUCATE ALL participants on the group process EDUCATE ALL participants on the group process Investigate GROUP Charters (perhaps require of all new groups) Investigate GROUP Charters (perhaps require of all new groups) Regional Group Coordinator? Regional Group Coordinator?