1. Getting Started
This module is intended to help individuals gain a good understanding about the role of the FRG. FRGs play a vital role in family readiness and in assisting units and families with deployments. With the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and other demands on the military, deployments are part of the Army way of life making the FRG an increasingly important and valuable support to units and families.

2. Objectives of Getting Started
Define the tasks FRG leaders need to conduct when assuming leadership of unit’s FRG
Assessment
Planning
Set up and/or revisions
Discuss and provide guidance on the initial issues FRG leaders face
Identify support resources available to FRG leaders
The objectives of this module are: (Review slide)
(After reviewing this slide, you may want to state):
There is no “getting started” section in the FRG Leader’s Handbook. The information presented in this module comes from section 2.3 in Part 2 as well as sections 3.2 and 3.3 in Part 3 of the FRG Leader’s Handbook. This module also presents information which is not included in the handbook

3. Preparation for FRG Leader Role
Meet with:
Commander
MPOC
Volunteers in the unit’s FRG
Previous FRG leader of the unit
Review Operation READY materials
Obtain necessary training as required from your State Family Program office
Face-to-face
Online training
As the new leader of FRG, it is important to prepare for your role. A key step to being prepared for the FRG Leader role is to have an understanding of the FRG leader role and responsibilities as well as FRG activities. Ways to gain this knowledge are:
Meet with the unit commander to discuss command’s vision of FRG activities and FRG leader’s responsibilities.
Review Operation READY materials for FRG leaders which provide how-to information.
Get any training needed. (Note: In addition to this training series, online training is available for FRG leaders on the web at
Talk with previous FRG leader of the unit, if possible.
Talk with volunteers in the unit’s FRG, especially FRG volunteers who held key positions (e.g., co-leader, newsletter editor, FRG Informal Fund manager, phone tree chair).
Meet with current or past FRG leaders.
As a reminder. In this FRG training series, the module on “FRG Leader – Unit Leadership Partnership for Effective FRGs” discussed the responsibilities of the FRG leader. A list of the FRG activities was provided in the “FRG Overview” module with a more detailed presentation on how these activities are conducted in the “Communicating with Families” module. After these modules, FRG leaders are expected to have a good understanding of the FRG leader role and FRG activities.

4. Assessment of FRG Operations
Since each unit is unique, the FRG leader will need to assess the unit’s past FRG operations regarding the following
Required documentation?
Resources?
Volunteers?
Training completion?
Communication tree status?
FRG reputation?
Soldier/Family member needs?
Issues and/or challenges?
If the unit has an existing FRG when you come on board, conducting a quick assessment can be useful. The purpose of the assessment is to determine how well prepared the FRG is to carry out the FRG’s mission. Things you might want to find out include: (Review slide)
Required documentation: VOL forms, SOP’s, memos of appt.
Training completion: (Commander, MPOC, VOL)
Communication tree status: (i.e., how current is the unit roster, does the structure need updating, and how is the tree activated?)
FRG reputation: What perceptions do leadership, soldiers and families have of the FRG?
Some additional points to make:
This is intended as a means for you to take inventory of what the FRG has, has done, and the FRG’s ability to carry out the FRG mission. The questions listed here give you some things you might consider finding out about as they will help with the planning steps, which will be discussed in the next slides.
Much of this information can be obtained through talking with others such as previous FRG leader and FRG volunteers, reviewing existing documents and materials, and your own observations as a member of the unit’s FRG.
Keep in mind that the prior unit commander will have greatly influenced what the FRG did previously.

5. Planning of FRG Operations
Plan to ensure FRG has capability to support the unit commander, soldiers and families
Plan for:
FRG procedures
Resources
Volunteers
FRG communication tree
FRG newsletter/social media
Build on the previous FRG’s efforts to date
Planning is an important step in getting started.
Some level of planning is essential. The purpose of planning is to get yourself and the FRG organized and ensure the FRG has the capability to support the unit commander and families.
Areas where planning should occur include:
SOPs and FRG procedures
Resources
Volunteers
FRG telephone tree
FRG
FRG newsletter.
To develop plans, you will most likely have to gather information and think about your (and the FRG’s) needs.
Keep in mind that you can (and are encouraged to) build on the FRG’s efforts to date. Do not assume that you will have to create the FRG from ground up.
We will now discuss in-depth the planning you need to do in each of the areas listed. If you have any questions as we go over these areas, please ask.

6. Setting up FRG Operations
FRG leader’s tasks will be based on the phase of the unit’s training cycle
Suggested set up tasks include:
Review Army regulations and unit SOPs related to FRG
Identify resources needed for FRG activities
Review roles and responsibilities of volunteer positions
Develop or review communication tree structure and
operation
Develop or review previous FRG newsletter and/or
social media page
Recruit volunteers!!
Review slide. Note to the presenter, the bullet represents the specific information that needs to be reviewed by the FRG leader and/or decision the FRG leader needs to make. Based on this decision, there is a follow-up task that the FRG leader needs to perform to set-up the FRG. Once all of these “set-up tasks” are completed, the FRG should be ready to support unit leadership and unit families.)
Task: Discuss with unit commander any documentation needed
Task: Discuss with unit commander resources available for ongoing FRG activities. Identify and coordinate with community partners OR establish FRG Informal Fund, if not set up

7. Initial Issues for FRG Leaders
Focus of FRG’s efforts will depend on phase of unit’s training cycle
Relationship with unit leadership
Marketing of FRG
Reputation of FRG
Meeting with FRG members
Communication with FRG volunteers
Understanding of emerging family issues
These are issues that ALL FRG leaders regardless of experience face when they become the leader of their unit’s FRG. (Review slide)
A point of explanation:
Focus of FRG’s efforts: What phase of the deployment cycle that your unit is in will determine what FRG tasks you will focus on when you assume leadership of the FRG.
We are now going to take a closer look at each of these issues starting with the relationship with unit leadership.

8. Guidance on Relationship with Unit Leadership
Remember…FRG is the Commander’s program
Prepare to discuss at first meeting with unit commander:
Commander’s intent and expectations for FRG
Resources for FRG
Command support for FRG
Frequency and methods of communication between unit leadership and FRG leader
Other pertinent issues
Command support is critical for an FRG. The degree to which the FRG leader can establish a positive working relationship with unit leadership [commander, RDC, and Family Readiness Liaison (FRL)] is an important element in the level of command support the FRG receives. Guidance is provided here on how to get started in establishing a positive relationship with unit leadership. (Review slide)
(Additional points can make):
This meeting sets the tone of the relationship. Each person will get a sense of the other’s style and the nature of working relationship will have.
commander’s intent for FRG (including FRG activities and FRG leader’s role)
expectations (e.g., what issues to be handled by commander vs FRG leader, when to seek guidance, unit military point of contact MPOC)

9. Guidance for Promoting FRG
Reach out to Soldiers and Families in various ways
Ways to promote FRG include:
Attend unit and community events to introduce yourself and FRG
Introduce new soldiers/families to unit and FRG
Command promoting FRG to Soldiers and families
Include FRG activities on social media site
Encourage Soldiers and families to talk about FRG to others…word of mouth
With the FRG now serving a broader network of Soldiers’ families, it is likely that many family members are not aware of the FRG. Publicity will therefore be an important effort to increase awareness of the FRG. Reaching out to Soldiers and families in different ways will also be necessary to connect with as many unit families as possible. Because the FRG leader serves as the key spokesperson, it is important that the FRG leader be involved in many publicity efforts. For example, FRG leaders are suggested to make a brief presentation or meet families informally at unit pre-deployment briefings. Other considerations and ways to publicize the FRG are:
Attend unit and community events to introduce yourself and FRG, give brief presentation or talk with Soldiers and families informally
Inform new arrivals to unit
Have command promote FRG to Soldiers and families
Include FRG activities in vFRG website.
Encourage Soldiers and families to talk about FRG to others (i.e., word of mouth).
When talking with Soldiers and families, think about the key take-away messages. Soldiers and families will want to know what the FRG does and how the FRG can help them.

10. Guidance on Reputation of FRG
Factors critical to establishing a positive reputation include:
Provide timely and accurate information and meaningful activities
Meeting family needs
Having a positive environment
Representing all unit families
Treating families with respect
Encouraging input and acknowledging contributions
Personable and approachable FRG leader/volunteers
Controlling or effectively addressing negative situations
The FRG leader has a direct influence on FRG’s activities and environment
The reputation of the FRG has a bearing on the extent to which the FRG is able to be in contact with families and thus able to provide them with important information. The FRG’s reputation is formed by everything it does. As the leader you can influence the FRG environment and how activities are carried out. Keep in mind that your own style and abilities will also have an impact on families’ perceptions of the FRG. Here is a list of things to keep in mind during the time you serve as the FRG leader.
Factors critical to establishing a positive reputation include:
Ability to provide timely and accurate information and meaningful activities to families
Ability to meet family needs
Having a positive environment that:
Represents all unit families (i.e., both enlisted and officer and other unit demographics)
Encourages all to participate
Acknowledges participation is voluntary
Is receptive to members’ input
Treats members and volunteers with respect
Acknowledges members’ and volunteers’ contributions
Promotes connections and builds camaraderie between families; includes welcoming new arrivals
Having a FRG leader and key FRG volunteers who are personable and approachable
Ability to control or effectively address negative situations (such as gossip, factions within the FRG).

11. Guidance on FRG Meetings
Meetings provide an opportunity to:
Identify issues of concern
Share important information
Provide education of an important topic
Foster connections between families
Meeting frequency depends on event calendar, deployment cycle, command guidance, etc.
Suggestions to increase attendance:
Conduct virtual meetings - webinar or teleconference
Provide practical information
Involve members
Use incentives - childcare, food, etc.
Include fun or social element
Keep meetings brief
Be organized
The FRG leader typically conducts FRG meetings so here are important points about the frequency and use of FRG meetings. (Review slide)
Some additional points to make:
While all families are encouraged to attend FRG meetings, keep in mind that some families may not be able to attend.
The frequency with which FRG member meetings are held will in part depend on where family members live. For some FRGs, FRG member meetings will not be an activity conducted very often.
In the first meeting with FRG members, you will want to:
Inform families about the FRG
Address any known issues of concern to families
Educate families about military and community services
Provide families with information on how to access the unit’s virtual FRG (vFRG)
Recruit volunteers. A form such as the Family Readiness Group Information Form can be given out requesting individuals to identify their interests in participating in the FRG.
Provide a social activity or allow time for families to meet and talk.

12. Guidance on FRG Communications
Maintaining good communication is vital
Communication can be conducted in different ways
Stay connected with all FRG volunteers, including those not in your geographical area
Different ways to communicate…(meetings, conference calls, , etc.)

13. Guidance on Emerging Family Issues
Each unit is unique and the need to develop an understanding of emerging issues is essential
Current issues of concern are:
Mental health issues of soldiers and families
Financial/Employment
Relationships
(Review slide, then say) These issues are addressed in the module entitled “FRG’s Role in Unit Casualty” in the FRG training series. A forthcoming Operation READY Trauma in the Unit handbook will address these topics in depth.

14. Resources for FRG Leaders
Operation READY materials
Other FRG leaders
FRSA and FAS
Web-based FRG forum
Unit leadership
Guard/Reserve Family Program Offices
There are a variety of resources available to FRG leaders where you can get guidance or talk with someone. (Review slide)
A point of information about two of the resources listed:
Garrison ACS FRG forum: Some garrisons are establishing an open forum in which FRG leaders can come and talk with other FRG leaders to discuss common issues of concern and to share ideas.
Battalion FRG steering committee: All company level FRG leaders are expected to attend battalion FRG steering committee meetings when possible.

15. Last thoughts… You are not on your own
There are a variety of tools and resources to help you in your efforts
This training and the handbook are intended to provide a roadmap
Opportunities to seek ongoing guidance are available

16. Questions? For any questions call the State Family Programs office
Also if known, mention specific staff