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Contract for Participation in the Making
Peace with Your Past group:
Group Commitments are for the purpose of establishing
a safe and effective environment for the work we are wanting to do. By
signing the contract at the beginning of the group, you are committing
to the other members of the group that you will do whatever you can to
ensure that safe and effective environment.
- Respect: I agree be respectful toward other members of the
group. This means that I will not criticize another group member for
their opinion or experiences, and that I will endeavor to understand
if someone has a different opinion than I do. I will engender a loving,
Christian, supportive environment where everyone feels safe to share
their inner thoughts.
- Confidentiality: I agree that what is said here, stays here.
I respect other member’s confidentiality, I will not discuss other
member’s contributions to the group discussion, and I will give
no information, identifying or not, where someone outside of the group
might reasonably be able to identify a group participant. I do understand
that I can discuss my own contributions and what I am learning outside
of the group.
- Contributions: I understand that I am not required to talk
during the group, and I will not pressure others to talk if they seem
reluctant. My individual contribution is my business, and others’
is theirs. I also understand, however, that we all benefit from our
own and each other’s contributions, so I will strive to become
comfortable enough to share.
- Attendance: I agree to make every attempt to attend every group
session. I know the group will understand if there are illness, transportation,
work, or other issues that interfere, but I also understand that sporatic
attendance is disruptive, leaving the group as a whole feeling less
safe. As safety is of paramount importance to ensure full benefit of
the work, I will take this commitment very seriously. If I have to miss
a group session, I will call or e-mail before the group begins.
- Timeliness: I agree to be on time whenever possible. I also
agree that, if I am going to be more than 20 minutes late, I will call
before the group begins and not come. I understand that this is because
my late arrival after the discussion has begun can be disruptive and
take the conversation off-track.
- Social contacts: I commit not to pursue new friendships with
people in the group until after the group ends. I understand that this
is because new friendships sometimes falter, and emotional social stresses
and anxieties can take on a life of their own within the group structure,
again causing disruptions and difficulties in the work. This does not
apply to friendships which already exist, and friendships after the
group ends are encouraged.
- Contact outside of the group: I understand that different people
have different levels of comfort and sensitivity, so I will be careful
and respectful when I run into other members of the group outside of
the group setting. I will be careful not to identify them to others
who might be in the vicinity as a member of this group.
- Cell Phones: Except under exceptional circumstances, cell phones
will be turned off during the group.
- Complaints: I agree that, if I have a complaint about how the
group is being run or about how other members are conducting themselves,
I will either speak directly to the other member, or I will discuss
the issue with Sue McHenry. Under no circumstances will I discuss the
issue outside of the group.
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