Roles & Being a Group Leader

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Group leaders set the tone, and healthy groups stem from healthy leadership relationships. Even if informally, it's essential to define your group's leadership structure.

Consider Co-Leadership:

• Find a co-leader to share the journey. It's more fun and rewarding to work with others - and takes some of the lift of off you!
• Relying too heavily on one person is risky and makes the group less resilient.

Leadership Dynamics:

• Some groups operate on a "do-ocracy" principle: if you have the time and interest to do something, take the initiative and involve others along the way.
• Members may naturally gravitate toward specific roles based on their interests and skills.
• Effective leadership teams share responsibilities and distribute tasks over time.

Formalizing Roles:

• Some groups formalize roles, though it's common for one person to wear many hats. Typical roles include:
  • President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Vice President
  • Partnerships Manager
  • Membership Manager
  • Marketing Person (crucial for driving engagement and awareness)

Leadership Practices:

• Meet and communicate regularly as a leadership team.
• Make time commitments and availability clear and explicit.
• Provide mutual support within the leadership team.
• Foster a culture of accountability.
• Have fun together. 🙂 

Early Stages:

• In the early stages, groups are fragile, often with the first leader making most decisions, executing tasks, and setting norms.
• As the initial leader, be mindful of the tone you set and actively seek to involve and support others.

What Do Group Leaders Do?

Group leaders have a variety of responsibilities that are crucial for the success and sustainability of the group. 

• Set the Tone, Vision, and Direction: Define the group's purpose and strategic goals.
• Plan and Host Events: Organize and manage group events and activities.
• Maintain Tools: Establish and manage systems and platforms for communication and collaboration.
• Seed and Share Content: Provide relevant content to stimulate interest and engagement.
• Catalyze and Encourage Conversation: Foster active participation and dialogue among members.
• Participate in Conversations: Engage with members, contributing to discussions and activities.
• Moderate Conversations: Enforce ground rules and ensure a respectful, inclusive environment.
• Welcome New Members: Greet newcomers and help them integrate into the group.
• Project Management: Oversee projects from inception to completion, ensuring they align with group goals.
• Manage Membership and Data: Keep track of member information and engagement metrics.
• Analytics and Gauging Group Health: Monitor and evaluate the group's performance and member satisfaction.
• Financial Management: Handle the group's finances, including creating budgets and raising funds.
• Create Partnerships and Get Sponsors: Develop relationships with external partners and secure sponsorships.
• Communicate with the Group: Keep members informed via email, social media, and other channels.
• Marketing: Promote the group and its events to attract new members and increase engagement.

If this seems like a lot, consider contacting the established Group Leader of a group in your area / product, and see if they would consider a co-leader!