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Showing posts from July, 2009

What makes groups grow, part 2

I have just completed three months of asking 1031 teachers thirteen question designed to help us understand what makes groups grow. This article is the second in a series of reports on this survey. I divided the findings into four sections: Things that didn't matter hardly at all. (Less than 10% difference in likelihood of growth in the bottom and top group) Things that only mattered a little. (Between 11% and 100% difference likelihood of growth in the bottom and top groups.) Things that mattered a lot. (If you are in the top group in these factors you are twice as likely--or more--to be growing than if you are in the bottom group. Between 101% and 1000% difference in likelihood of growth in the bottom and top groups.) Things that matter most. (If this is true of you, you are almost 11 times more likely to be growing than if it is not. More than 1000% difference in likelihood of growth between the top group and the botto

What Makes Groups Grow, part 1

I have just completed three months of asking 1031 teachers thirteen questions designed to help us understand what makes groups grow. This article is the first in series that summarize my findings. Before I begin, allow me to say something. (I have always found that line humorous, but you kind of have to think about it.) I don't like some of the answers I found in this survey. I have taught the exact opposite of what this survey reveals at some points. I disagree with some of these findings. But, the facts are the facts and I am going to report them just as they are. If you disagree with the findings, please don't shoot me, I am only the messenger. I asked thirteen questions. The first one was 1. Would you describe your class as. . . declining stable growing growing rapidly This question was used as a point of comparison with all the rest. For example, the next question (which was really four questions) read

New Conference Plan

With the economy as it is, I am looking for new ways to get the doubling group message out there. Here is an idea. I am making this offer from now till the end of July. Instead of a conference for $1100 or so, how does $200 sound? There is some fine print; read on. Local host church pays $200. This goes toward my expenses (travel, hotel, etc.) Association pays $200. This goes toward my expenses as well. (travel, hotel, etc.) Note: I want both a church and the Association on the hook financially so they are motivated to promote the event. It doesn't work for either the Association or local church to just pay the whole $400. Each individual attending pays $20 and gets a free book (up to $19.99 value). This replaces the honorarium I used to get paid. As an author, I get books at a discount and it is that gap that creates my honorarium. There must be 100 people in attendance. If there are not, you