Nice to meet you!

A group of Community Volunteers meets for the first time to plan and raise funds for building a neighbourhood playground. Although Dave, Betty, Ray, Bill & Aisha Live in the same community, they do not know one another. They begin the meeting by introducing them-selves. they all smile a lot, but communication seems a bit stiff & awkward. Bettys Handshake connects to other members only at her fingertips, while Ray and Bill offer firm handshake. As Aisha Introduces herself, she giggles and runs a hand through her long hair. Dave Sits at the head of the table and chairs the meeting.

Aisha has come to the meeting well prepared. she hesitantly raises her hand to speak and Dave Recognizes her. She reports that, according to her research, a simple playground can range from $ 5,000 to $50,000. She suggests that $35,000 would be good target budget. Bill starts to respond by saying, well, uh. But when he sees that Ray has raised his hand, he concludes with Go Ahead. Ray Says, Oh, I was going to say -ah-Ive looked it over a bit. $35,000 is-ah-I dont know-I guess that would be good, but I think we should stay as high as we can. Bill now responds with Ah- I was thinking just the opposite- Kind of- we should go lower-uh. ...Dave Interrupts and suggests that they go with $35,000 as Aisha Proposed, just to get started. Bill seems a bit annoyed with Daves Suggestion, but doesnt say anything.

Dave notes that regardless of the cost, they need to discuss ways of raising money for the playground. At this point Aisha begins taking notes. Betty says, Well it worked at our Church- in the other city where I lived... we had great bake salestwice a year. Ray politely tells Batty that a bake sale is a great idea, but that may not raise enough funds. The rest of the group Grimaces and Ignores Bettys offer to run a bake sale. Aisha Then asks if group members know anyone who works for a foundation that might donate some of the money. Betty reveals that she has a dear friend who is actively involved in a large, local foundation. The group sits up and pays lot more attention to Betty. Ray even jokes that may be foundation can help with the bake sale, too. Everyone Laughs.

Only three Minutes of meeting have gone by. the group has lot more to discuss but members have slowly become better acquainted with one another and have a better feeling about how they will work together and get along.

Questions.

1. What verbal and Nonverbal behaviours demonstrated by forming stage of group development?
2. In your Opinion, which members are most likely to compete for status and influence in the storming stage.
3. What strategies did group members use or should they have used to decrease primary tension?
4. What, if any, Dialectic tensions will affect how well this group achieves its goal and how well members get along with one another?
5. What implicit norms emerged during the discussion and did these norms help the group move through the forming stage?