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| Encounter Groups Future Solutions Now is forming additional “Encounter Groups" in the Montgomery area. The founder participates as a coach and mentor in the Encounter Group sessions. Different groups are formed based on similarities of participant's intake information gathered prior to the first group meeting. The agenda of the meetings, goals, and content of the group and related sessions are determined by the participants in the first meeting of each group. They select by unanimous vote a name for the group. Individual, couples, or family counseling is also available with the founder in private sessions. Although some group sessions may deal with a particular individual’s issue(s), the group makes a decision at the beginning of each session as to what will be discussed. The meetings are intended to help one develop a better understanding of oneself and how to develop better relationships with significant others. At the beginning of each meeting, a query is made by the founder for a topic of discussion and if agreed upon by the group, discussion centers on issues a participant and/or participants may be experiencing. To do this, three topics are queried for a vote by the founder, using parliamentary procedures, and there is a vote by a show of hands. The majority vote determines the session’s topic of discussion. “The good life comes from love and understanding. . . both for oneself and others” is the motto of the groups.
The founder designed this unique type of group and it was named “Encounter Group” because the sessions deal with people, their "daily encounters,” and how they interact in these situations. It is unlike any other group encounter, and has not followed another type of group agenda. It is an harmonious, organized group of people who agree that they want to improve the quality of life they now experience and their interrelationships by better understanding themselves and others. The groups mutually decide their planned strategic approach to achieve goals they accept in their "Group Plan." This is accomplished when participants learn how to interact in a more positive way. It could be called "group therapy" or a "Twelve Step Program," or any number of other things, but it actually is a cohesive, proactive group encounter that meets and bonds over time. . . sharing life experiences with others who they come to love, trust, respect and understand. This takes time, but each participant contributes and develops a posture the group responds to with a positive, enlightening spirit.
A participant may have no major problematic issues, but wants to take time out from a tedious schedule to enhance their life. On the other hand, one may be so overwhelmed with life issues that daily activities have become a maelstrom. Encounter Groups help participants build lasting relationships with others in the group. They eventually develop trust in others and also assist others in the group when they “encounter” difficult times. No matter how good it gets, all people encounter times of trials and tribulation. If life is going well for you, you can share your happiness, strengths, hopes, and courage with other people and reap the benefits of having helped a friend who one day will be there for you. This process becomes a meaningful two-way street. A very wise person once said, “one reaps the bountiful harvest if one fertilizes, hoes, and waters well,” or put another way. . .“you get out of life exactly what you put into it.”
Everyone in the group is expected to be a good listener, and to help and nurture one another. It is difficult to listen if you are talking most of the time. Non-supportive, negative, and/or controversial participants are privately asked to evaluate their outlook and involvement in the group, and if remedial action is not taken on their own accord, these participants may be asked to join another group’s encounter meetings and/or have private sessions; or discontinue involvement all together. After a few sessions, a participant may feel another group would be more to their satisfaction. Certain temperaments will never go well together. Since participants in other groups are not known, any change would be determined by the founder. The goal(s) of each group will be to form friendships and to bond with other contemporaries in a special way. This bond becomes an important part of each participant’s life if developed properly. Each session starts and ends with a prayer and meditation time. (This may be verbal or it may be silent meditation which is decided by the group in the beginning.) There are groups with many different conceptual and spiritual orientations—both Christian and otherwise. People from all ages, cultures, nationalities, races, and religions are welcome; i.e., an orientation is available for anyone. The participants are part of a group after the founder has made a careful analysis of their inborn temperaments. An APS profile is required by each participant to assist the founder in forming each group's membership selections. Participants are asked to commit to two encounter group sessions of about 1 to 1.5 hours in length. They are not required to attend more sessions if they desire to opt out. This is an individual decision. Participants will be asked to carefully study the 8-page Temperament Analysis Profile (TAP) Report. Its contents are never discussed in Encounter Group meetings unless a participant prefers to do so. The meetings are not intended to be counseling sessions, although much therapeutic value comes from each session and many issues are resolved. Each participant is asked to donate $100 to the Group Fund for training materials and other expenses for group gatherings, etc. Each participant is asked to sign an “Encounter Group Participation Agreement” in the second session, which is mutually accepted and agreed to by all participants in the first session. It includes the parameters that are to be followed in future meetings; i.e., you will be asked to sign the agreement you previously agreed upon. Your group will be comprised of up to 12 people (minimum of 6)whom you believe you can trust and who you are comfortable with. . . people who will be there when you are in need. If a person cannot help you on a certain occasion, another group member will cover the encounter for you. You are expected to make a commitment “to help others in the group" if called upon to do so by another participant. Requests are expected to be reasonable, and you do not have to accept to do anything if you do not feel comfortable about the request. Correspondingly, do not be concerned about calling on another person in the group if you need assistance. If a person is unsuccessful finding help in the group after three tries, the founder should be asked to help with the need of the participant. Upon contacting FSN about participation in an Encounter Group, you will be forwarded “Personal Intake Data Sheets" to complete (you can return by mail, email or fax). Be sure to supply an e-mail address and a phone/fax number by with the request. A narrative history (do not go over 1000 words) is requested which should cover your life, achievements, goals, education, work, hobbies, and pastimes. This narrative should be typed or computer generated, if you do not have access to a computer or spell check, do not be concerned about spelling, grammar, etc. Do you best and that will be acceptable. The Encounter Groups deal with daily life events, dreams, goals, traumatic issues (past and present), needs, wants, and other pressing issues as long as they are within mutually agreed upon group agenda guidelines. Some issues may be agreed upon as forbidden for group discussion. | |
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