CREATE a sense of BELONGING at your Event or in your Group
Does the word, “belong”, conjure up positive warm-fuzzy feelings for you or does it make your heart sink? Maybe it does a little of both? Most people have felt like an outsider at some time in their lives. It doesn’t feel good, does it? You, as a parent, a ministry leader or volunteer, a member of any group affected in some way by disability have an opportunity to help others have a positive experience in belonging.
Human beings were made to be in community. So often, though, when people go through challenging times, there is a tendency to isolate. There are many reasons why a person might want to shy away from associating with others. It is possible that they were hurt and have put their heart in protective mode so it doesn’t happen again. They may have so many responsibilities that there is little time for availing themselves of group activity. Oftentimes, folks are just plain tired. Maybe an effort has been made time after time to join in community and they just never could find a place they felt they truly fit.
We can make a difference for them.
Here are 4 things that we can do to help someone feel a sense of belonging:
INVITATION – Extend an invitation to someone to join you. Make it personal. Reaching out to someone specifically and directly makes the invitation genuine and the person feel cherished. Invite them to come with you or to meet you there. Person-to-person is the best way to invite someone to a group or an event. So, go for that in-person approach first. If you will not be seeing the person you want to invite, sending an email or a private message on social media, or texting is still directed to the person as an individual and is a viable option as well. Offer to pick them up or meet them at the door so they may walk into the group or event with you.
WELCOME – If you are hosting a group or an event, create an atmosphere of sincerity & warmth. How can you do that? Greet each individual with a warm smile and show that you are glad they have come. Introduce them to others in the group and expand their acquaintances in the room. We like to personally greet folks as they enter an event or group. If we cannot be available to do that because we need to focus on last minute preparation, we work on finding someone who can act as a greeter for us. Also, it is important for the newcomer to be accompanied to the location (a room, a table, etc.) rather than be told directions. Walking with an individual to the place they need to be alleviates anxiety and makes a person feel important.
ACCEPTANCE – Focus on similarities. As a group leader or even as someone who has the opportunity to get a conversation going, point out things many folks in the group have in common. Often it is a commonality – a shared experience – a common role — that draws people together. On the other side of that coin, we must have an appreciation for the uniqueness of differences.This makes a place for everyone. It is important that you take a minute to assess an extra accommodation that may be helpful to someone. For example, would a wheelchair be helpful? Does this person need to sit on the end of a row or need a little extra space at the table? If food is involved and it is served buffet style, ask the person if you could help them prepare a plate and offer to carry it for them.
FEELING VALUED AND APPRECIATED – Give people an opportunity to share about themselves but never be pushy. Be authentically interested in what is going on in their lives. Learn to listen well. Make the conversation with them all about them. If you know something about them that you appreciate, tell them. People need to be valued simply for being them. There is a difference between creating an atmosphere where folks are striving to fit in – trying to conform to what they think is expected of them vs. when a person is made to feel that they truly belong just simply because they are who they are. Show them an appreciation for their uniqueness, their giftedness, and maybe even give an avenue for them to contribute to the group.
Extending a personal invitation, greeting with a warm welcome, having a heart of acceptance by focusing on commonalities while appreciating differences, and valuing and validating the people in your group or at your event, will go miles in creating a space where people will feel at home, leaving them with a desire for more which will lead to giving that treasured sense of belonging.
If you would like us to ponder together ways that you can specifically help the folks in your group or at your event to get that sense of belonging, feel free to email us at Champions4Parents@gmail.com. We offer free coaching by Zoom or phone call or by email. Contact us today to get the conversation started.
Much love,
Tom and Julie Meekins
CONNECT WITH US:
We invite you to connect with Tom, Julie, and Amy through:
Email: champions4parents@gmail.com
Phone: 410-746-9010 (Voice or Text)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Champions4Parents
Don’t forget our website: www.Champions4Parents.com
And check out Amy’s book at www.HeartReCHARGE.com
