Group Relations Development
refers to the intentional, skillful and respectful attempt to witness, understand and appreciate the experiences of others (their observations, feelings, thoughts and wants) within the understanding that the experiences of others is the result of (1) what happens to them, and (2) what they do with what happens to them (influenced by inner processes, states, motives etc.)
refers to the relations between (1) particular community groups, and/or (2) between the community as a whole and particular community groups
A constructive group relations development process typically attempts to achieve some or all of the following:
(1) increase mutual awareness, understanding and constructive empathy for the experiences and conditions that community members experience as a result of their membership within a particular group (e.g. relations between a growing immigrant/ethnic community and long term residents is increasingly tense and influenced by a general lack of mutual engagement, learning and appreciation)
(2) examine patterns of perception, inner experience, behavior and outcomes both within and between groups that influence the inter-group relationship (e.g. patterns of perception and behavior that exist within both the local police department and a particular nieghbourhood that influence patterns of engagement between the 2 groups)
(3) maintaining and strengthening the constructive relations that exist between groups within the community (e.g. the generally positive relationship between different religious groups within a community is maintained and developed by a process of checking in with one another)
CRD-Council, community member(s) and/or other community stakeholder(s) decides to sponsor a group relations development process for the purposes of achieving some of the outcomes listed above
The sponsor(s) contacts the Community Relations and Development Division (CRDD) of SCHAC to review the proposal
Sponsor(s) and staff from CRDC-SCHAC review the targeted situation (inter-group condition) and develop a proposal for the group relations development process (goals, general approach, location/facilities etc.)
Initiating Sponsor(s) secure a sponsor(s) from the other group(s) who are willing to help promote, organize and execute the event (with support from CRDD-SHAC)
Sponsors from each group and staff from CRDD-SHAC finalize the plan and execute the process
Sponsors from each group and staff from CRDC-SHAC conduct a review of the group relations development process and decide on next steps (if any). This review includes how the nature and outcomes of the completed process will be communicated to the community, and in particular, members of the represented groups
Note
Constructive and efficient support for group relations development process depends on the use of well designed processes and effective facilitation. The CRDD-SHAC will be able to provide support either directly or via a network of competent facilitators. CRD-Councils may have members who are sufficiently capable of faciltating the process
To access a guide for conducting a Group Relations Development Process click here
Click here to inform CRDD-SCHAC about your intent to conduct a Group Relations Development Process
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