Example: manage group dynamics, facilitate discussions and engagement processes

Grace is a community development worker who has been asked by a core group of people with a disability within the community to support their goals. The group members all receive services from a local community services provider and are seeking other people to join their group and lobby for increased services in the community.

Grace met with the community group and after hearing their goals, she has been working with them to expand the group and a greater awareness of disability issues in the local community. With the group’s consent, she has devised an inclusion strategy, seeking to invite more people to join the group and expand their activities.

As part of this inclusion strategy, Grace advertised a Christmas party for people who attend the community services provider, hosted by the community group. Many people attended the party, where they were given a flyer about the community group, inviting their participation and attendance at a community meeting.

The meeting was set for a week’s time and Grace also invited other community members, a local councillor and the head of the service to attend. The meeting became heated when core group members expressed their anger at service cutbacks. Grace ensured that everyone had a chance to speak and documented what was said. Both the local councillor and the head of the service agreed to form a task force with the group to address their needs.