Tips for starting a ‘Meaningful Work Group’
■ Find people with whom to meet. We began with members who our pastor knew were searching for work. While the type of work and needs of each member diff ered, we found a schedule and agenda that enabled us to have substantive conversations. ■ Find a space. We began by meeting in a neutral and centrally located space (church) to avoid engen- dering the need to host or reciprocate. As relation- ships grew, members began hosting the meetings. ■ Keep it low-maintenance. Find a time and day that’s best, being sensitive to those who need child care. Searching for a job is taxing enough so make it as easy as possible for fellow job seekers to participate. ■ Consider group dynamics. Decide on frequency of meetings, who takes the lead in scheduling, and who keeps time so everyone has a chance to talk. Don’t get too wedded to one format, but do insist on consideration of other people’s time. As membership changes, so will dynamics. T e
SHUTTERSTOCK
to refl ect “You are the light of the world ... let your light so shine before others .…” We conducted mock inter- views and called on other congregational members as resources—combing Rolodexes for job leads and contacts. Christ Lutheran, a Reconciling in Christ congrega-
tion (welcoming to lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual people) took as its motto “God’s people are tested” during the AIDS epidemic. During this eco- nomic crisis, it adopted the mindset “God’s people are employed.” When that fi rst bold member who approached the
pastor about starting the group relocated for her new job, she emailed: “Please know this, that it takes a village not just to raise a child but to live as an adult. We need each other. I don’t believe in suff ering in silence. T e Bible is full of incidents of people crying out for help and asking to be healed. So ask and fi nd; knock and the door will be opened up to you. … Without you guys, my job search and fi nd would have been very lonely.” But she wasn’t the only one. All members of our
original group who were actively looking received off ers of meaningful work, and a new group of job seekers will form this fall.
self-managed “chaos” of our fi rst group turned out to be surprisingly energizing in a way that egged its members to take bold, uninhibited steps in their searches that would have been outside of their com- fort zones before joining the group. ■ Share responsibility. Early on decide how to com- municate (text, email or phone) and share contact information. Share resources and information that members fi nd and keep a central listing that you add to as you go along. Tap into other support groups in your area that may be able to supply resources, information and training that a small group may not be able to sustain. ■ Reach for help; celebrate success. Scour your congregation for resources. Tell members about your group and ask for their prayers, job leads and contacts. Tap into the professional contacts in your church. Public relations professionals, for example, can be helpful in teaching job seek- ers how to see and retell their story positively. When members have victories, let everybody know and give praise
accordingly. S.W. Senghor
Author bio: After practicing arts and media law for more than 30 years, followed by a stint of contract and writing assignments, Senghor
is self-employed as an immigration lawyer, specializing in business immigration and asylum law.
September 2014 31
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