Transcript Representing Others

The Duality of the Group Representative
Representing Others
Pre-test Activity
Introduction
• “It is a sacred trust to represent
others.”
• “To have the power to make
decisions which will affect the
lives of others temporarily or
permanently cannot be taken
lightly.
• “A great challenge while
representing others is to subdue
one’s own feelings when they
differ from those of the group.”
The Two Roles of the
Group Representative
• Representing the group
• Representing the
decision-making body
Representing the Group
Before Representing the Group
• Understand the nature of the problem.
• Have all the possible available facts.
• Get mood or feeling of the
group on the problem at hand.
• Determine special needs or
concerns of individuals or
the group as a whole.
During the Representation
of the Group
• State the group’s feeling or position.
• List/express minority
feeling of the group.
• Subdue personal
feelings in favor
of the group’s ideas.
After Representing the Group
• Report back to group results of from the
decision-making body.
• Report back their
stewardship —
what they did to
represent the group.
Representing the
Decision-making Body
Before the
Decision-making Meeting
• Understand nature of the problem.
• Consider/research possible alternatives.
• Determine the alternatives the group is
willing to accept.
• Try to understand the other groups who will
be represented at the meeting.
During the
Decision-making Meeting
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State the group’s feeling or position.
List/express minority feeling of the group.
Respect the opinions of others.
Compromise as necessary.
Be sensitive to personality
problems.
Ethical Dilemma
“Mr. President, Georgia seems to be split right down the
middle on this issue - the people are against it and I’m for it.”
“However, I'm afraid I'm not quite certain
whether representing the people
Means relying on their judgment or
on my own. In all fairness, until
I can figure that out, I'd better
lean a little on their side.
Georgia says nay.”
After the
Decision-making Meeting
• Report to the group the feelings or positions
of the other groups.
• Try to sell their group
on the decision(s),
build unified support
& secure compliance.
What Now?