The tone set at the beginning is especially important. Have music playing as folks enter the room. Have the blinds all the way open to let lights stream in.
Having food available from the start is a very welcoming thing. Often starting with a meal together provides an opening with a sense of group identity and well-being. - Tom
Matching. --Tree..............................Opening & Welcome -- the other "bookend" of a group process - wiki
It may be very important to invite participants to courageously model what they want to see in the group, right at the start. This can also be part of Setting Intention. -- Tom
The rhythm moves between Opening and Closing, they they are contained within Convergence/Divergence. - wiki
How we stage the opening sets a tone that either reflects the group's culture and/or starts to create the group culture. --Sue
A question can set the tone of an Opening and Welcome, frame its Purpose, and constitute an Invitation to the group. -- wiki
The invitation culminates with the opening in which those who have responded to the call convene. --Sue
The place is often referenced as part of the opening. --Tree
The Purpose of the group and gathering is featured in the Opening and Welcome to orient everyone to the reason for their work right at the beginning. -- Tom .................. Opening and Welcome is where the initial group Purpose is articulated. - Wiki
Encourage people right at the start to get rest if they need it, and let them know how and where to do that. -- Tom
To empower folks to participate, it's important for each voice to "enter the circle" at the start of an event. --Sue
In the Opening and Welcome it is important to be transparent about where this gathering came from, who is sponsoring and organizing it, and any potentially controversial interests or entities involved. Also true of Invitation. -- Tom
Welcoming the Whole System AS a whole system gets people off to a good start AS a whole system. It is something that's unusual and worth being proud and conscious of. -- Tom
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