COUN 528 Handout #17
DEVELOPING A PROPOSAL FOR A GROUP
from Dr. Rosie Smead
Many good ideas for groups are never put into practice because they are not developed into a clear
and convincing proposal. If you are going to create a group under the auspices of an agency, you
probably will have to explain to representatives of the agency your proposed goals and methods.
The following questions are the kind you should consider in preparing your proposal:
1. What type of group will it be? A personal-growth type group or a group designed to treat people with
certain disorders? Long-term or short-term?
2. Whom is the group for? For a particular population, such as college students or married couples?
For people seeking something specific, such as personal growth or help with a personal problem?
3. What are your goals for this group? That is, what will members gain from participating in it?
4. Why do you feel that there's a need for such a group?
5. What are the basic assumptions underlying this project?
6. Who will lead the group? What are his or her qualifications?
7. What kind of screening and selection procedures will be used? What is the rationale for using these
particular procedures?
8. How many members will be in the group? Where will the group meet? How often? How long will
each meeting last? Will new people be allowed to join the group once it has started?
9. How will the group members be prepared for the group experience? What ground rules will be
established by the leader at the outset?
10. What kind of structure will the group have? What techniques will be used? Why are these
techniques appropriate?
11. How will you handle the fact that people will be taking some risks by participating in the group?
What will you tell the members about these risks, and what will you do to safeguard members from
unnecessary risks? Will you take any special precautions with participants who are minors?
12. What evaluation procedures do you plan? What follow-up procedures?
13. What kinds of topics will be explored in this group? To what degree will this be determined by the
group members and to what degree by the leader?
14. What do you expect to be the characteristics of the various stages of the group? What is the function
of the leader at each stage? What might the problems be at each stage, and how will the leader cope
with them?
