How to start a Grow group
Anyone can help bring Grow to their community. Here’s the recommended path — some steps can happen out of order, but this is what’s involved. You won’t be doing it alone; support is there at every stage.
Preamble
Starting a group will most likely depend on you taking the initiative and being the group Organiser. You can do some of the following numbered steps out of order or take shortcuts; however, steps 1-14 are what’s normally required.
One of the easiest ways to form a new group is for an existing group to split its members and set up a new venue or meet at a different time at the same venue.
However, splitting a group may not be possible if you live in a town or city without a Grow group. The Grow Admin team encourages anyone to register their interest in starting a Grow group, even if you are relatively new to Grow.
To get started quickly, complete steps 1 to 3, then contact Grow Admin to register your group’s name (step 8). Our Admin team can help with other steps, such as choosing a venue (step 9). Grow’s Admin team can also help with any start-up costs, such as room hire, advertising, or books suitable for sharing educational readings with others in the group.
Note: You can start a group at any time. However, it may take time and perseverance before the group becomes established, that is, with a regular quorum of at least three members. To be the Organiser, you must be reasonably familiar with the Grow Journey book and comfortable using it to run your own group. We ask that you follow the Grow Group Method, found on the back pages of the Grow Journey book, to remain authentic and recognisable as a Grow group. There are only a few instances when the Group Method is not strictly followed in any week.
Join as an ordinary member and attend regularly — an established in-person or Zoom group — to get a feel for Grow.
Get the Grow Journey booklet, from your group or the shop.
Become familiar with the booklet and practise the Group Method (the meeting agenda found in its back pages).
Let your group Organiser know you’d like to start a group.
Where you can, become socially active in the Grow community — help organise and join outings, combined socials and online activities.
Gather friends and acquaintances who share an interest in forming a group and will support you by attending each week. (See group promotion for finding members.)
Choose an Organiser and a Recorder.
Apply to Grow administration to be officially recognised as a new, forming group.
Find a public venue for weekly meetings (ideally free until funding is found) — a private room in a church, library, CAB, community centre or community house.
Choose a convenient day and time for your weekly meeting.
Become a listed group on the website.
A mentor is appointed from within Grow to support the Organiser.
Once running, the Organiser and Recorder are invited to combined leader (O&R) meetings for extra support — on Zoom or in person.
Set aside regular social time to relax and have fun together. Strong friendships are what keep a group — and our mental health — thriving.
Bring Grow to your town
Starting a group is one of the most rewarding things you can do. We’ll help you every step of the way.