Start an Expert Giver Group
Leaders in Expert Giver Groups are trusted servants; they do not govern
When someone decides to start an Expert Giver Group, he or she initially assumes the three roles of Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. When the group has three or more members, they can decide how to divide up these responsibilities.
The Chairperson leads the general meetings and business meetings.
The Treasurer takes money from a passed basket, banks it, pays rent and other bills with it, and makes a regular report at the group’s monthly business meeting.
Online meetings: an online meeting has no rent and no expenses, so an online group passes no basket, collects no money, and does not need a Treasurer. The Chairperson and Secretary roles are enough.
Who holds an online meeting up. The online meeting is supported by the person starting the meeting, until they ask to be relieved of the position of meeting starter and request a volunteer to take over. Nobody is stuck with it, and nobody has to hand it over before they are ready — but somebody carries it until someone else volunteers.
Print this and put it up
A one-page flyer you can print at home and pin to a community board, a library, a church hall, a coffee shop, a recovery centre, or a laundromat. It has tear-off strips along the bottom with the website address, and a QR code. Nothing on it needs permission from anyone.
Download the flyer (PDF) Download the Starter Kit (PDF) Download the worksheets (PDF)
The Secretary takes notes at business meetings, keeps a list of members with contact information, and posts meeting notices on the web.
All of these positions are voluntary and temporary, with specific term limits to be decided at the first business meeting.
Initially, the Chairperson finds a location for the meetings, arranges terms for rent, if any, decides on a time to hold the weekly meetings. The meetings can be held in a member’s home or in a church or library.
When starting the very first general meeting, the Chairperson will propose a date and time for the monthly business meeting, to be agreed upon by the members. The date and time of the business meeting, which will be open to all members, will be announced at the beginning of every subsequent general meeting. At the first business meeting, and those following, the goal is to fill positions for the group with voluntary commitments from the members. The business meetings should operate according to Roberts Rules of Order, a simple formal way to hold meetings in an orderly fashion.
Step 7: Mentoring Others
Mentor others who are willing to go through the above steps. Be as unconditionally giving as you can in service to others. Be open to starting an Expert Giver Group in your area.
Offer your guidance as a mentor to guide other people through the steps.
When an Expert Giver Group is just beginning, the participants will not yet have experience completing the 7 Steps of Expert Giver Groups. Thus, at first, the participants will pair up to mentor each other.
When someone agrees to be your mentor, arrange a weekly time to get together with the goal of discussing and working through the 7 Steps.
The only requirement for membership
The only requirement for membership in an Expert Giver Group is the desire to become an Expert Giver.
You are a member of an Expert Giver Group if you say you are. No one may be refused.
There are no religious or political belief requirements, and no membership regulations of any kind.
Download the Starter Kit (PDF) Opening and closing a meeting