I'm hoping you can help me.  I'm a fairly new SOWER and I'm going to be the GL for the first time in May.  I've observed that there is quite a diversity in GL "styles" and I was wondering if you had some tips that could help me (and my wife) be good Group Leaders.  Thanks!

Just a Little Nervous

Dear Nervous,

You are so very right that each Group Leader does indeed have his/her own style! We're all different people, come from different backgrounds, and have different ways of doing things. There are lots of things that go into being a good GL, but I think one of the most important is FLEXIBILITY!  Just as SOWERs has guidelines that hopefully help a project run smoothly, so does the project itself have certain expectations.  For example, if the project host suggests a different work schedule to accommodate their work/break schedule, it only makes sense to go with what the hosts suggests.  Some hosts like to be very involved in delegating jobs and will work right alongside SOWERs while others give the GL a job list and are rarely heard from again.  The key to being an effective group leader is being able to work with either situation (or any one in between!), knowing it is not about how you (the GL) want it done, but how the project host wants it done. One of the true blessings of the SOWER Ministry is its diversity - both in the workers and in the projects.   The same premise of flexibility holds true for the Lady GL too!  There is no need for her to be the "Social Chairman" (unless she wants to be!).  As long as everyone is made to feel welcome and included, and the women are comfortable in their job assignments ,  the whole LGL process should run smoothly.   Make sure you check out the "GL Training DVD" .  It gives you a good basis for the structure of being a GL. (If you don't have one, just give the office a call!)   And don't forget the greatest resource there is - call a GL that you were blessed to be working with and ask him for some pointers.  Remember, we're all in this together!