Student Life - Leadership Resources
Brainstorming & Goal Setting
The purpose of brainstorming is to encourage greater involvement
of members in the organization by allowing them to help create
the ideas used in a group. Using the method below allows the organization
to get input from all members rather than from just the dominating
members that speak up. Since all members participate in the formation
of the goals, they are more likely to be invested in the action
plans developed to accomplish each goal. When brainstorming, always
begin by establishing the purpose of the activity and acceptable
behavior guidelines.
Blue Dot/Red Dot
- Divide members into groups of 3 to 5 (depending on the size
of the organization) and give each group 5 sheets of paper and
a marker.
- Give the groups 20-30 minutes to generate goals for the organization.
Instruct them to only write one goal per sheet of paper.
- Have each group, one at a time, explain and hang on the wall
each of their goals. Put similar goals near or on top of each
other on the wall.
- Give everyone 3 blue dots and 3 red dots (stickers).
- First the blue dots: Blue indicates priority. Instruct everyone
to stick the blue dots on a goal they feel particularly strong
about or spread them out among their top three choices. Give
everyone time to distribute his or her blue dots.
- Now the red dots: Red dots indicate energy. Instruct members
to place the red dots on goals which they feel they have the
energy to accomplish or on the goals which they feel the combined
organization has energy to accomplish (may or may not be the
same goal(s) selected for the blue dots).
- Examine the goals that received a high number of blue dots
and red dots. These should be the goals your organization focuses
on for the upcoming year.
- At this point, form committees to look at each goal and write
objectives for each goal. Remind members that objectives should
indicate a plan for action and a time line for accomplishment.
- At future meetings ask the committees to report on their
progress. Committees should feel comfortable enlisting other
organization member's help since all members agreed to the importance
of the selected goals.
Note:
This activity will also work when trying to come up with ideas
for programs, events, and social functions for your organization.
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