20 Dec Inconsistent Attendance and the No Show

PURPOSE: Life is busy and it is common to have someone missing in group meetings.  You are not a failure as a leader if you do not achieve 100 percent attendance at every meeting. But if the same people always miss, (or never show for that matter) or if group members do not let you know they are not coming, it may create an unhealthy group culture.  Here we will show some ways to achieve more consistent attendance and pursue the no-show.

INCONSISTENT ATTENDANCE

• SET THE GROUND RULES

During the first several meetings, reaffirm the expectation that everyone should make every effort to be present at group meetings.

• PLAN AHEAD

Put group meetings on the calendar (there is a calendar on PCO you can use for your group).  Send out an email at the beginning of the month with the dates you will meet or that you will not be meeting.  That gives your members time to plan around what his happening in group.  Keep in mind, sometimes emails end up in a spam folder.  If you think this could be an issue, follow-up with text or even create your group and events using social media.

• ASK FOR ADVANCE WARNING WHEN SOMEONE KNOWS THEY WILL MISS

Let them know how important it is for them to notify you when they are going to miss.  This is very important, especially if you are planning a meal, an outing or planning on having group at another location that week.

• GIVE MEMBERS AN OUT

If you have a member that frequently misses, give them an opportunity to leave gracefully.  When you talk to them, let them know you understand how busy life is that they may need to take some time off from group.  Or, let them know you will be happy to help them find a group that better fits their schedule and needs.

• REMIND THE GROUP

Every once in a while, remind the group of how important it is to make every effort to be at group meetings.

 PURSUE THE NO-SHOW

• KEEP AN EYE OUT

Do you attend the same service and or campus?  Do you live near each other or work together?  Keep an eye out for the no-show.  If you see them in person don’t judge or attack them.  Instead, communicate your deep desire to help them connect to your group.

• CALL, TEXT OR EMAIL

After someone misses their first or second meeting and you have not run into them in person, give them a call, text or even email them.  If they don’t respond, try again in a few days or even the following week.

• FINAL WARNING

After their 3^rd time missing your group, call, text or email again.  If they don’t respond, see the next step.

• GIVE THEM AN OUT

If they don’t show after the 3^rd meeting, try calling one more time. If you had emailed previously, it is possible that your email may have went to spam.  So, this time maybe a phone call for a text would be best.    If your group is at max capacity (12 or whatever lower number you have set it to), gently and kindly let them know that there are others waiting to join and you would be happy to help them find another group that fits their schedule and meets their needs.

Sometimes people sign up but then fall off the radar.  Again, you are not a failure as a leader because someone does not show up. It just could be they were caught up in the excitement of joining a group and then got cold feet.