AUTOGRAPHS: AN ICE BREAKER

Goals

To facilitate the getting-acquainted process in a large group.

To alleviate anxiety experienced during the beginning of a training session.

Group Size

Twenty or more participants.

Time Required

Approximately one-half hour.

Materials

One copy of the Autographs Work Sheet for each participant.

A pencil for each participant.

Physical Setting

A room large enough for participants to move around freely.

Process

1. The facilitator briefly discusses the goals of the activity' establishing the expectation that the experience will be both useful and fun.

2. The facilitator distributes one copy of the Autographs Work Sheet and a pencil to each participant and instructs the group members to follow the instructions on the form. He tells them that they have three minutes in which to select the ten autographs they want to solicit.

3. The facilitator announces the beginning of the autograph-seeking period, which will last approximately twenty minutes.

4. When almost all participants have completed the task, the facilitator calls for everyone’s attention and ends the activity. Any member who has an autograph missing can ask the entire group to find an appropriate person to sign.

5. The facilitator leads the group in debriefing the activity.

Variations

1. The list can be expanded or adapted to local conditions and issues.

2. Participants can be instructed to obtain as many autographs as possible.

3. Subgroups, based on some items, can be formed for discussion of the experience.