How do men’s groups work? What are some men’s group rules and guidelines? What should I know before joining a men’s group? What are the benefits of joining a men’s group? If you have been looking for answers to these questions, you have come to the right place.
My name is Sean Galla. I am a men’s support group facilitator with over 10 years of experience. Part of my journey as a group leader has been overseeing Men’s groups and enforcing group management ground rules and guidelines. My own experience has given me the privilege of witnessing how beneficial being part of a men’s group can be and how these rules and guidelines help men.
If you are considering joining a men’s group, this article has all the information you need to understand how men’s groups work and get you started.
Table of Contents:
What is a men’s group?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions by new members interested in joining men’s groups.
A men’s group can be defined as a group of men who meet regularly to brainstorm, advise, and support one another through individual self-actualization journeys. While it is almost similar to mentoring, men’s groups comprise members who mutually give and receive advice. They are also about brainstorming and addressing men’s issues that hinder success or advancement.
If you talk to successful people about how they reached their height of success, they will give testimonies about how they had a team of supporters and mentors who helped them in their journey. Successful people understand an important concept: they need to surround themselves with a group of people who have attained the kind of success they aspired to attain. This is what a men’s group is.
The idea of a men’s group was first made popular by Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich and The Law of Success. In his books, he defines a men’s group as “A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.”
While Napoleon’s definition is right, a men’s group can also be defined as a small group seeking accelerated growth in different life capacities. Because of this need for growth, the men’s group members commit to meeting and regularly networking in person or online.
Men’s group meetings aim to discuss careers and business goals, and build lasting networks to help the members reach the set goals. This can only be done in a network of like-minded people who keep each other accountable.
What are the goals of men’s groups? Find out here.
Types of men’s group groups
Are men’s groups helpful? Men’s groups range from informal meetings to regular groups comprising small groups of three or more members interested in mutual help.
In-person groups
These types of men’s groups meet in public places or health care centres. They address different issues faced by the members and offer a group-based solution. This includes issues such as mental illness like bipolar, substance use disorders, access to health services, and other issues standing in the way of them becoming better people. Such a meeting can occur once a week, bi-weekly or once a month, depending on the group’s mandate.
Online groups
Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of online-based peer support men’s groups. These online men’s group programs represent a growing trend in modern-day human services help where members share in group meetings held in chat rooms, forums, or closed social networks. The main benefit of online men’s groups is that online platforms are available around the clock, which is impossible with in-person group meetings.
Most of the time, online support groups are led by a moderator who are not necessarily health professionals, who guides the conversation and offers helpful resources to the members for smart recovery.
Whether you live in the heart of New York or somewhere in Europe, you can find an online men’s group through online referrals at the click of a button. Mensgroup.com and the mankind project are some of the most popular online-based men’s groups today.
For a men’s group to be beneficial to its members, it has to be governed by rules and regulations. This makes it easier for members to openly share without fear of being judged or discussing their issues outside of the group setup.
Men’s group rules and guidelines
Should I join a men’s group? To become a member of any men’s group, you must learn and understand the rules governing these groups and take full responsibility for them. All members of a men’s group are expected to agree and adhere to the set rules and guidelines before they can become part of the social circle of men.
Confidentiality
This is by far one of the most important men’s group rules and guidelines. ‘What is said in this room stays in this room’ is the mantra for all men’s groups. By ensuring confidentiality, men’s group members feel safe to share even the most intricate details of their own process without fearing that the stories will get outside the group.
Confidentiality in a group is also about keeping the members of the group private. Most men’s groups do not allow members to talk about other group members outside of the group setup.
Respect
Members of a men’s group are expected to take the personal responsibility of ensuring they treat each other with respect. Respect in the circle of men ensures that men learn to speak in turn while practicing active listening whenever others are sharing. It is believed that showing respect to other members is also an ideal way of practicing self-respect. Therefore, members are expected to always address one another with respect.
Respect also involves respecting other members’’ personal space, boundaries and feelings.
Active participation
For any group to thrive and members to experience personal growth, it is essential for all members to participate in the conversations actively. However, members are only obligated to share if they are ready. Active participation also includes regular attendance to group meetings, participating in group activities and expressing your views on different issues even when you do not want to talk about your personal experiences.
Taking part in group conversations and sharing about yourself gives the group a sense of safety and openness, which contributes significantly to the group’s success and members’ well-being.
Commitment
For the men’s group to function, group members need to be present participants. Members often say that seeing others sharing and contributing is the motivation factor that keeps them going to the meetings. As a member, you should purpose to attend most, if not all, meetings and remain committed to the process to benefit from it.
Open communication
Communication is the basis of any men’s group support group. For your men’s group to work and benefit the members, it is essential for participants to practice open communication. In a men’s group, men are free to share their fears, feelings and thoughts. This will enable a deeper connection, and a good group works best when members communicate effectively.
Honesty
As a member, you must be honest with yourself and the group. This includes being honest with your words and feelings. This is the only way to own the feelings and identify areas in your life that may require improvement or guidance.
Zero tolerance to bullying
As with any other group, men’s groups comprise people from different walks of life, experiencing different life issues. To ensure fairness in the group, men’s groups have zero tolerance to bullying, aggressive or passive-aggressive. This is ensured for the safety of all members and because a men’s group is supposed to be a safe space for all members.
Is men’s group worth it? learn more in this article.
About MensGroup
https://stagingwpx.mensgroup.com/
Lack of a trustworthy support system is one of the major causes of mental health issues amongst men. MensGroup is an online men’s self-improvement group that offers group support, help, and guidance to men interested in becoming better versions of themselves.
Our men’s groups are made up of a supportive network of men ready and willing to help others like them through shared life experiences. MensGroup uses different group activities for service delivery. The mensgroup.com self-help session contains relevant information to help you lead a better life. It is more than just a self-help group. It will equip you with the necessary resources to become a better man and lead a more fulfilling life.
As an online support group for men, the group meets virtually over Zoom, making it perfect for busy men who prefer not to attend physical meetings or men who prefer to remain anonymous.
Men’s Group Rules and Guidelines – Conclusion
One of the leading reasons men avoid therapy is the fear that their issues will not be kept confidential. The best men’s groups enforce the rules above and more to ensure confidentiality and trust among members.
If you are looking for a men’s support group you can trust, MensGroup is one of the best options today. As an online-based group, you can catch a meeting from anywhere in the world.
The possibilities of success once you join a men’s group are tremendous. Only through a self-help group can you truly enjoy a better, happier life.
