Seeking ways to encourage group attendance
October 11, 2018 6:43 PM Subscribe
I am looking for ideas on how to encourage, reinforce, or incentivize attendance for my voluntary time management group. It’s been going okay, but we can do better.
The group is designed for college students as a peer-to-peer productivity group where students set weekly goals and tasks, anticipate obstacles, share ideas, try new techniques, and support one another in staying motivated and avoiding procrastination. Attendance is entirely voluntary, and the group works best when I can get a core group of at least 4 or 5 students coming each week. I have a budget of about $50 and do not anticipate that being increased. As the group leader, I am not a student, but I am also not an academic employee.
Techniques that I currently use to get students coming back include:
- Students write their name on a card for every group session they attend, and place the card in a glass jar that fills up with names as the semester goes along. At the end of the semester, I draw 2-3 names and award the winners a $10-$15 gift certificate for a local coffee/snack shop in easily walkable distance from campus.
- Each week, I hand out a few “challenge cards,” which are cards that have productive tasks written on them. Students that complete these tasks can bring the card back and add it the attendance jar, which increase their chances of winning.
- Group challenges: I set a “group attendance” challenge number at the start of each semester. If we get that total number of students in cumulative attendance by the second-to-final week, I purchase a pizza lunch for the group.
- Talking through things that may get in the way if attending a session, and talking those things through. (For example, it can be hard to come back after skipping a week, or when a student is already busy, or when they have not completed the tasks they have set. We try to set a tone of no-judgement, and always welcoming.)
- Identifying things they can do to help them get to the group each week—like telling someone else about it, or putting it in their calendar with a reminder, or packing a lunch the evening prior to bring along.
- Building in more participation to facilitate the sense of “ownership” of the group. I do this generally by inviting students to comment on each other’s challenges or issues. Students generally seem to be able to handle being directly called out to contribute to the discussion.
- Soliciting feedback on the group and incorporating whatever suggested changes I can.
- Scheduling the group during lunchtime at a large table where they can bring food and warm it up in an available microwave.
Things I have tried that did not work so well:
-Providing snacks each week. This was sort of a hassle to have to do and felt like a waste if the group was particularly small that week. (Some weeks attendance has been as low as 2 people.)
- Having the students text one another to remind each other to attend the group. I had mixed success with this one. I tried dividing them into two groups and seeing if we could use a “team” competition to see whose group could complete the text chain. A few students texted one another, most did not.
- Emailing the students a reminder 24-48 hours before each weekly meeting. I think this was the least helpful...plus having me directly take on that task doesn’t really fit in with the ethos of the group.
Would love any suggestions for ways to get students coming back, even if it’s just a modification to what we’re already doing.
The group is designed for college students as a peer-to-peer productivity group where students set weekly goals and tasks, anticipate obstacles, share ideas, try new techniques, and support one another in staying motivated and avoiding procrastination. Attendance is entirely voluntary, and the group works best when I can get a core group of at least 4 or 5 students coming each week. I have a budget of about $50 and do not anticipate that being increased. As the group leader, I am not a student, but I am also not an academic employee.
Techniques that I currently use to get students coming back include:
- Students write their name on a card for every group session they attend, and place the card in a glass jar that fills up with names as the semester goes along. At the end of the semester, I draw 2-3 names and award the winners a $10-$15 gift certificate for a local coffee/snack shop in easily walkable distance from campus.
- Each week, I hand out a few “challenge cards,” which are cards that have productive tasks written on them. Students that complete these tasks can bring the card back and add it the attendance jar, which increase their chances of winning.
- Group challenges: I set a “group attendance” challenge number at the start of each semester. If we get that total number of students in cumulative attendance by the second-to-final week, I purchase a pizza lunch for the group.
- Talking through things that may get in the way if attending a session, and talking those things through. (For example, it can be hard to come back after skipping a week, or when a student is already busy, or when they have not completed the tasks they have set. We try to set a tone of no-judgement, and always welcoming.)
- Identifying things they can do to help them get to the group each week—like telling someone else about it, or putting it in their calendar with a reminder, or packing a lunch the evening prior to bring along.
- Building in more participation to facilitate the sense of “ownership” of the group. I do this generally by inviting students to comment on each other’s challenges or issues. Students generally seem to be able to handle being directly called out to contribute to the discussion.
- Soliciting feedback on the group and incorporating whatever suggested changes I can.
- Scheduling the group during lunchtime at a large table where they can bring food and warm it up in an available microwave.
Things I have tried that did not work so well:
-Providing snacks each week. This was sort of a hassle to have to do and felt like a waste if the group was particularly small that week. (Some weeks attendance has been as low as 2 people.)
- Having the students text one another to remind each other to attend the group. I had mixed success with this one. I tried dividing them into two groups and seeing if we could use a “team” competition to see whose group could complete the text chain. A few students texted one another, most did not.
- Emailing the students a reminder 24-48 hours before each weekly meeting. I think this was the least helpful...plus having me directly take on that task doesn’t really fit in with the ethos of the group.
Would love any suggestions for ways to get students coming back, even if it’s just a modification to what we’re already doing.
Best answer: I don't know if you currently do this, but if not, I would have a schedule where each week a different student is in charge of facilitating the session. Not you. That way the student in charge will definitely come, and hopefully if the group is full of supportive people who care about each other, others who are friends with that student may feel a responsibility to come to support them.
The facilitator would be in charge of any organisational tasks that have to be done before the session, but also in structuring and running the session on the day - leading discussion, assigning tasks, or asking questions or whatever you are currently doing during the time. You'd want to have a roster for a few weeks at a time.
posted by lollusc at 7:04 PM on October 11, 2018 [3 favorites]
The facilitator would be in charge of any organisational tasks that have to be done before the session, but also in structuring and running the session on the day - leading discussion, assigning tasks, or asking questions or whatever you are currently doing during the time. You'd want to have a roster for a few weeks at a time.
posted by lollusc at 7:04 PM on October 11, 2018 [3 favorites]
Maybe the group could offer tutoring, or have the students help each other with their school work, or have speakers from various clubs on campus, or career-speakers...or definitely free food. I agree with the person above, that the incentive has to sort of be intrinsic to the group. Also just ask the students what they need and want from the group- they may have some ideas themselves.
posted by bquarters at 7:06 PM on October 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bquarters at 7:06 PM on October 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is this group a random collection of students who were interested enough to sign up, or is it some kind of remedial/therapeutic option for students who have been referred there or are required/encouraged to join for some reason?
posted by the agents of KAOS at 12:28 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by the agents of KAOS at 12:28 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Your focus seems to be on bringing people in initially and then on superficial means of encouraging attendance. Are you just looking for numbers of "butts in seats" or are you looking to provide real value to your audience? Seems like there's a disconnect between your audience and what you're offering if you've got low retention.
Why is the focus of your question not on the content and value of your meetings? If people aren't getting value out of the actual content of the meetings, snacks and prize drawings aren't going to keep them coming back.
Maybe do a focus group questionnaire for current and former attendees on what they were expecting, what they found valuable or what they didn't, what they liked or disliked, why they continue attending or why they stopped attending, and ask for suggestions on potential improvements?
posted by erst at 1:19 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
Why is the focus of your question not on the content and value of your meetings? If people aren't getting value out of the actual content of the meetings, snacks and prize drawings aren't going to keep them coming back.
Maybe do a focus group questionnaire for current and former attendees on what they were expecting, what they found valuable or what they didn't, what they liked or disliked, why they continue attending or why they stopped attending, and ask for suggestions on potential improvements?
posted by erst at 1:19 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
Any way you could set up an automated text alert 1-2 hours before the meeting, and let students sign up for that? Thinking back to my college years, that probably would've been the most effective at getting me to something.
posted by storytam at 2:47 AM on October 12, 2018
posted by storytam at 2:47 AM on October 12, 2018
Best answer: There's way too much long-term goal building and not enough short term achievement. They get pizza at the end of the semester? They get a gift card at the end of the semester, maybe?
It's peer oriented so put all the names in the hat, pull them, and give them Accountability Buddies. Buddies should check in with one another each week on the goals set the previous week, and check in about attending at the next session.
Can you do a random draw each week for something and let them know in advance by text what it will be? Can food services donate $5 vouchers? Can the photo copying place on campus? Is there a campus restaurant or store that would give you a 10% off voucher? Or could you provide a snack that isn't perishable so it could be used on following weeks, like candy or smartfood bags or something? You're going to be able to pick up massive numbers of fun-size candybar variety packs for very little money right after Halloween.
Just more.... immediate incentives?
posted by DarlingBri at 5:31 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's peer oriented so put all the names in the hat, pull them, and give them Accountability Buddies. Buddies should check in with one another each week on the goals set the previous week, and check in about attending at the next session.
Can you do a random draw each week for something and let them know in advance by text what it will be? Can food services donate $5 vouchers? Can the photo copying place on campus? Is there a campus restaurant or store that would give you a 10% off voucher? Or could you provide a snack that isn't perishable so it could be used on following weeks, like candy or smartfood bags or something? You're going to be able to pick up massive numbers of fun-size candybar variety packs for very little money right after Halloween.
Just more.... immediate incentives?
posted by DarlingBri at 5:31 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Agreed that you need very immediate rewards. If there’s any way to have some kind of food at each meeting that might help. But I have to warn you, people who procrastinate tend to be extremely anxious people and the thought of having to admit that you did not meet your goals for the week, even to a non-judge mental audience, is probably what’s keeping people away. Ufortunately. There may not be a lot that you can do to mitigate what is an essential part of the group’s reason for being.
posted by corey flood at 6:44 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by corey flood at 6:44 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: If I'm struggling with time management, taking the time to go to a time management meeting wouldn't be a high priority unless there were very obvious benefits. Going to meetings instead of getting actual work done can be another form of procrastination.
Definitely agree re focusing on immediate benefits and real value for encouraging attendance. How about making these meetings about getting stuff done? For example:
- Participants each have a time management accountability buddy and they hold each other accountable for concrete goals for the week at each meeting.
- During each meeting, have a designated time period for overcoming procrastination for specific projects. For example, a participant might be procrastinating on a long term paper. This person might be very interested in going to the next meeting if there's a set time for implementing a specific tactic for getting started on that paper, such as writing for 10 minutes, making an outline, writing a realistic to do list.
- Participants can take on specific time management techniques over a period of time and share the results at a meeting. For example, everyone can set their clocks forward by 5 minutes, see what happens over the course of a week or two, and then come together in a meeting to see if that time hack did anything for chronic tardiness.
posted by jcatus at 10:55 AM on October 12, 2018
Definitely agree re focusing on immediate benefits and real value for encouraging attendance. How about making these meetings about getting stuff done? For example:
- Participants each have a time management accountability buddy and they hold each other accountable for concrete goals for the week at each meeting.
- During each meeting, have a designated time period for overcoming procrastination for specific projects. For example, a participant might be procrastinating on a long term paper. This person might be very interested in going to the next meeting if there's a set time for implementing a specific tactic for getting started on that paper, such as writing for 10 minutes, making an outline, writing a realistic to do list.
- Participants can take on specific time management techniques over a period of time and share the results at a meeting. For example, everyone can set their clocks forward by 5 minutes, see what happens over the course of a week or two, and then come together in a meeting to see if that time hack did anything for chronic tardiness.
posted by jcatus at 10:55 AM on October 12, 2018
Ask your students. Seriously. They will tell you.
posted by Stewriffic at 11:55 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Stewriffic at 11:55 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
- During each meeting, have a designated time period for overcoming procrastination for specific projects. For example, a participant might be procrastinating on a long term paper. This person might be very interested in going to the next meeting if there's a set time for implementing a specific tactic for getting started on that paper, such as writing for 10 minutes, making an outline, writing a realistic to do list.
Yes, this is a great idea. I'm a major procrastinator and have huge problems with avoidance, etc. I've gotten better since my college days, but I think this is something that I would find hugely helpful.
posted by litera scripta manet at 12:51 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Yes, this is a great idea. I'm a major procrastinator and have huge problems with avoidance, etc. I've gotten better since my college days, but I think this is something that I would find hugely helpful.
posted by litera scripta manet at 12:51 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the answers and questions. To respond to questions above — this is a self-selecting group for the most part, no one is required to participate. We decided to offer the group as we are often asked by students if we have an offering like it. I do use questionnaires and also ask directly for new and different ways to add value or make the group more helpful. Love the ideas about the immediacy of the rewards and adding in during-group work time. Thanks again to all.
posted by dreamphone at 1:02 PM on October 12, 2018
posted by dreamphone at 1:02 PM on October 12, 2018
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posted by peacheater at 6:52 PM on October 11, 2018 [7 favorites]