Group Assignment Prep Talk

The purpose of this assignment is to (a) understand and practice interpersonal, group, and public communication skills, and (b) engage interest in your community, consistent with Gen Ed Goal 1, as well as YSU Mission and Vision Statements.

Graded Items (total - 200 points for the entire assignment):

• Reflective Thinking Method (Group RTM) - 30 points
• Group Outline - 50 points 
• Presentation - 100 points 
• Group Evaluation - 20 points 

The Philanthropist

A local philanthropist has hired your consulting firm (your group) to help him find a non-profit organization that is addressing a worthy cause to donate his money. This non-profit organization can be located at any level, local, state, national, or global. As a group, you must engage in group discussion and try to come to a consensus on a worthy non-profit organization. This activity should begin with each member of the group brainstorming a variety of worthy causes/organizations, so that you will have something to contribute to the online group discussion.  

Each group of 5 people chooses a specific problem occurring in the greater Mahoning and Shenango Valley areas. Each group must agree on one clear problem question and receive instructor approval (submit Topic Approval Form).
 

Example problem questions (these are just some ideas - be creative!):
 

What can be done about hunger in Youngstown? What can be done for at-risk youth? What can be done about animal cruelty? What can be done to increase voter turnout? Reduce violent crime? What can Youngstown do to further revitalize?
 

Group Application of RTM. Each group should complete the RTM utilizing at least six “credible” sources of information.  Citations of information from these sources are required and a reference page listing the sources should be attached. Each group must provide answers for ALL questions on the RTM worksheet. Note: completion of the group RTM is a required component of the group project and is worth 5% of your final group grade. WORK TOGETHER to discover the best solution(s) to the problem. 
 

Typed Outline. Groups will complete a typed outline. Note: completion of the outline for the group presentation is worth 25% of the final group grade.  See the guidelines for preparing the typed outline below.

Presentation:  Each group will coherently unify and present its information using the Monroe Model. Presentations are 20-25 minutes. The presentation should include both a reference to the group’s RTM findings and a brief analysis of the group communication. Each student is expected to have a significant part in the presentation. Each group member receives the same grade for this assignment, although instructors reserve the right to make grade adjustments in unusual circumstances. Your instructor may require PowerPoint. 

Note: the presentation is worth 50% of your group grade and a combined 20% of final grade.