Former coordinator enrolling in new FPU class

[menken119]

A little background...

In February 2007, my wife and I enrolled in FPU at a church in our town. In August 2007, we "sold" our church on FPU and coordinated a class.

My wife and I were excited to see the new material and wanted to start another class, but our pastor wanted to wait until Fall.

So, we enrolled in a class at a different church - started last week.

We are interested in not only the material but how the coordinators will lead the class. The “main” coordinator has already retired and I think he said he is on step 5 or 6. The second coordinator is a younger woman (early 30s?) and still on step 2.

My wife and I respect our coordinator and really want the class to learn…our enthusiasm makes it hard to keep quiet and let the class discuss the questions. When the class was over I told my wife, “Man, I had to really bite my tongue at times.” She replied, “Me too!”

I may be starting to ramble on here, so let me get to the point…

We respect our coordinator and want to learn from him, not only the materials but how we can become better coordinators. We know it is his class, not ours.
We want to offer our input from our experiences, but at the same time want to support the coordinator without over stepping our bounds.
We want the class to learn things on their own…as we did, but have so much we want to share. Sometimes it is hard not to blurt out the answers!

Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!

[LLMum]

Share with the coordinator what you just shared here. I am sure she would appreciate your input and can tell you what she would be comfortable with. You might develop some physical cue that she can give you, if she thinks you are getting carried away with your enthusiasm and she starts to feel frustrated or like she is losing control of where she wants the discussion to go. Let her know that you won't take affront at being reined in!

[BzyBee DH]

I agree with the idea to set up a time/meeting with the existing coordinators to discuss it in detail.

Perhaps, they'll want you all to share your experiences in a planned way - or lead a particular class, etc.

[Roy Randolph]

Well as a FPU coordinator, I can tell you I am working on this same "issue". In my enthusiasm, I talk to much. I like you, am wanting to share all the mistakes I have made with money, so....LOL.... I can ramble on a lot!

There is one thing you have to keep in mind, as a coordinator (this is stated in the FPU coordinator guide) you shouldn't be speaking more than 10% of the time. Its Dave's job to do the teaching (via the video) and the coorinators guide to circle every one up and get the discussion started and then I try my best to shut up until I see the conversation is getting off track or a new discussion question is needed.

Being a participant, I would say if your coordinator is asking a question dont be the first to answer, let others have a chance. And if no one is contributing to the discussion, maybe you could chime in and help get it started. As a coordinator, I would appreciate that.

[Pam in GA]

Being a participant, I would say if your coordinator is asking a question dont be the first to answer, let others have a chance. And if no one is contributing to the discussion, maybe you could chime in and help get it started. As a coordinator, I would appreciate that.

I'm a small group leader at FPU, and I agree with what Roy has said. It's very helpful to have someone start talking, so if no one else is doing it please start the discussions! You just don't want to be the "know it all" that monopolizes the discussion. (And I know you won't because you've already kept quiet and are asking this question!)