As the group comes together, people will bring biases from their work backgrounds and different levels of acceptance to the efforts at hand. One thing we found to be effective in meetings is to bring toys. The toys provide an icebreaker as people enter the room. They help create a casual atmosphere and often start the group interaction before more serious issues are brought up. This can lead to a more open discussion.
Most people prefer items that can be thrown at each other, like soft-textured balls.
Balls, spring toys, and other small toys help loosen up the mood. There is just something special about watching two senior managers fight over a child's toy. It's my job to be better than the rest and that's a tough break for me. The SEPG holds the unenviable position of sitting somewhere between management and the practitioners. As a result, it must address the issues faced by each group.