Today I am flying the Gadsden Flag, the Patriot Flag I fly when the post concerns Tea Parties or Taxes. Tea Party gatherings are “groups” and all groups are governed by a basic set of behavioral fundamentals. Summed, this phenomenon is called Group Dynamics. This post is for Tea Party Groups that are just starting up, or for those who have formed but are demonstrating difficulties.
All groups, be it 2 people or 200, will follow the same basic evolution from start-up to finish. Understanding those steps and the dynamics involved in each are key to a group’s success or failure. Because we hold a great deal of power, other groups will want to control us, so we must
beware of being hijacked by a political party. We must be vigilant, and if we stay true to our core values and mission statement, we will be successful. We simply cannot fail, success is our only option!
The Tea Party and Group Dynamics
The Mission Statement:
Start with a mission statement. The National Tea Party Patriots organization probably is one you should adopt:
Mission Statement
The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.
Core Values
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Constitutionally Limited Government
- Free Markets
Fiscal Responsibility: Fiscal Responsibility by government honors and respects the freedom of the individual to spend the money that is the fruit of their own labor. A constitutionally limited government, designed to protect the blessings of liberty, must be fiscally responsible or it must subject its citizenry to high levels of taxation that unjustly restrict the liberty our Constitution was designed to protect. Such runaway deficit spending as we now see in Washington D.C. compels us to take action as the increasing national debt is a grave threat to our national sovereignty and the personal and economic liberty of future generations.
Constitutionally Limited Government: We, the members of The Tea Party Patriots, are inspired by our founding documents and regard the Constitution of the United States to be the supreme law of the land. We believe that it is possible to know the original intent of the government our founders set forth, and stand in support of that intent. Like the founders, we support states’ rights for those powers not expressly stated in the Constitution. As the government is of the people, by the people and for the people, in all other matters we support the personal liberty of the individual, within the rule of law.
Free Markets: A free market is the economic consequence of personal liberty. The founders believed that personal and economic freedom were indivisible, as do we. Our current government’s interference distorts the free market and inhibits the pursuit of individual and economic liberty. Therefore, we support a return to the free market principles on which this nation was founded and oppose government intervention into the operations of private business.
Our Philosophy
Tea Party Patriots, Inc. as an organization believes in the Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government, and Free Markets. Tea Party Patriots, Inc. is a non-partisan grassroots organization of individuals united by our core values derived from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Bill Of Rights as explained in the Federalist Papers. We recognize and support the strength of grassroots organization powered by activism and civic responsibility at a local level. We hold that the United States is a republic conceived by its architects as a nation whose people were granted “unalienable rights” by our Creator. Chiefly among these are the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Tea Party Patriots stand with our founders, as heirs to the republic, to claim our rights and duties which preserve their legacy and our own. We hold, as did the founders, that there exists an inherent benefit to our country when private property and prosperity are secured by natural law and the rights of the individual.
Know the fundamentals of Group Dynamics
When people come together, especially in a “leaderless” environment, they go through the four stages of group dynamics on their journey from coming together to finally performing like professionals!
1. The Forming Stage:
- This is the beginning stage of development for any group. In this stage, people are generally excited about the prospects of coming together to start something new. At last, their ideas and their goals will be met. There are a lot of introductions, and people start (almost immediately) “selling” their ideas as the group begins discussions.
2. The Storming Stage:
- Bring together two people and you bring together to separate data sets of ideas. This because individuals have specific thought processes, the data sets of ideas may be pointed toward the same goal, but vary wildly in methodology. So when one person espouses an idea, it is not unusual for a second person to “oppose” that idea because they espouse a differing idea. The ‘storming’ happens when people realize the group is not going to adhere to their personal ideas. One idea may be accepted, the other rejected … which causes people to “fight” for acceptance of THEIR idea. Hence “storming” or arguments erupting, hurt feelings, sometimes resulting in disgusted persons actually leaving the group.
3. The Norming Stage:
- This is the point in a group’s evolution where the dynamics begin to cause excitement. The arguing and storming is in the past, the group is focused on singular ideas for a focused reason and all group members seek ways to streamline the processes so the group can pick up speed toward its goal. Along the way, there are still “bumps in the road” as conflicting ideas (remnant storming) are worked out and “normed” into a single methodology.
4. The Performing Stage:
- This is the goal of any group, and without guidance, surprising few actually attain this status. This is when all members of the group know their role, know the guidelines, adhere to the principles and put maximum effort into a focus drive toward the goal. Groups like this are difficult to sidetrack and being a member of such a group is the greatest reward the process permits.
New Members:
When you have a “performing” group and you add a new member, you will find yourself at the FIRST STAGE again. Your performing group understands the guidelines because they were part of discovering them … but the new person does not have that knowledge and understanding. So to bring a new person along and assimilate him/her into the group, the easiest way is with a group “mentor” or helper. This person should be skilled in teaching group dynamics and should carefully mentor the new person into the performance mode.
Walking the Talk
- The Mission Statement: Make sure every member of the group has access to the Mission Statement, either by a handout, web page, card for the wallet, etc. For potential (new) members, give the mission statement to the acolyte approaching the group and making it clear that “THIS” is what the group is and stands for will filter out the wrong people and encourage the right people for the group. People need to know the mission statement almost by heart. For the Tea Party Patriots, this is their “little Constitution” … and example of “how” they will operate and why it is important.
- Visible Core Values: Also place the “core values” in plain sight of every member of the group during meetings. When an idea strays from the core values, let it be known that it is “outside the boundary” of the group’s scope. There will be a few hurt feelings when an idea is rejected because it does not adhere to core values, but soon the group will “learn” their ideas must fit. This is key to keeping the group focused and saves it from being derailed by a good idea that has nothing to do with the purpose.
- Train Group Dynamics: Next, explain group dynamics to people entering the group and also to those already in the group who have not yet been exposed to it. People need to understand the four stages so they understand their feelings as they interact within the group.
The Hijacking of Energy
The greatest danger to the Tea Party Movement is the hijacking of its ideas. This often comes from outside the group, but you can also see it happening INSIDE a group. If the group is not adherent to its mission statement and core values, then the probability of valuable energy being siphoned off by parasitic elements is heightened. As stated in an earlier post (Conservatism-The Divided Attack) organizations, political parties, candidates … all are like “vehicles.” All need energy to “go fast.” The Tea Part Movement is pure ENERGY … that element all of the vehicles need. Don’t be surprised if a local politician draws near to siphon off some of the energy … they all need it and recognize the POWER of this movement. They will try. Only GIVE energy if it fits your mission statement and your core values.
Internally, beware of someone becoming outspoken about a potential candidate and is “campaigning” for the person rather than adhering to the mission statement and core values of the group. Campaigning is for political parties and we are not a political party. Let the “campaigner” know this behavior is counter-productive to the mission and core values of a Tea Party group. (Read the mission statement again, campaigning is not a part of it!). Don’t allow the energy to be drained away or captured. Guard it jealously … it is your political currency. Spend it when you VOTE!
- Example: In our local Tea Party Group, a politician asked to be a part of a rally. The coordinator for the rally said that we would be pleased to have them participate. She recommended the politician bring a lawn chair so he would be more comfortable sitting and listening to the ideas. Our politician got the drift of her message. They have done all the talking, now they need to do all the listening! Point made! No energy usurped.
Anger and Leadership Control:
Another common problem will be that there will be strongly opinionated people in the group. People are becoming angry with the government (75% of them, according to CNN think the government is a threat!). So “anger” is an inevitable element … people ARE upset, that’s why they go to the meetings, why they volunteer their time and contribute their energy. This “EMOTION” is the birth of ENERGY. Channel it toward our enemies, never at each other. So be ready for the anger. Allow it to vent, encourage people to “let it out.” Discuss it, then turn to the Mission Statement and Core Values again. People with strong opinions will automatically tend to assume leadership. Remind everyone that this is a “populist” movement and EVERYBODY is a leader. The trick is to make sure all the “leaders” are focused on the same goals and core values. (How many times have I said it? MISSION! CORE VALUES! Over and over).
Troubleshooting:
There is a tendency, when something goes wrong, to blame PEOPLE. “Sally, just doesn’t know how to run a group.” “I wish they would just do it right, instead of the way they are doing it!” You’ll hear all kinds of disparaging remarks. When you hear them, they are a signal that PEOPLE are being blamed.
In group dynamics … PEOPLE DO NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS …POOR PROCESSES CAUSE PROBLEMS. Never blame the person, ALWAYS suspect the process. Then FIX the process so the problem cannot happen again. Sometimes it is as simple is not having the mission statement available, or the core values are not visible … the most simple flaw in the process can cause immense problems. Too frequently, problems will occur when people stray from the mission and core values … or are not sufficiently trained in group dynamics to know what to expect of themselves and of others. When you are troubleshooting a problem in the group … these are the places to focus upon and repair.
The Bottom Line
Tea Party Groups are no different from another group and fundamental group dynamics will apply in every case. Be sure your group understands the dynamics, make sure everyone understands the Mission and keep the core values visible.
Our “friends” on the Left cannot wait for us to fail. They cannot wait to report the next “broken Tea Party group” or the latest “rift” in the Tea Party Movement. Most of this is typical smoke from the left, if it is not real, they simply invent it. So even if the Tea Party Movement ran perfectly (which it will not because it is made up of real people) … the headlines would still point out the failures. So we have to do everything in our power … as INDIVIDUALS to help keep the movement on track and focused. If you read the headlines, and believe them, you would laugh at the movement. But if you join a Tea Party Group and see what is really happening, you will ignore the headlines, hold your head proud, and know that you … RIGHT NOW … are just as important as the men who dressed up as Indians and threw the tea into the sea. This is YOUR TIME and YOUR TEA PARTY ……
Recent Posts, References and Updates
Gadsden Flag - Taxes & Tea Parties!
a subject The Patriot’s Flag will gather links for until we can DEFEAT this Hoax once and for all. We are looking at a 17% tax on Energy to cap greenhouse gasses … so we can “save the earth.” This is a tax based on a scientific hoax which we have validated as a hoax. We also know the awful and corrupt roots (the “trade” part) of this reoccurring political weed. So get yourself educated, we’ll start posting the links below to make research easy for you. The bill is called the “American Power Act” … a total misnomer, it should simply be called “A tax increase for everybody based on a hoax!” It is a liberal dream of more redistribution of wealth based on proven lies and corruption at the highest levels of this government. But this “redistribution of wealth” is different. It is not from the Rich to the Poor, it is from the Citizens (ALL CITIZENS) to the Government to pay for their out-0f-control spending spree!
Here’s where the jobs will come from:
Rasmussen
