In the beginning, RCSP project leaders found it challenging to recruit members and build recovery community organizations. By trial and error, as well as learning about organization development, they found out what worked in engaging and retaining members of the recovery community in project activities.

Lessons Learned: Value of Participatory Processes

Project leaders developed many new skills. One skill was found to be so important that they made it a core value: encouraging members to participate actively in making decisions about the group, its vision, mission, goals, and objectives. The importance of leading in a participatory way emerged from the finding that when the leader or a small group of leaders make decisions, people often stop coming to meetings and participating in activities.

Participatory processes were defined as processes in which everyone could share and take part. Using these processes helps ensure that everyone will "buy in" to the group and become connected to it. When members shared in shaping vision and mission, for example, they began to feel it was "their group."

Collateral Benefits

Other benefits emerged from using participatory processes. Being asked to contribute your opinion means that you are valued. This was empowering to many participants who had never experienced this kind of involvement before. Using participatory processes also increases the authenticity of the group and generates a sense of group pride and ownership.