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Appendix Two – The Methodology in Action - Page A2-7
After three years, the new convenors of the wider group had become unclear as to the
purpose of the ‘joint meetings’, and wondered in the monthly meeting whether they had
served their usefulness. However, members of the senior group who understood and
valued the opportunity of the meetings (despite concern at their under-use) encouraged
the convenors and the monthly meeting to ensure that the ‘joint meeting’ take place.
A ‘joint meeting’ took place, and the researcher attended. The list below is a catalogue
of observations and themes. This list was made by the author after writing and perusal
of field notes. These field notes were made just after the event, although the analysis of
the description of the meeting into these elements took much longer to accomplish.
Observations and themes
confusion about the identity of the group/meeting;
a group/meeting becoming overwhelmed with anxiety;
dual relationships – some members (particular those in the senior
group) are therapists and supervisors to other members
(particularly those in the wider group, although also to some in the
senior group), and this is never usually named when the groups
meet;
an attempt to deal with difficulty by disavowal of a need (“perhaps
we don’t need these meetings anymore”);
structure (unconscious or not) as impactful – because the room
was set up as a large group, with one row of chairs in a circle
facing each other), it easily became a large group;
this form of structure was used by a majority of members to
challenge the convenors’ planned structure of the meeting (i.e.
breaking into small groups
there was enactment of unfinished business from last time;
use of the group as a site for revenge or retaliation;
tension and enactment between elders may abet enactment