I choose to sit in on the meetings being held by a Fire Department Stationed in Garland NC. I was given the privilege to do so by Fire Chief Brandon Easton. The fire department holds its meeting every Wednesday at 7:00pm. I choose this group to research due to my interest in community service and firefighting. In the first meeting I attended I was introduced by Mayor Anthony Johnson. I was given the opportunity to shake hands with all the members. While doing so Mr. Johnson explained to everyone that I would be attended the next few scheduled meetings, so that I may be able to increase my knowledge on the processes of decision making in groups.

Members:

Member (1) Brandon/Caucasian Male: Brandon is 46yrs old, very active in the community. His attitude is some what laid back. (Chief Fireman)

Member (2) James/African American Male: James is 29yrs old, very positive and outgoing shows feeling and emotions. (Firefighter)

Member (3) Haywood/African American Male: Haywood is 52yrs old. The Veteran of the group. He has good leadership skills, a member of the town board of commissioners for 11yrs.

Member (4) Ricky/Caucasian Male: Ricky is 51yrs and is the head of the town Treasury. He is a very responsible and focused member of the group.

Member (5) Anthony/Caucasian Male: 48yrs old; Anthony has been the mayor of the town for the past 6 years. He is very outgoing, generous and works hard to satisfy the needs of the town.

After I had been introduced, the meeting proceeded to the group’s first debate topic. Ricky announced the topic was of an old fire truck. (See Appendix A) The fire truck was nearly 14 years old and needed several new parts in order to be dependable. Mr. Haywood was curious to know just what parts needed to be replaced. James stated that Hydraulic Pump, Clutch and Rack and Pinion all needed to be replaced. Everyone in the group shared their thoughts and opinions on the situation. After briefly discussing it for a while, Mayor decided for the group to meet again next Sunday at 7:00pm and for Mr. James to bring in at list of prices for the new parts. He also asked that the other members of the group to be thinking of other solutions. At meeting (2) Mayor Anthony started out by asking Mr. James was he able to present to the members the list and the prices of the new parts needed. (See Appendix A) Mr. James presented the list and the prices using very effective communications skills. He explained to the members that the exact price of the new parts depended on the condition of the old parts and whether or not they would be considered for a core charge if returned the store. Chief Brandon then asked the group was their any other suggestion or solutions to help fix this problem. (See Appendix A) The group briefly discussed solutions and then calmly came to a Consensus that the best thing to do is to buy the new parts. I noticed during the discussions that James, Haywood and Brandon seem to persuade and highly recommend that the board vote to buy the new parts over any other solutions. The really brought the energy and determination to meeting tonight. Every opinion and solution presented was noted and copied down by Mr. Anthony. The meeting came to an end by Mayor Anthony stating that at the next meeting we would discuss the overall price of the parts and labor along with Fire Department Spending Budget. He asked that Mr. Ricky bring the information needed and to be ready to present it. At meeting (3) all that was asked was presented, Mr. Ricky wasted no time discussion the Fire Department Spending Budget. After all the facts were presented, Mr. Haywood then asked James to announce the overall price of the parts and labor. The price of parts and labor to fix the fire truck were just under the fire department budget. The Mayor then stated that the decision to buy new parts and to fix the truck would be put into action as soon as possible. In conclusion I would like to state that from my observation the group showed great communication skills. The group verbalized and communicated issues without having to try and out talk anyone or try to dominate the conversation. They also showed great group critical thinking skills, especially when deciding whether or not to fix the truck. From this observation I have learned that people from all different ages and professions can work together to be a successful group. (See Appendix C)

|Functional Task Roles of |Brandon |James |Haywood |Ricky |Anthony |
|Discussants | | | | | |
|1. Initiator | | | |X | |
|2. Information seeker | | |X | |X |
|3. Information Giver | |X | | | |
|4. Opinion Seeker |X | | | |X |
|5. Opinion Giver |X | |X | | |
|6. Elaborator-Clarifier | | | |X | |
|7. Coordinator | |X | | | |
|8. Diagnostician | | | | | |
|9. Orienter | | |X | | |
|10. Energizer |X |X | | | |
|11. Recorder | | | | |X |
|12. Evaluator -Critic |X | | | | |
|13. Procedural Technician| | | | | |

Appendix (A)

Appendix (B)

|Social Emotional Roles |Brandon |James |Haywood |Ricky |Anthony |
|1. Supporter Encourager | |X | | | |
|2. Harmonizer | | | |X | |
|3. Tension releaser | | | |X |X |
|4. Compromiser |X | |X | | |
|5. Gatekeeper | | | | |X |
|6. Feeling Expresser |X |X | | | |
|7. Standard Setter | |X |X | | |
|8. Follower |X | | | | |

.

Appendix (C)

Rate the group on the following: Poor, Fair, Average, Very Good, Excellent

Very Good 1. How well did the group understand the problem? Excellent 2. How adequately did the group discuss the causes? Fair 3. How adequately were criteria generated? Good 4. How adequately did the group explore solutions? Very Good 5. How systematically did the group apply criteria? Good 6. How well did the group’s solutions meet causes? Good 7. How well did this group interact? Very Good 8. How well did the group handle conflict? Very Good 9. How well did the group involve its members? 10. How well did the group use available information? Very Good 11. How well were the group’s conclusions summarized as it all progressed? Good 12. Did the group achieve consensus on the decision? Yes, they decided to repair the fire truck.