HELIUM STICK
FACILITATOR GUIDE
ITEM 610A
Team-building Workshop: Helium Stick
Introduction
Team building is an important step each team should take to ensure
success during the Toastmasters year. The following activity will assist
participants in building a strong, healthy team.
Overview
This activity involves participants working in teams to complete a task that
sounds relatively simple, but requires teamwork and communication to
accomplish.
Objectives
After completing this session, participants will be able to do the following:
Explain the importance of a well-functioning team
Apply the lessons they learned to their roles
Materials
One helium stick per team
PVC pipe or dowel long enough for all participants to stand
next to it while facing each other
A hula hoop works for groups of six or less
PowerPoint
Group Size
Teams of four to 15 participants
Setting
Large room with tables for each team and a large area in which all
team members can line up
Time
Approximately 30 minutes
Team-building Workshop: Helium Stick 1
Facilitator Guide
Process
1. SHOW Helium Stick Workshop slide as participants enter room.
2. SHOW Session Objectives slide.
3. PRESENT
After completing this session, you will be able to do the following:
Explain the importance of a well-functioning team
Apply the lessons you learned to your role
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Facilitator Guide
4. PRESENT
A well-functioning team requires communication.
Effective teamwork is essential.
5. SHOW the Teamwork slide.
6. SHOW the Why is Teamwork Important? slide.
7. ASK
Why is teamwork important?
When more points of view are considered, it results in a more
well-rounded and complete final product.
It supports an empowered way of working because team
members can depend on one another.
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Facilitator Guide
It promotes a sense of achievement and camaraderie.
It creates a motivated workplace.
It allows efficiency and speed.
NOTE TO FACILITATOR
For teams with more than six people, use a helium stick and instruct participants
to line up in two rows facing one another, holding out both arms and pointing
their index fingers.
For teams with six people or less, use a hula hoop and instruct participants to
arrange themselves in a circle, facing inwards, holding out both arms and
pointing their index fingers.
Once participants have arranged themselves appropriately, you will place the
helium stick or hula hoop on top of their fingers. Participants should only be
touching the stick, not grabbing or pinching it.
8. INSTRUCT participants to arrange themselves according to the
facilitator note.
9. TELL participants what you are doing as you place a helium stick on
their index fingers, adjusting their arms until each participants index
fingers touch the helium stick.
10. TELL participants that, when you tell them to begin, they have five
minutes to lower the sticks to the ground using the following rules:
Each participant must be in contact with the stick at all times.
You may not pinch or grab the stick.
If you break a rule, your team must start again.
11. INSTRUCT participants to begin.
5 minutes 12. TIME five minutes.
13. INSTRUCT participants to be seated.
14. ASK
How did the team function?
What were your teams strengths?
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Facilitator Guide
What were your teams frustrations?
How can you apply what you learned from this challenge to your
roles in Toastmasters?
15. DISCUSS for 10 minutes.
16. TIME 10 minutes. 10 minutes
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Facilitator Guide
Conclusion
1. SHOW the Conclusion slide.
2. PRESENT
Working together will help your team achieve success.
Remember what youve learned today as you complete your term.
3. INSTRUCT participants to share something they learned from this
session with another participant.
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