Why should I participate in my FRG?
So, why should you participate? To put it frankly, should anything ever happen to your soldier or your family, it is very helpful to you if your husband’s Command knows how and where to reach you and/or your emergency contact(s). It does not hurt when they can put a name with a face, and they know to whom they are talking. There are other reasons too. Everyone has a need the FRG can fill. For instance, it can help put you in touch with financial institutions, child care facilities, and employment agencies if you are new to an area. As well, everyone has skills to offer—from creating the phone tree to fundraising and typing newsletters. Your help can make the FRG become a success and an asset to the unit.
In regards to your husband’s concerns (i.e. rumors), we would love to tell you that they are never an issue. Our Leaders are careful to not participate in rumors but be members of the “gossip police” by promoting honest, relevant, structured communication that all FRG members can rely upon. Just as family members rely on the FRG for information and structure, the FRG relies on its members for direction, and it is only as successful as you make it. The best way to make sure the FRG meets your needs is to let the group know what you want. If you do not like the way things are going, the power is in you to change it.
You know you are on the family roster because you have been called. But, that is not always the case. While an FRG is a command-sponsored program, the leaders and most of the participants are volunteers. The information chain can be slow and sometimes unreliable. If you are not getting calls from your FRG leader or the unit with information flow, call the unit and make sure that your contact information is updated and available. You might even ask for the leader’s name and number in order to introduce yourself. It is just as much your FRG leader’s responsibility to keep you informed as it is your responsibility to inform yourself. So, take that into consideration the next time you hear someone say, “Well, she never called me.” Ask yourself, “Did they go to the meeting? Have I taken every opportunity to inform myself of what is going on?” Probably not. Work with the FRG to create a better FRG.
In regards to your husband’s concerns (i.e. rumors), we would love to tell you that they are never an issue. Our Leaders are careful to not participate in rumors but be members of the “gossip police” by promoting honest, relevant, structured communication that all FRG members can rely upon. Just as family members rely on the FRG for information and structure, the FRG relies on its members for direction, and it is only as successful as you make it. The best way to make sure the FRG meets your needs is to let the group know what you want. If you do not like the way things are going, the power is in you to change it.
You know you are on the family roster because you have been called. But, that is not always the case. While an FRG is a command-sponsored program, the leaders and most of the participants are volunteers. The information chain can be slow and sometimes unreliable. If you are not getting calls from your FRG leader or the unit with information flow, call the unit and make sure that your contact information is updated and available. You might even ask for the leader’s name and number in order to introduce yourself. It is just as much your FRG leader’s responsibility to keep you informed as it is your responsibility to inform yourself. So, take that into consideration the next time you hear someone say, “Well, she never called me.” Ask yourself, “Did they go to the meeting? Have I taken every opportunity to inform myself of what is going on?” Probably not. Work with the FRG to create a better FRG.