1. Have You Ever Climbed to the Highest Point in Your Country of Birth?

1. Have you ever climbed to the highest point in your country of birth? 2. Have you ever lived overseas for more than 1 year? 3. Have you ever sung karaoke? 4. Have you ever been without a shower for more than 2 weeks? 5. Do you have both a brother and a sister? 6. Have you ever ridden a horse? 7. Have you ever eaten frogs' legs? 8. Can you speak 3 or more languages? 9. Have you ever been in love with someone who was vegetarian? 10. Have you swum in 3 or more different oceans? 11. Have you ever flown an aeroplane? 12. Have you broken 3 or more bones in your body? 13. Have you done volunteer work sometime in the last month? 14. Have you ever free-climbed a tree or rockface more than 10 meters vertically? 15. Have you ever had a close relative who lived to over 100? 16. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 20 people? 17. Have you ever kept a budgerigar as a pet? 18. Have you ever been parachuting or done a bungee jump? 19. Can you not click your fingers on your non-dominant hand? 20. Have you ever seen a polar bear?  Knows their zodiac sign  From a northern state  Knows when Martin Luther King’s birthday is  Member of a sorority or fraternity  Has been a competitive athlete  Has traveled abroad  Knows how to polka 1.

 WE’D LIKE TO WELCOME . . . 1. With everyone in a big circle, call out a category; if the named category applies to anyone in the circle, they run and form an inner circle in the middle, perform a "positive recognition" (see number 2 above) for themselves, turn and face the outer circle, and then the outer circle performs a "positive recognition" for the inner group. The inner group returns to the large circle, and then you the facilitator call out another category. After you've called out a few, invite the group to call out categories that work for them. 2. Categories I've Used: You'll want to choose categories that are relevant for your group. For a group of AmeriCorps volunteers, I used Under 25; over 25; from Jackson, from north, south, out- of-state, a wife or husband, a mother or dad, a primary caregiver, exercise at least twice a week; currently attending J State, USM, Alcorn others; if you have completed a 2 year degree, a 4 year degree, if you have a masters or PhD, if you think that work is about more than getting a paycheck; if you have big dreams for the difference you can make; if you are an AmeriCorps member. Try to end your category list with one that brings everyone together. COMIC STRIP CHAOS: Each participant takes a turn at picking a comic frame out of the large container. After the entire group has each chosen one, the participants begin to search for others with the same comic strip sequence. After the participants have found everyone in their group, they must arrange themselves so that the sequence of frames are in chronological order to form the comic strip correctly. Upon completion of sequence, the newly formed group sits down together. Great game to break large group into smaller groups.

TRUTH, TRUTH, LIE: Give the group some time to write down two things about themselves that are true, and one thing that is a “lie.” Each group member will then share these facts about themselves and the rest of the group has to figure out which “fact” is actually a “lie.”

Circulate: Inside/Outside Circle Use this exercise when you have two groups who know the members of their own group, but have not previously met anyone from a second group.

Have the group form two concentric circles with the same number of participants in each circle - the people in inner circle facing outwards and the people in the outer circle facing inwards. The inner circle remains stationary and the outer circle moves one person anticlockwise every 30 seconds. The aim is for everyone to introduce themselves in the shortest possible time. (We could have them explain something or ask a question.)

Although everyone from one group will have met everyone from the other group, this exercise does not introduce everyone to everyone else. This can be done, but it is a bit tricky to work out. You'll be pleased to know that we have created a resource where all the combinations for 3–24 people have been worked out for you.

Alphabetic Introductions Each participant is asked to choose a letter of the alphabet. Duplicate letters are permitted. They are then given five minutes in which to describe themselves using single words beginning only with that letter. You could award a small prize for the person with the most number of words. A further optional stage is to ask participants to write down their chosen words on a sheet of paper with their name at the top and display it on the wall for the duration of the event. Others could be asked later on in the event as to whether the words accurately describe the individual.

Time Capsule This is a good exercise for practising reaching consensus and for team members to understand each others' values.

Have each member of the team list five items that they feel should be included in a time capsule that will be opened by another civilisation in five thousand years' time. Each member of the team should then explain the reasons for their choice. The team then reaches consensus on which five objects should be included in the time capsule. Ask each team to write their final choice of items on a flipchart and discuss and defend their choices with the whole group.

Either Or This is a another great exercise for helping larger groups of people to get to know each other better.

Get the group to stand in the middle of a large space. Then ask an either-or question and request the group to split up according to how they would answer the question. For example, you could ask them whether they prefer a sweet or savoury treat and then request that the people who have a 'sweet tooth' to go to one end of the room – and the people who have a 'savoury tooth' to go to the opposite end of the room. Ask another either-or question, but this time ask the people to congregate at the sides of the room so that everyone has to change position.

Choose a set of either-or questions that are relevant to the event and let the exercise continue until feel that the participants are starting to get to know each other.

Snap The aim of this exercise is to randomly select pairs. Using a graphics program and a selection of clip art, make up a set of duplicate designs or drawings so that you have the same number of #145;playing cards#146; as the number of participants. Deal one card to each member of the group and have them find their partner (who has the duplicate card).

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