Few things are more frustrating than the kid who is in the program, but not into the program.  I call them the non-contributors.  They want all of the advantages of being in the group without putting in the work.  And if you are unfortunate enough to have several non-contributors, well, your group is in trouble of not meeting expectations.

It is easy to blame these kids when it happens, but in reality, it is our fault as leaders.  By accepting a student into the group and then not holding him responsible for his actions….or lack thereof….we are encouraging the non-contributor behavior.  Soon, we will have contributing members beginning to contribute less and less.  After all, we have shown that we are accepting of this type of behavior.  Then we will tell people that our group is demonstrating a “lack of buy-in.”  But yet they HAVE bought in.  They have bought in to not contributing.

Today, no every day, I encourage you to be unaccepting of the non-contributor.  If they are going to be IN the program, they need to be INTO the program.  All of it!  All of the time!  The most important thing for you to remember is that YOU are the person who will decide the fate of the non-contributor….and by extension….the fate of your program.  Just sayin’!

Make Today a Magnificent Day!

Gary L Rupert