THE INTRAGROUP DYNAMICS OF MAINTAINING A SUCCESSFUL GRASS-ROOTS ORGANIZATION - A CASE-STUDY

We suggest that key components of intragroup dynamics, including coord ination, motivation, and group identification, are important for deter mining whether a grassroots group will function well, maintain itself over time, and regularly achieve ''successes'' as defined by the group . These processes were examined in a case study of a grassroots peace organization. The evaluation was carried out via an interview with the director and a survey of the group's volunteers. The director's perce ptions of the quality of intragroup dynamics within this group are dis cussed in conjunction with the responses of the surveyed volunteers. T his study showed that the group puts considerable effort into coordina ting their activities and implementing strategies to motivate their vo lunteers. Nevertheless, it appeared that the group was move purposeful in their efforts toward coordination than toward motivating members. Future research will need to involve other groups, as well as identify which specific intragroup components are most important for grassroot s success.