Step 3. Build a CHEER Team

	Migrant boy cow-guardian, Abalak region, Niger Photo: © Crozet M. - ILO

Share what you have learned with others. Your sincere and passionate demonstration to take action will inspire others to get involved. They will become your teammates. Working together to fulfill one purpose can be enjoyable, enlightening, fulfilling and inspiring! You will move more quickly toward achieving your goal with the help of people who are as committed to an issue as you are.

How do I involve others?
Research is a good way to build knowledge and involve others. Individuals might learn about various aspects of the same issue. Subsequently, by peer teaching, the team will develop a fuller understanding of the issue.

Teamwork is critical. Welcome others' contributions. Everyone has different talents. Appreciate and maximize each others' strengths, and compensate for each others' weaknesses. Be inclusive. Accept and encourage each other. Learn from each other. Effective teams are often made up of diverse people, who can help each other see things differently and learn better ways of operating. Be available! Do every task, including the small or "menial" ones, with equal dedication. You work better together.

Remember, snowflakes are frail, but together they can stop traffic!

Where might I find teammates?
Brainstorm a list of people from your school, neighborhood, friends, sports teams, activities, place of worship, family and so on. Encourage team members to invite two people from their list of contacts. Groups that welcome new members are generally strengthened with the infusion of new skills and ideas.

Find different ways to add new members. Some groups always stay open. Others open periodically, such as at the beginning or end of a project, semester or year. If your group becomes too large for everyone to actively participate, you can sub-group, forming a second group in another room.

Form committees based on the projects for which you vote and want to work on, e.g., a Diner-Auction Committee. Share leadership. Elected leaders can serve on various committees.

The team will need a leader who is elected simply to represent the group. S/he is no better than any other member.

Characteristics to look for in a leader.
A leader:

1. Believes in people, trusts them and brings out their best qualities.
2. Puts him/herself in his/her teammates' shoes, helping them to realize their dreams and aspirations. Encourages or challenges individual team members in special ways.
3. Is patient when s/he asks a question and is sensitive to new members who are not ready to say or do anything. S/he gives people a chance to blossom because everyone is important. Still water often runs deep.
4. Eagerly works with his/her teammates setting an example instead of trying to do it alone or lording it over them, involves as many people as s/he can by asking them to help, considers everyone partners in the effort, and ensures that everyone shares in the rewards.
5. Is a self-starter; makes plans ahead of time and takes action. S/he does not just talk about it. S/he is both a dreamer and a doer.
6. Has a good sense of humor. S/he can laugh and him/herself and admit his/her own mistakes and shortcomings.
7. In humility considers others better than him/herself. Looks to the interests of others, not only to his/her own interests.
8. Builds people up and makes sure the team succeeds in its collective goals.
9. Is more interested in finding the best way than having his/her way. S/he is open to different ways of achieving the group's goals.