SayPro Team-Building Activity Template: Detailed instructions for each activity, including objectives, materials, time required, and facilitation guidelines.

SayPro Team-Building Activity Template

This template outlines detailed instructions for planning and executing team-building activities for SayPro. The activities aim to foster collaboration, communication, trust, and problem-solving skills among team members. Each activity includes objectives, materials, time required, and facilitation guidelines to ensure a smooth and impactful experience.

1. Activity: The Marshmallow Challenge

Objective:
The goal of this activity is to encourage collaboration, innovation, and creative problem-solving within the team. It also emphasizes the importance of prototyping and iteration.

Materials:
– 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti per team
– 1 yard of masking tape per team
– 1 yard of string per team
– 1 marshmallow per team
– Scissors
– Timer

Time Required:
– Total Time: 18 minutes
– Introduction and Instructions: 2 minutes
– Activity: 15 minutes
– Debrief: 1 minute

Facilitation Guidelines:
1. Introduction (2 minutes):
– Explain the objective: Build the tallest structure possible with the materials provided. The marshmallow must be placed on top of the structure.
– Stress that teams will have 18 minutes to complete the challenge.
– Ensure each team has the required materials.

2. Activity (15 minutes):
– Start the timer and allow teams to begin building their structures.
– Encourage teams to experiment with different designs and strategies.
– As the activity progresses, remind teams to keep the marshmallow on top of their structure.
– Walk around to observe and offer guidance or encouragement without providing direct solutions.

3. Debrief (1 minute):
– Ask teams to share their experience, challenges, and strategies.
– Highlight the importance of collaboration, communication, and iteration.
– Reflect on how rapid prototyping and testing led to better solutions.

2. Activity: Two Truths and a Lie

Objective:
To help team members get to know each other in a fun and engaging way. This activity builds rapport, trust, and communication among the team.

Materials:
– None (no materials needed)

Time Required:
– Total Time: 15 minutes
– Instructions: 2 minutes
– Activity: 10 minutes
– Debrief: 3 minutes

Facilitation Guidelines:
1. Introduction (2 minutes):
– Explain the activity rules: Each team member will share three statements about themselves: two truths and one lie.
– The rest of the team will guess which statement is the lie.
– Encourage participants to make their statements as fun or surprising as possible.

2. Activity (10 minutes):
– Go around the circle or team, allowing each person to share their three statements.
– After each person shares, give the team a moment to guess the lie.
– Keep track of time to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate.

3. Debrief (3 minutes):
– Discuss the experience of learning new things about colleagues.
– Ask questions such as: “What was the most surprising fact you learned?” or “How did it feel to guess someone’s lie?”
– Highlight how sharing personal experiences can help build trust and strengthen team connections.

3. Activity: Escape Room Challenge (Virtual or Physical)

Objective:
To foster problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication under pressure. This activity simulates a high-stakes environment where teams must work together to escape from a locked room by solving a series of puzzles.

Materials:
– Pre-arranged puzzles, clues, and locks for the escape room (physical or virtual)
– Timer (digital or traditional)
– Optional: Props and themed items to enhance the experience (e.g., locked boxes, maps, etc.)

Time Required:
– Total Time: 45 minutes
– Introduction and Instructions: 5 minutes
– Activity: 35 minutes
– Debrief: 5 minutes

Facilitation Guidelines:
1. Introduction (5 minutes):
– Explain the objective: The team is “locked” in a room and must solve a series of puzzles and clues to escape before time runs out.
– Divide the team into smaller groups (if needed) and assign roles (e.g., clue master, puzzle solver, communicator).
– Ensure everyone knows how to work the timer and has access to the necessary materials.

2. Activity (35 minutes):
– Start the timer and allow teams to begin solving puzzles. They must communicate, share clues, and collaborate to move through the challenges.
– If facilitating in a physical space, make sure to keep track of time and provide hints if necessary to keep the activity on track.
– If virtual, ensure the puzzles are properly set up and accessible online.

3. Debrief (5 minutes):
– Discuss how teams communicated, managed time, and approached problem-solving.
– Ask questions like: “What was the key to your team’s success?” and “What challenges did you face while working together?”
– Reinforce the value of clear communication, trust, and role delegation in achieving team goals.

4. Activity: Human Knot

Objective:
This physical activity aims to improve problem-solving skills, teamwork, and communication. The human knot encourages team members to work closely together and think critically about how to untangle themselves.

Materials:
– None (no materials needed)

Time Required:
– Total Time: 20 minutes
– Instructions: 3 minutes
– Activity: 15 minutes
– Debrief: 2 minutes

Facilitation Guidelines:
1. Introduction (3 minutes):
– Explain the activity: Participants will stand in a circle and reach across to grab hands with two different people (not standing next to them). The goal is to untangle the knot without letting go of each other’s hands.
– Remind participants to be patient and communicate effectively.

2. Activity (15 minutes):
– Start the activity by having the team form a human knot.
– Encourage team members to work together by communicating, positioning themselves, and trying different strategies.
– Ensure everyone is being safe and comfortable, especially during physical movement.

3. Debrief (2 minutes):
– Reflect on the process of untangling. What communication strategies were effective? Did some team members naturally take on leadership roles?
– Emphasize the importance of cooperation and flexibility.

5. Activity: Silent Meeting

Objective:
This activity aims to improve communication, decision-making, and collaboration in a low-pressure environment. It encourages individuals to listen carefully and contribute thoughtfully to team discussions.

Materials:
– Whiteboard or flip chart (or digital equivalent)
– Markers or pens
– Paper or sticky notes for writing responses

Time Required:
– Total Time: 20 minutes
– Instructions: 3 minutes
– Activity: 15 minutes
– Debrief: 2 minutes

Facilitation Guidelines:
1. Introduction (3 minutes):
– Explain the rules: The meeting will be conducted silently. All team members must write down their thoughts and ideas on the whiteboard or sticky notes.
– The goal is to communicate and collaborate through writing only.

2. Activity (15 minutes):
– Present a topic or question for discussion.
– Give participants a set amount of time (e.g., 15 minutes) to write down their ideas or thoughts.
– Team members can read each other’s notes and respond in writing.
– Ensure that everyone contributes to the conversation without speaking.

3. Debrief (2 minutes):
– Reflect on how the silent meeting went. What insights did the team gain from the written communication? Did any ideas emerge that wouldn’t have been voiced aloud?
– Highlight how different communication methods can impact decision-making and creativity.

Conclusion

Each activity is designed to provide a fun and impactful experience while helping team members build trust, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. Facilitators should adjust the activities based on team size, goals, and available resources to ensure a successful team-building session.