Your Role as Organizer
Being an organizer is rewarding and straightforward, but it does come with a few key responsibilities. Think of yourself as a friendly facilitator and host. Here’s what your role entails:
Creating a Welcoming Space: As an organizer, you set the tone. Greet newcomers with a smile (online, a warm hello in the chat or on video). Make introductions easy and casual. Your warmth and openness will encourage even shy writers to feel comfortable joining in. Remember, SUAW prides itself on being inclusive and non-judgmental – we welcome writers of all backgrounds, genres, and experience levels. By modeling friendliness and respect, you help everyone relax and focus on writing.
Maintaining the Session Structure: You’ll guide the group through the Shut Up & Write! session format every time. That means kicking off introductions, announcing when it’s time to “shut up and write,” setting a timer for the quiet writing period, and gently leading the closing check-in. You don’t have to be a drill sergeant, but you do need to keep things on track. Start and end on time, minimize disruptions during the hour, and make sure the session flows according to the familiar rhythm. This consistency helps everyone know what to expect.
Encouragement and Support: Organizers are cheerleaders in subtle ways. You’ll celebrate the small wins (a page written, a breakthrough idea) and reassure writers who didn’t hit their goal that showing up is still a victory. During check-ins, set an upbeat, supportive tone. If someone shares frustration (“I only wrote 100 words…”), you might say, “That’s 100 words more than you had before – great job showing up!” By focusing on effort over output, you’ll keep the atmosphere positive and motivating.
Upholding Community Values: Every SUAW organizer is also a guardian of our community standards. Fortunately, our writers are wonderful, and serious issues are rare. But it’s part of your role to ensure everyone feels safe and respected. This can be as simple as intervening if side conversations start to disrupt the quiet, or reminding a participant of the Code of Conduct if needed (for instance, if someone’s behavior is inappropriate). In the unlikely event that someone is aggressive or makes others uncomfortable, you have the authority to address it (more on handling such situations in Troubleshooting at Events). In general, lead with kindness and clarity, and don’t hesitate to enforce the few rules we have. Maintaining a welcoming, respectful space is key to a successful group.
Overall, being an organizer means leading by example. When you show up consistently, stay positive, and handle hiccups with grace, your group will follow. And remember: you’re not alone! The SUAW Community Team is here to support you if you ever have questions or need advice (you can always reach out to us for help). Now, let’s move on to the practical side: creating and publicizing your events.