• General Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

The first peer group was launched in February 2007 for senior family-member executives. It is expected that at least two more groups will be started in 2007. If you are interested in participating in a group, contact Kermit Kuehn at the Family Enterprise Center at 788-7932, or by email, FEC@uafortsmith.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the peer group program?

The peer group program seeks to organize and facilitate groups whose members have similar issues and challenges based on their role or status in the family business. Membership applications are carefully screened and selection is based on these role/status criteria, suitability of applicant for the group, space availability and must be approved by the director of the FEC in consultation with the group in question. Typical groupings might include senior executives in the family business, functional groupings (i.e. human resources), women in the family business, and non-family employees.

Why should I join a group like this?

Peer groups offer a safe place for you to discuss matters affecting your business that you may be uncomfortable sharing with those within the family or business. As a member, you would have access to people in similar situations who would be able to offer objective counsel to address these issues and provide the encouragement to act on chosen courses of action. The network of relationships developed in the group is expected to extend beyond the group meetings.

What about confidentiality?

It is essential that each person selected to a group is trustworthy in this regard. Each applicant is carefully screened and must agree to follow the rules of confidentiality which are required for membership to a group.

How does a group meeting work?

Guided by a facilitator, participants are encouraged to openly discuss with group members the issues facing them in their personal lives, families and businesses. Group members may offer counsel with regard to the issue, hold each other accountable for commitments made and be of general encouragement to one another. The success of any peer group is in part built on the quality of relationships that develop in the group among its members and the willingness of participants to be transparent and vulnerable when it comes to discussing the matters affecting their lives as family business members.

The facilitator will seek to develop with the group healthy processes that would guide interactions and promote personal growth and competence among participants. It is hoped that this experience would make each participant more effective as members and leaders in their respective organizations.

Will I have to sign an agreement as part of joining a group?

No. However, each peer group operates from a set of basic principles and understandings that each participant must be aware of and agree to before joining a group. The facilitator will seek to operate according to these when guiding a group toward its goals.

Why use a facilitator?

Facilitators are used as neutral parties who seek to insure meetings progress in a way that accomplishes goals agreed to by the group. Healthy group processes are not easy to develop and maintain. Since the value of a peer group will emerge as a group creates an open, supportive and trusting environment, it is important that this is not left to chance.

How often would a group meet?

Typically, groups would meet once a month at a time and place determined by the group.

How long are the meetings?

Groups will decide how long meetings will be, but typically would be no less than 1 1/2 hours.

How large will the groups be?

The ideal size will be between 8 and 12 members.

Can I invite someone to come to a group meeting as a guest?

You can recommend someone for admittance to the group but all participants must be approved for membership (and attendance) in advance. Exceptions would have to be approved in advance.

Do I have to be a Family Enterprise Center member to participate?

Yes. Peer groups are a benefit of Center membership. Some groups may charge a modest additional fee to members to cover specific costs associated with the group.

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For more information about FEC Peer Groups or membership information, contact Kermit at FEC@uafortsmith.edu, or (479) 788-7932. Alternatively, you may call Cara at (479) 788-7740 to leave a message.