Moving Beyond Icebreakers

Moving Beyond Icebreakers is a splendid presentation of techniques that enhance group cohesiveness and productivity. Any agency or institution practicing the interactive group exercises outlined in this book will be enriched. I highly recommend it.
- Alvin F. Poussaint, MD
Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
and Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston MA

 

Moving Beyond Icebreakers artfully and enjoyably integrates theory with practice. If only I'd had access to it during the many classes I've taught and meetings I've facilitated over the past 30 years! In the future, I won't have that excuse: it is a resource I plan to use.
- Steven Brion-Meisels
Deputy Director and Director of Research, Evaluation, and Learning
Peace Games
Board member, The Center for Peaceable Schools

 

Moving Beyond Icebreakers provided me with many ideas and activities as well as a rationale for leading groups and committees. I've applied techniques in my trainings session and gotten positive feedback. I consistently recommend this book!
- Kris Miner
Executive Director
St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice

 

Moving Beyond Icebreakers offers us a way out of the all-too-familiar and much-too-painful experience of unproductive and unsatisfying meetings. This book -- packed as it is with practical and useful activities, exercises, and advice -- points the way toward meetings that bring groups together, accomplish goals, and prove that hard work and fun can and should go together.
- Steve Seidel
Director, Harvard Project Zero & The Arts In Education Program
Harvard Graduate School of Education

 

Moving Beyond Icebreakers goes far beyond activities and games. Part I explores the fears, hopes, and anxieties that leaders may have about using "activities" in meetings and groups. It is the clearest, most coherent explanation of why, how, and when to use activities that I have ever read. Part II is a creative conglomeration of interactive possibilities to help group members bond in effective ways. For practitioners in teaching, social work, administrative, and community settings, this book will be a terrific addition to your personal and professional library.
- Susan Rice, DSW
Department of Social Work
California State University at Long Beach

 

These interactive techniques are a natural fit for the classroom. They are engaging and fun. They promote caring and lead to less isolation. A variety of behavioral issues are addressed while students build confidence and build their skills.
- Rusty Young
High School Teacher, Boston Public Schools

 

This book is both practical and hopeful. Everyone should read Moving Beyond Icebreakers to save us from endless meetings and dysfunctional group process!
- Gil G. Noam, Ed.D., Ph.D. (Habil)
Harvard University

 

Mr. Pollack has written a comprehensive manual for designing, conducting and evaluating interactive meetings, classes, and group exercises. This book is packed with ideas, examples, advice, and how-to-do-it guidelines for group facilitators. Moving Beyond Icebreakers is an invaluable resource for more participatory, spirited and productive meetings.
- Lee Staples
Clinical Professor of Social Work
Boston University

 

When I started working for an after-school youth program, I found myself in need of ideas for creating a positive and productive atmosphere in my class. I had a masters in teaching, but needed more ideas on effectively activating, engaging and facilitating groups. Your book was so useful! Beyond the wealth of activities and ideas offered, the book contains a great philosophy on how to engage people in meetings and help them work though their ideas and dynamics. I teach and run workshops for groups of people from all different backgrounds, ages, and experiences. This book is always near at hand, dog-eared and tattered and immensely appreciated!
-Valeska Maria Populoh
Kids on the Hill, Baltimore, MD

 

Moving Beyond Icebreakers presents the powerful work of Teen Empowerment and its potential to develop and nurture youth leadership. The Interactive Meeting Format as described in Moving Beyond Icebreakers is the foundation to building communities.
- Robert S. Peterkin, Director
Urban Superintendents Program
Harvard Graduate School of Education

 

Moving Beyond Icebreakers offers an approach to gathering information in ways that provide a variety of vantage points as a group engages in interactions that are centered on a common purpose. The approach grows out of Stanley Pollack's longstanding experience in developing city youth into masterful facilitators. The lessons from his experience with young people are definitely worth learning.
- Janice Jackson
Boston College Lynch School of Education
Former Deputy Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools