10 Steps to Creating a Women's Group From Scratch
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Have you started a new journey or path in your life? Did you move, are recently single/separated, or found yourself a little lost in a life that has taken you in a different direction? Sometimes when these things happen, it’s hard to find the right community to support you, or to even find women to connect with who are excited to join you on your new found journey.
One of the main reasons for starting HerStory Collective was that I moved from Phoenix, Arizona, to Olympia, Washington on a whim. I knew absolutely no one. I determined that I could either mope around in my house, trying to figure out how to best survive as a hermit, or, I could go out and find as many different things I enjoyed as possible and start seeing who I connected with.
My friends now laugh and are never surprised that any time I go out to a new meetup group, or on another long social run, I walk away with another female friend’s phone number. This comes from being myself authentically, showing up with no expectations, and just actively learning about other people and in turn, telling them what excites me about life! Usually they are excited too, and want to be a part of it.
I wanted to find a way to connect all of these wonderful women into a larger community. A place that we could use to grow and learn together. One where we could be vulnerable with each other, learn how to be more authentic in our daily lives, have more meaningful conversations, create goals for ourselves, practice supporting each other, and grow our lives into ones we could never have dreamed of having!
Below is a comprehensive guide that will walk you through the process of starting a women’s group, find the members that will resonate with your mission statement, and how to plan your first meeting and topics you can explore in the future.
1. Define the Purpose and Vision
The biggest question to answer is: Why does the group exist?
Be specific about the group’s focus, whether it’s personal development, friendship, support during life transitions, or a shared hobby like fitness or creative pursuits.
Create a mission statement that captures the purpose and vision in a sentence or two. This will guide decisions and recruitment.
HerStory Collective Example:
Purpose:
Connection: Build meaningful relationships with like-minded women.
Support: Provide a network of encouragement and advice.
Growth: Learn new skills, explore personal development, and achieve goals.
Fun: Engage in enjoyable activities that promote well-being and creativity.
Vision:
To create a supportive and empowering community where women can share their stories, connect deeply, and inspire one another through shared experiences. We want to foster personal growth, mutual support, and collective empowerment by providing a space for women to explore their experiences, build connections, and contribute to a shared journey of self-discovery and achievement.
2. Choose a Name
The name should reflect the group’s purpose and resonate with potential members. The name we chose, “HerStory Collective”, works because our focus is on personal stories and journeys that build connection and growth.
Tips for brainstorming names:
Use keywords from your mission statement.
Think about how you want members to feel when they join (empowered, supported, connected).
Keep it simple but memorable.
Test the name out with potential members to see if it resonates.
3. Set Group Values and Guidelines
Values create a sense of belonging. These should align with the group’s purpose.
Examples include:
Confidentiality: Ensuring a safe space where members can share openly.
Inclusivity: Welcoming women from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Empathy and support: Encouraging mutual encouragement and active listening.
Establish guidelines for behavior:
How members should interact with each other (respect, active participation).
What’s expected in terms of attendance and involvement.
How to handle conflicts or issues in a constructive way.
Putting this in a group document or sharing it during the first meeting helps set expectations.
HerStory Collective Example:
Group Norms & Expectations
Confidentiality: What’s shared in the group stays in the group.
Understanding: We are not a therapy group, and only for support and sharing.
Respect: Value each member’s contributions and perspectives.
Participation: Be active and present in meetings to enrich the experience for all.
Inclusivity: We welcome diversity and encourage a spirit of inclusion and support.
4. Decide on a Format
Choose between in-person or virtual meetings, depending on your members’ location and availability. You might want to use online platforms like Zoom or create a hybrid format.
Meeting frequency: Depending on the group’s goals, decide whether to meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Be consistent, as it helps build commitment.
Meeting structure: Will there be a set agenda, open discussions, or planned activities? Will you have a facilitator, or will each member have a chance to lead?
Example formats:
A structured session: A 90-minute meeting with time for a personal check-in, an educational or discussion topic, and group sharing.
A casual meet-up: Less structured, more social, encouraging organic conversation.
Logistics: Pick a meeting time and place (or platform) that suits most members. Consider accessibility and convenience.
HerStory Collective Example:
We meet every 2 weeks, we have the calendar setup throughout the whole year.
Each meeting rotates between member’s houses
We start off with a quick personal check-in, review our intentions we set for the past two weeks and how successful we were, then dive into our topic for the week. We end each session with a note of gratitude, or set an intention for the next two weeks for things we’ve been struggling with or want to create as part of our routine.
5. Identify Your Target Members
Be specific about who the group is for, which makes recruitment easier. Think about:
Age group: Is it for women in their 20s, 30s, or 50+?
Life stages: Is it for new moms, career-driven women, or retirees?
Shared interests: A fitness group, a creative writing group, or a women’s leadership circle.
Create a profile of the ideal member. Understanding who will benefit most from the group will inform your outreach strategy.
Picking your members, or allowing new members is one of the hardest parts - be considerate of those in your group once you’ve started meeting and have a way to interview new potential members prior to inviting them into your ongoing group. Make sure that anyone new understands the values and mission of the group, and is committing to be a supportive and understanding member ongoing.
6. Recruit Members
Start with your network: Reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances who might be interested.
Leverage social media: Create a group or event on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Meetup. You could also use LinkedIn if it’s a professional group.
Post flyers or announcements in places where potential members might hang out (e.g., local cafes, libraries, yoga studios).
Word of mouth: Ask each person who joins to invite someone else, expanding your group organically.
Use online communities: Join Facebook groups or online forums that cater to women and share your group ideas.
HerStory Collective Example:
I created a google survey for my friends and sent it out with a number of questions around what they were hoping to get out of a group like this, and what they were wanting to learn to set up their life for success, along with a version of the group’s vision and mission statement to represent what it was I was looking for in a community. Once I had friends who were interested in sharing this community and the values of this group, we started to define the rest.
7. Organize the First Meeting
Choose an easygoing format for the first meeting to make everyone feel welcome.
Introduce the group’s purpose, and share the values and guidelines.
Use icebreakers to get everyone comfortable and talking. Simple introductions where each person shares a little about themselves and why they joined can be powerful.
Allow time for open discussions so members can voice their expectations for the group.
Provide refreshments or a comfortable setting if in person, and make sure virtual meetings are easy to access with clear instructions.
Leave room for feedback at the end to find out what went well and what members would like to see in future meetings.
HerStory Collective Example:
Typical Meeting Agenda
Welcome & Icebreaker: start with a warm welcome and a fun activity to break the ice
Group Check-In: A brief round where members share how they are doing.
Main Activity/Discussion: Engage in a planned activity, discussion, or workshop related to our group’s focus.
Feedback & Planning: Gather input for future meetings and discuss upcoming events.
Social Time: Informal chat time to deepen connections.
Final Ritual (Gratitude/Intentions)
8. Plan Activities or Discussion Topics
Plan ahead: Have a few topics or activities in mind for the first few meetings to keep things flowing.
You could start with something light like “What’s one goal you’re working on this year?” or deeper discussions on topics like self-care, balancing life, or relationships.
Activity examples:
A vision board workshop where members visualize their goals.
A book club where the group reads and discusses books on women’s empowerment.
A skill-sharing session where members teach each other something new.
Offer variety: Alternate between discussions, guest speakers, workshops, or even outings (e.g., group hikes, creative projects).
Align activities with the group’s core mission so they feel meaningful.
HerStory Collective Example:
Topics/Activities:
Core Values
Long-Term Goal Setting
Mission Statement (individual)
Books for Self Development
Self-love vs. Self-care
Gratitude/Affirmations
Consistency
Boundaries
Relationships/Sexuality
Communication
Giving Back to Community
Holiday Crafting/Markets
9. Encourage Member Participation
Invite contributions: Ask members for input on topics or activities they’d like to explore.
Delegate tasks: If your group grows, you could divide responsibilities (e.g., event planning, leading discussions, managing social media).
Foster ownership: Members will feel more invested if they’re actively participating in the group’s success. Encourage people to lead or co-lead sessions, share resources, or host meetings at their home.
Inclusive leadership: Rotate leadership so that all voices are heard, and no one feels like the group is “hierarchical.”
10. Evaluate and Adjust
Collect feedback regularly from members. Ask what they’re enjoying, what could be improved, and what they’d like to see more of.
Be flexible: If something isn’t working (such as the meeting frequency, format, or topics), be open to adjusting to meet the group’s needs.
Celebrate milestones: Recognize anniversaries, completed goals, or even personal achievements of members to foster a sense of accomplishment and belonging.
Sustain growth: As the group matures, think about how to keep it fresh and engaging. Bringing in guest speakers or planning retreats can add variety.
By taking a thoughtful approach to building your group, you’ll create a space where women feel supported and empowered, and it’ll become a community they look forward to being part of.
Have you created your own group with these steps? Share with us - we’d love to hear from you and connect to make these communities more impactful!
If I was your muse today, then my healing is your healing.
Follow my instagram for weekly self challenges and inspiration when you find yourself in need.
@myhealingyourhealing