Dedicating time for relationship-building helps PFAC members have productive and meaningful interactions. Look for ongoing opportunities for relationship-building, particularly as new members join the PFAC. Think about opportunities within and outside of meetings for PFAC members to learn about each other and establish shared bonds and trust. Ideas include the following:

• Hold a pre-meeting meal or open space time for PFAC members to connect. Make sure everyone has the ability to attend so that members are not inadvertently excluded.
• Reserve the first 5-10 minutes of the PFAC meeting for personal updates and sharing.
• Begin each meeting with a brief icebreaker that helps people learn more about each other. Icebreaker questions should be inclusive, inviting, and also purposeful. Ideas for icebreaker questions include the following:
  • Share a time when you felt included and valued.
  • What is your favorite word (in any language) and why?
  • What’s a skill or talent you have that others might not know about?
  • What is one thing you would like to learn how to do or a topic you would like to learn more about?
• Dedicate one PFAC meeting per year to sharing personal experiences and stories. Ask members to take photos representing aspects of their identity or lives and share them with the group. Encourage members to ask each other questions about their photos.
• Provide opportunities for PFAC members to interact virtually or in person outside of meetings. Consider using social media (e.g., Facebook private groups) or communication apps (e.g., WhatsApp) that allow members to communicate directly. Make sure all PFAC members have access to any virtual communication options.
• Reach out to PFAs between meetings. Send texts or emails to check in on them, and send birthday or holiday greetings as appropriate.
• Assign new PFAs a “buddy” or mentor who can provide support and check on them between meetings.