Purpose: To introduce participants to one another in a training session.

 Time Required: 10 minutes.

 Size of Group: Unlimited, but participants should work in small groups of five or six.

 Materials Required: Several small paper bags.

 The Exercise in Action: Nina Policastro, training director for the Junior League in Dix Hills, NY, gives each participant a small paper bag. She then asks them to take from their wallet, briefcase, or purse three items that show something about their personality or lifestyle and put them in the bag. In small groups of five or six, people then share why they selected the items.

To make this opener more program-oriented, ask people to select three items that make statements about their jobs. If they’re in customer service, for instance, ask them to select something that relates to how they help customers.