It all boils down to style of leadership.  If the group leader, or in my groups case, the coordinator is an authoritarian and rule with an iron fist, it will probably chafe on others.  If the coordinator includes the other members in decision making, more a democratic process, it seems to work better.  But there must be a leader to have the final say, or total chaos ensues, and soon nobody wants to agree with anything. 

Just my opinion.

Alan, I agree with much of what you said. There should be some responsible party to get the group through things when it gets tough. I just don't like seeing the power go to their heads and letting it semi-destroy the group in itself. Everyone is different, and there are different opinions, but at least try to have a majority vote.

And yes, Davtrav and Wildflower, it is all about seeing what works and doesn't for the person themselves. If they have a conflict with a group, then find someone else to work with.

And um...Lemberger....I voted for you a long time ago, but there was a hanging chad. LOL ;)

I agree that all should have a say.  However if there is no leadership how is anything decided upon?  What if everyone in the group has a different idea of what should be?  Does anything get accomplished in that environment?  Lack of direction leads to chaos.

JFK once said..."All too often we enjoy the comfort of an opinion without the discomfort of thought."

I'm not saying that group leaders should be cruel or behavior like a tyrant.  However I do believe that there needs to be a part of the group that insures the groups agenda is followed along with group protocols and so forth.

Maybe the trick is to find a group that matches your goals and ambitions.  For instance if a person likes to talk, giggle, scream and goof off at an investigation, then maybe they should seek groups that aren't very serious about what they do.  If someone believes everywhere they go is haunted, then likely a group of scientific thinkers isn't the group that person should hunt with.

I find that many investigators methods differ much from my own.  I find there are many investigators who see a ball roll across the floor and immediately call a place haunted without so much as checking to see if the floor is level.  They will see a door open and never so much as check and see if there is an issue with the door.  Is it out of plumb?  Is there a problem with the latch?  I don't fit in well with those kinds of groups so I don't hunt with those groups.

It's all about finding people you agree with.  People should not go into a group expecting the group to change just to suit them.  Get to know a group before making the decision to join them.

 Karen  you go girl.    People learn and change some for the better and others well  you know how it go's.   It is most certainly possible to have a group that gets along quite well in all aspects.   I do believe rules from the very get should be drawn up as guidelines  for all and by all included.   However know that you can not change a person.  So it is best to choose those whom are not self centered  because in all due reality  that is the root of control issues and all else that is negative.   know the traits   jealousy, an attention seeker, insecurity, gossiper, etc.  Those are the ones you do not want in a group if you are trying to establish one which is unfied.

I am a group of one, and man do we have in fighting.

Steve