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JS
1661 Posts |
 Posted - 11/25/2009 : 16:15:12
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Background story: http://www.lowselfhelpsystems.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3792&whichpage=3
A new forum member, Claudette from New Brunswick Canada, asked what migt be done to revive interest in a small meeting.
This is a situation where advice giving is okay, because it is sought
I am sure we can give her a few suggestions? Or can you tell us which Recovery tools (spots) you think might help. What about you experience in this area.
Could our new programs help?
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luckygirl
76 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2009 : 16:29:56
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Hi Claudette:
I read your post with interest. How endorsable for your group mindedness.
I have no experience in face-to-face meetings, so my response is perhaps low-average. Anyway, I'll give my first idea. Perhaps when people call you , you may mention the telephone meetings as a way they can be introduced to the program gently and begin to understand that the "stigma is the last to go." They have helped me very much.
Again, I have no experience in whether this may work, but if even one person is helped by this idea, it would be worth mentioning I believe.
Best of luck to you |
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ike
190 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2009 : 17:13:08
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Welcome Claudette,
Two new programs may work here. One is a bigger endeavor; JumpStart is a program where community interest is found or better put it is lined up, Employee Assistance Directors, local mental health workers and people interested in Recovery. It is a two day investment in time and effort, with Recover trainers sent out from Chicago to do the training. And it is a Fee for Service program. This was designed for situations like yours, a community needs a "JumpStart" to start a meeting in town, promote near by neighborhoods to start a meeting and....to come out of the two days work with a group of people who know the Recover basics, are trained how to give or lead and example and of course how to spot. One aim is to get your weekly attendance up so you can move forward.
The second new progam is Discover Recovery and I know very little about that.
The HQ can send you information. 1-866-221-0302 it is a free call.
Good luck.
Ike |
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Molly
162 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2009 : 08:26:51
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Hi Claudette, Two ideas for you.
Cool Colorful Sign with phone number tears offs.
"You are not alone Recovery can help"
http://www.lowselfhelpsystems.org/documents/ri_meeting_flyer_d3_color.doc
Then there is a really nice sign for the door...let me see it i...
http://www.lowselfhelpsystems.org/documents/ri_meeting_flyer_d3_color.doc
It did not work.
Molly
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Bob Dey
995 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2009 : 10:14:12
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| Many Group Leaders face the same problem or challenge at this time of the year especially. RI recognizes the situation and that is where the Regional Leader and the Area Leader/Team can be so valuable. The p.r. and outreach programs are also available on line for the Group Leader. Your Regional or Area leader will give you the password and/or connect you with the right p.r. method or person to help. Always endorse for your efforts. |
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JPS
58 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2009 : 13:10:15
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Sometimes I wonder (ok ... now spotting fearful temper) if the group leader is doing something wrong when the group doesn't grow. I have seen too many people return once, then never again. The odd thing is that they often purchase a book. I can even think of two cases recently where I sold a book to a first-timer, they seemed very enthusiastic when they left, but never came back for a second meeting. Maybe I'm reading too much into the book purchase: maybe they have more money than I do, or they simply place less value on money (I drive a 13-year-old car and brown-bag it to save money - that might answer the question). Hopefully they're attending a different meeting or telephone meetings.
I never get fearful temper when someone comes for several months then disappears. At worst, they gave Recovery a reasonable try. I've tried things for a reasonable amount of time before deciding "this isn't for me"; I'm sure we all have. And I know of one ex-member who wasn't working when she started meetings, but now has a job and works during the time of meetings in my area. Perhaps she's attending telephone meetings, or a face-to-face meeting farther away. I know Recovery helped her.
I never get fearful temper when a first-timer shows no interest in the group or the method. I always try to get them involved, but if I can't, "outer environment".
And then there's what I call the "problem child". I've had only one since becoming a group leader; that person attended meetings for about a month, never bought a book, never had their spotting sheet (so I'd give them a new one every week), and always said things like "how can you be sure 'symptoms are distressing but not dangerous'?", i.e. always questioning Recovery. I tried my good-average best, but couldn't get through to him, so I have nothing to be ashamed of.
I make a mental note to bring up at every meeting the three things it takes for Recovery to succeed (meeting attendance, reading between meetings, and regular practice). Accordingly, I've told any new members up-front, and reminded everyone else. This alleviates my fearful temper. If others (outer environment) are unwilling to put forth the effort, I have no control over that. I'm making mental health my supreme goal. I can change my insecure thoughts to secure thoughts by thinking they may be attending another face-to-face meeting or a telephone meeting. Etc., etc. Endorse for the effort, not the result. |
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Forum_Admin
195 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2009 : 22:02:03
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quote:
Originally posted by JPS
Sometimes I wonder (ok ... now spotting fearful temper) if the group leader is doing something wrong when the group doesn't grow. I have seen too many people return once, then never again.
One way to make any meeting to run more smoothly is for the leaders and assistant leaders attend regulary their Area Team monthly Leaders' Training Meeting. A wonderful change made lately is the open leader meetings via phone several times a month. So even isolated meetings can keep up to speed etc.
And this could be a leadership type example for which those meeting are great for. Peer to Peer support.
And may I throw in an opinion, one of the most more dangerous words for a nervous person is "why?" I do not think that an exaggeration, it is an opinion.
JPS has done a good average job of demonstrating the method on the forums. And again no exaggeration.
There is so much to be thankful for right now. ALSHS and Recovery International are making great strides.
By the way did ya see the post about the Major Announcement? That is tomorrow afternoon.
Claudette good luck with that meeting and a good spot here is one that I heard this afternoon on a phone meeting. Recovery's philosophy of averageness asks us to condone rather than condemn and excuse rather than accuse. That comes from Parital Views and Total View Point.
JS, moderator and an average falable nervous person
Thanks for this great discussion. Almost as good as a meeting. |
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How to give a boost to small meetings
