Arkansas gathering survey

Good morning everyone, hope you're going to have a terrific weekend. Me, gotta work today, but that's ok....I love what I do. It's so wonderful to see our little forum getting the action we've been hoping for! Since there are so few doctors/hospitals here in AR that do bariatric surgery, it gives us a chance to really realate to one another about our experiences. There are about 20 of us now, from those waiting for a date (can be so frustrating) to two ladies that are 2-5 years out and doing well, and that's an inspiration to all of us in between! I've gotten lots of personal e-mails from you and have made up a good list so we can let everyone know what's going on with our gatherings. We still want to get together next Sunday, Jan 28th. Some people can't come because of church commitments if it's early like last time, so lets do a bit of a survey to see what will suit the most of us best. I'll tally the results, and then send the results via e-mail tonight after I get home form work. IF you don't get an e-mail from me, it means I don't have one of yours to send it to....so get hopping and send it in. I can send bulk responses this way, much easier than going through all the steps on OH. Ok...here we go 1. Russellville Western Sizzlin' Yes? No? 2 Best time: 11:00a.m 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3. Gift bag( we're talking LITTLE gifts, nothing over, say, $7-8) Yes? No? 4. Discussion topic? Yes? (if yes, please give a suggestion) No ? (just rather chat) 5. How often should we get together? once a month? every 6 weeks? every 2 months? 6 Which of the weekend days are better for you? 7 Are you willing to rotate the locations throughout the state so more people can attend? 8 Do you have any suggestions that could make our gatherings more helpful for you, or do you see this as more of a social thing? 9. How about a clothing exchange? Have a great day everyone. Susan

1. I think changing the location would we nice. Maybe LR or NLR, that gives Pine Bluff and W. Memphis area a chance to attend without driving for hours 2. Sat or Sun. 11 or 1 3. Yes 4. No, would rather chat 5. once a month is nice 6. weekends don't matter 7. rotate locations, see#1 8. I'm not interested in it being a meeting or support group, Baptist offers that and I have no desire at this time for that. Me personally, I like to as a social thing. 9. If you have clothes and you know someone needs them, bring them Just my thoughts. Cathi

Well, first, let me say, thanks to Susan for working so hard on doing this, and coordinating all of this for us. Good job Susan!!! Here are my thoughts on all of this!! 1. Russelville is really too far for me on a Sunday. Because thats 4 hours at best from me, so I vote rotate them. 2. If its close enough, 1 is good 3. I think gift bags are a grand idea, we all like to be pampered by someone besides family. 4. Nah, no main topic, we'll find enough to chat about Im sure. 5. Once a month is good for me, but Im a social girl, and even though I cant make every meeting, once a month is good. 6. Saturday is better for me, but again, Sunday would be ok if it were close enough. 7. Sure, lets rotate and make it easier for everyone to be there. 8. Social works for me. 9. Clothing exchange is a wonderful idea. I dont have much to give right now, but as I lose, Ill be glad to pass it on. Those are just my thoughts, and I appreciate the opputunity to meet other folks.

Hello there. Those get togethers sound like a lot of fun, but unfortunely I have to work on the weekends and won't be able to attend them . Hope you all have a great time. Take care. Lyndia

Susan, you are really doing a great job with organizing these functions. I don't mind where we eat as long as I can order food and it is not a buffet. Either time will work and the gift bag is a great idea. I think to chat is a good idea and if we have questions that someone can answer, well we can ask. I am not too eager to have our social time turned into a regimented support group. I like once a month or six weeks and I can do either weekend day. I understand the need to rotate, but for me, Little Rock is too far. I would be driving at least five hours one way. But, by all means, to be fair to the other members, rotate the cities and those of us who can come will and if not, we will make it to the nearest one. Before each get together, those who have clothes can announce it on the board and if anyone wants the clothes, they can make arrangements. Well, coffee and oatmeal are calling. Talk to you guys later jeannie

Hey there Susan. Thanks for organizing this get together! 1. Russellville Western Sizzlin' This is fine with me. I'm okay with any restaurant. If there's nothing on the menu I can tolerate, I just drink and socialize. No problem! I keep a protein bar with me most of the time just for that reason. 2 Best time: 11:00 AM is okay unless I'm going to church. We have recently left our church and are looking for another place. So if that happens, I couldn't make it until 2:00. But if everyone else can, don't worry about me. 3. Gift bag( we're talking LITTLE gifts, nothing over, say, $7-8) I like this idea, but don't want to scare off someone who might not have the extra money. 4. Discussion topic? I think after thinking about this, I would like it to be more of a social get together. I go to a support group monthly, so this would be a nice social event. 5. How often should we get together? I like every six weeks would be great. It will be hard to take one day a month away from my family. I travel so much that weekends I try to spend with them 6 Which of the weekend days are better for you? Honestly depends on my weekend. I like Saturday if I'm going to church on Sunday. 7 Are you willing to rotate the locations throughout the state so more people can attend? Yes, I can get to Little Rock in about 3 1/2 hours. I think some of the locations might be too far to travel. MAYBE we could divide the state in quarters and each quarter could meet once a month or six weeks. Then, once a quarter we all get together (alternating those 4 locations.) We could car pool an even make an day out of it. Does this make any sense? 8 Do you have any suggestions that could make our gatherings more helpful for you, or do you see this as more of a social thing? I've decided I like the social ideal better. If anyone has a problem or something to talk about, we just will. No structure (and I know this is a change from what I thought before.) 9. How about a clothing exchange? (I usually take my clothes to the local support group, but I'll bring any left to our get together.) PS -I'm not sure I can make the other one in January. It's just too close and it's also the day we have open house for our house. We have our house in Springdale on the market. If you know anyone looking in our area please send them my way! Just keep me posted on what the decision is and I'll try to make it! Margie

1. Russellville Western Sizzlin' Yes? No? That's fine but I also would like to try to rotate it to different cities 2 Best time: 11:00a.m 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. If it's on a Sunday - I can't attend until after February but 1pm would be better for me 3. Gift bag( we're talking LITTLE gifts, nothing over, say, $7-8) Yes? No?Sounds like a good idea 4. Discussion topic? Yes? (if yes, please give a suggestion) I would just rather chat No ? (just rather chat) 5. How often should we get together? once a month? every 6 weeks? I like every 6weeks better every 2 months? 6 Which of the weekend days are better for you? really either is fine except on Sundays I can't attend until after February 7 Are you willing to rotate the locations throughout the state so more people can attend? This would be a good idea so we all don't have to travel the same distance everytime and we get to go to different locations and more people would be able to attend 8 Do you have any suggestions that could make our gatherings more helpful for you, or do you see this as more of a social thing? more of a social thing 9. How about a clothing exchange? if I have any and they are needed I can bring them

I am good with whatever you all come up with. I can travel, anytime is fine and I like the chat thing, gift exchange and I have alot of size 22, 2X clothes if anyone wants them. I cant come this Sunday because I am going to Memphis to spend the weekend with a friend of mine and see her first grandbaby. If the plans change I will come to this get together. Terri