Calling all SUPPORT GROUP LEADERS!

Many of you know I started a support group here in Prudenville back in March, 2004. (Wow, does time fly!) I started the group primarily because I NEEDED support and there were no WLS support groups in my area, so I figured the way to have one was to start one! Lo and behold, WLS patients came out of the woodwork to attend, much to my surpise! I thought I was pretty much alone up her in northern michigan! Many of us leaders have started this way, I believe, with little or no training. It's been going great and we have many wonderful members! The thing is, because I didn't have any formal training, I don't know if I'm offering enough to be the most effective leader I can (and should) be. I know "support" is the key to a group like this and as long as we are all there meeting, supporting each other and sharing, that's the most important thing. But I know I could learn a lot from other leaders with different ideas, learning tools, and just things you have learned thru experience during your journey as a leader. I know there is something we could learn from each one of us. So...I have an idea...... Let's hold periodic Support Group Leader Meetings!! We could have one maybe every quarter...every three months, on a certain day, and meet at different locations in the state, so that everyone could at least make one or two a year. We could share our ideas, motivational info, recipes, etc. My meetings are unstructured discussions, which is great, but I think I could learn alot from other leaders and their ideas and make my meetings more educational and motivating, and vice-versa. So what do you think? I need feedback!!! Thanks in advance!!! Hugs, Theresa

Theresa, I think that would be great. We need to be able to have imput too. I started mine 2 months ago, next week in #2. I would attend, if they were close for me!

I agree with you Theresa. I started one here in Big Rapids 2 months ago. We're very unstructured and it'd be great to talk to others about what they do. Last meeting, I had the recreaton coordinator for the city come and demonstrate Tai Chi. She'll be back at future meeting to show the senior exercises she teaches.

This is a great idea Theresa. Let us know when you set up the first meeting and where it will be. Thank you. God bless you, Annette

Hello Lovely Theresa! I think this is a wonderful idea, also We have 2 groups, our Chelsea/Ann Arbor group and our Downriver Support group, both are very unstructured but we love to get together, talk, share, etc. I'm not sure I'd call myself the leader, more the secretary But it would be great to be able to offer some ideas for everyone to consider...I never thought about receipe exchanges or anything like that...we don't even have topics from meeting to meeting, we just talk about whatever is pressing in each other's journey. Please keep me updated, and if I can help you out, please let me know... Lizzie B

Hey Girly, What a great Idea. It sounds like it would be a nice thing for us to do. Getting a different prosective from others is alway nice. Let me know what you figure out.----Toni

I KNEW you guys would be up for this! I'll be contacting you shortly! Love ya, Theresa