What would it take?
Hi.
There is some planning to be done, to get your group started. The major hurdle is finding a free place to meet (use a home as a last resort). If you wish to advertise, allow 2-4 weeks between that and your first group meeting. The major time commitment, initially, is in gathering together what you want to do/say/hand out for the first meeting. After that, it takes less time to do all of that, especially if you follow pretty much the same agenda format. Work on monthly topics and gathering information and handouts. It's not hard, though.
Be sure to post about your first meeting on this forum, and get a notice in the paper. Talk it up. Call others you know might be interested in coming. Let local doctors know, as they may have bariatric patients in need of ongoing support. This is where a nice business card, showing that you're OH-certified (which I recommend) will come in handy. It's nice to offer to give them a few, too. :)
There is no official paperwork, to begin a support group. I highly recommend that you get OH-certified. To begin that process (it's free and not too time-consuming), email Debbie Doty at [email protected] to ask about the process. There are many perks to being an OH-certified support group leader. It allows you to advertise your group on OH, you have access to the support of other leaders on the Leader Board forum, you have access to monthly topic handouts and agendas (very helpful in planning your meetings), and you can get 10 free copies of OH magazine to give out at group (you receive a free subscription, too).
Let me know if you have any more questions, as they will come up. I'm happy to help.
Blessings,
Mary
There is some planning to be done, to get your group started. The major hurdle is finding a free place to meet (use a home as a last resort). If you wish to advertise, allow 2-4 weeks between that and your first group meeting. The major time commitment, initially, is in gathering together what you want to do/say/hand out for the first meeting. After that, it takes less time to do all of that, especially if you follow pretty much the same agenda format. Work on monthly topics and gathering information and handouts. It's not hard, though.
Be sure to post about your first meeting on this forum, and get a notice in the paper. Talk it up. Call others you know might be interested in coming. Let local doctors know, as they may have bariatric patients in need of ongoing support. This is where a nice business card, showing that you're OH-certified (which I recommend) will come in handy. It's nice to offer to give them a few, too. :)
There is no official paperwork, to begin a support group. I highly recommend that you get OH-certified. To begin that process (it's free and not too time-consuming), email Debbie Doty at [email protected] to ask about the process. There are many perks to being an OH-certified support group leader. It allows you to advertise your group on OH, you have access to the support of other leaders on the Leader Board forum, you have access to monthly topic handouts and agendas (very helpful in planning your meetings), and you can get 10 free copies of OH magazine to give out at group (you receive a free subscription, too).
Let me know if you have any more questions, as they will come up. I'm happy to help.
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
I'm hoping some of our Enid patients will chime in. There are many from Enid, Garber, Waukomis and surrounding areas there. From what I understand they had an active group until a couple of months ago. You could call and talk to Dr. Keller or e-mail him. He mentioned a few weeks ago that it had disbanded for a while since there was not a lot of interest. Attendance had been down a lot but if there were interest I'm sure that particular leader might help you guys again! He would be the one to contact and get the information though. Good luck!
This is the ride of my life.....what an amazing tool I now have!!!
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