October 2005 Business

1) Reaching out to new members.  

2) New Member Welcome Packet: 
The welcome packet will include information about the group, FAQ’s, Writing Project, guidelines, a reminder to “look at the give-away table,” etc.  We hope to have a sample packet for discussion at the November meeting.  We need two versions: one to hand to people who show up at the meeting, and one to be emailed or snail-mailed to people who make inquiries.  

3) Phone Outreach Guidelines/Boundaries (if a new person wants to talk to a group member before coming):
The group member will call the new person (we will not give out the group member’s phone number).  We will develop a sheet of talking points for the group member.  These will include: a) Finding out whether the person is looking for a support group for DID/MPD.  b) Clearly presenting what’s here and letting the person decide for him/herself whether New Landscape is right for him/her (do not actively recruit).  To be further discussed at the November meeting.  

4) Flyer:
We will develop a flyer to be posted on bulletin boards at clinics, etc.  It will include contact info, but no meeting location.  

5) Sidran:
We filled out an online form with Sidran to list New Landscape in their support group list.  (It is already listed with “Many Voices.”)  

6) Education function of the group:
As the ISSD (International Society for the Study of Dissociation) now has a New York component (it began meeting this summer), New Landscape does not have to concern itself with “educating” and can just be a support group.  

7) Definition of “Almost-Better”:
To be re-visited at the November meeting.