1) Moderator for the open discussion/sharing portion of the meeting
The previous moderator, Jeanette, had volunteered for 4 months, the last of which was January 2007. “V” has volunteered for February. We need a volunteer for March (“V” might not be able to make the March meeting, so she isn’t committing to more than February). In the past, the moderator has always also been the time keeper. But in the future, if someone wants to moderate but not keep time, we could have two people. (Jeanette left her timer watch for future moderators.)

2) Moderator for the organizational issues portion of the meeting.
“R,” who moderated this month, volunteered to do it in February.

3) Before-the-meeting setup.
“R” volunteered to do it for February. The March meeting is still open. This involves coming at least 15 minutes, early, making sure we are the schedule (several times, the Y moved us to a different room), and setting up the room (chairs, table, signs for the door).

4) Bank Account (in the name of New Landscape).
We now have a bank account. “F” opened it (with the $600 anonymous donation) and can sign checks. We would like to have two people who can sign, just for backup, in the event that the first member is unavailable. We need a volunteer to be an alternate. What’s involved: Give your social security # to HSCB (this will not affect your taxes), file a signature card with HSCB, stand by until the need arises.

5) Website for New Landscape.
!!!!!New Landscape now has a website!!!!! It was designed and programmed by “C.” Here’s the web address: www.new-landscape.com
The website cost $115 for one year. “C” has donated this.

Some website topics we discussed:
• Format
• Content (this is still being tweaked)
• Password:
Some people wanted it for safety; others felt we would get more publicity without the password. We decided to leave it in place for the first month. Members will look at the site and see whether they would feel safe in eliminating logon requirements. To be revisited next month.

• Can the website replace the monthly mailings?
Some members wanted to keep the monthly mailings, because people might not look at the website or be comfortable on the Internet. Other members felt that if people were interested, they would do the footwork to get to the website. For this first month, we will send out a monthly mailing without attachments to let people know they can find the rest of the mailing (things that used to be in the attachments) on the website. To be revisited next month.

• Feedback:
We will give everyone on the mailing list the logon, so we can get feedback from those who come to meetings as well as those who don’t. Send your feedback to: contact@new-landscape.com. (This gets forwarded to the yahoo email address, which is newlandscape1@yahoo.com. You can send feedback to either address.)

• Names:
Formerly, first names were used in the write-ups of the organizational part of the meetings (after the person was consulted). These names have been removed from the website; people are now just identified as a “member.” We will leave it this way for the first month, to see whether the elimination of names makes it feel safe enough to eliminate the password requirement. To be revisited next month.

• People can contribute to the Writing Project (it’s called “Writing Forum” on the website) at any time. Send submissions to contact@new-landscape.com. Please indicate that it is OK to post, and tell us how (with what name, if any) you would like your submission to be signed. Your submission will be passed on to the website administrator, who will post it.

• Donations:
Due to lack of time, we didn’t discuss whether to add a donations window (now that we have a bank account). This, too, was tabled until next month.

1) BANK ACCOUNT:
“F” will be setting the bank account up shortly. (We already have an E.I.N. number.)

2) ANONYMOUS DONATION:
As soon as the bank account is set up, “V” will contact the anonymous donor. (She would like to make a gift of $600 to New Landscape to cover the room-rental fee for one year at $50 per month; once we have the bank account, we will be able to deposit a check made out to “New Landscape.”)

3) CONTINUITY OF NEW LANDSCAPE:
We continued our discussion (from previous months) of the functions that keep the group running:

Moderator for the Sharing portion of the meeting:
Jeanette was the moderator in October, November, and December. She will also be moderator in January. After that, we need someone else. It was suggested that whoever volunteers should have attended at least 3 out of the last 6 meetings, and feel he/she can stay “present” or “conscious” during the entire meeting.

Up to now, the moderator was also the time-keeper. Some people felt they would be comfortable with moderating the meeting if they didn’t also have to keep time. It was suggested that we could have two people: one to be the moderator, and one to be the time-keeper. (The moderator would be prepared to step in and keep time if the time-keeper didn’t show up.)

At the January meeting, we will ask for volunteers for February and beyond.

Moderator for the Group-Format portion of the meeting:
“R” was the moderator in December. She volunteered to be the moderator for January also. At the January meeting, we will ask for volunteers for February and beyond.

Before-the-meeting setup. What’s needed:
• Come at least 15 minutes early.
• Make sure we are on the schedule (twice in two years, the YMCA moved us to a different room).
• Set up the room (chairs, table, thermostat for heat/air conditioning, signs for the door.)
“R” and “V” did the setup in December. They will also do it in January. At the January meeting, we will ask for volunteers for February and beyond.

Setting up a Website (to eventually replace monthly mailings):
We would like to set up a website for New Landscape which would be secure; only those on the mailing list would have the password. Three people are involved in investigating this: “R” (through her brother), “C,” and “F.”

4) Publicizing New Landscape:
– “V” will send a copy of the New Landscape pamphlet to therapists on the ISSD website who are from the NYC metropolitan area.
– “V” will ask Lynn W of Many Voices to put a notice about New Landscape on the Many Voices website.
– It was suggested that we ask some of the people who are on the mailing list but don’t come to meetings whether they would consider supporting New Landscape with a donation (to be used toward the costs of the website, if any, and other expenses). We are not ready do this yet, as we do not have the bank account.

5) Transportation guidelines (for people who don’t want to travel to meetings alone):
“V” reported that she has received emails from a few prospective members who would like someone to travel to the meeting with, or who would like someone to meet them at one of the terminals (Grand Central, Penn Station, Path). At present, we do not have transportation guidelines set up, the way we have for phone outreach.

Two opinions on transportation guidelines were voiced. One was that the guidelines set boundaries and generated a feeling of safety. The other was that the guidelines were too restrictive by stating what couldn’t be discussed, i.e., details of trauma.

The discussion was tabled until January for lack of time.

1) ANONYMOUS DONATION:
“V” reported that an anonymous donor from out-of-state would like to make a gift of $600 to New Landscape to cover the room-rental fee for one year at $50 per month. [The donor, who is organizing a group for DID/MPD’s in her own locality, heard about New Landscape from Many Voices and emailed us for information on how our group got started. “V” sent her copies of the Writing Project; that’s how she learned of our room-rental arrangements.]

The group was delighted to hear of this offer. The only concern raised was whether the money would come with stipulations or conditions. “V” said she had already asked the donor about that, and there are no conditions attached.

“V” will let the donor know that the group thanks her and would be glad to accept the donation.

This donation will come in one of two ways (as specified by the donor). If we have a bank account, it will come in one check made out to “New Landscape.” If we do not have a bank account, she will send it in four quarterly installments of $150, made out to the YMCA. This is so if we change our meeting venue, the money will not be left with the YMCA. [Note: We have no plans to change our meeting venue; this is just a precaution suggested by the donor.]

2) BANK ACCOUNT:
One of the members, “F,” has set up an EIN (Employer Identification Number, also known as Federal Tax Identification Number) for New Landscape. Though we now have the number, we have not yet received the actual paperwork from the government. When we do, “F” will open a bank account in the name of New Landscape. We will use that account to pay room rental, as well as any incidental expenses we have. We will also be able to accept donations made out to “New Landscape.” Currently, without a bank account, we have no way of depositing checks made out to New Landscape.

3) CONTINUITY OF NEW LANDSCAPE:
We continued the discussion (from previous months) about enabling New Landscape to become self-sufficient after January, when “V” will no longer be able to devote as much time or money to it as she has in the past. [The money issue has been temporarily resolved. The room-rental expense will be taken care of for one year through the donation. The monthly mailings are no longer being sent out through the post office, so we won’t have the postage and duplicating costs we have had in the past.]

The various functions for keeping the group going will be split up. These are:
Relationship with the YMCA:
– Paying the monthly rental of $50.00: This will be done by “F,” who is setting up the bank account. She will mail a check to the YMCA.
– Making sure the room is reserved for the correct dates: This can be tied into the monthly mailing of the check. (At present, “V” hand-delivers a check the week before the meeting and makes sure of the room at that time.)
– Coming to meetings 15 minutes early to set up the room: This involves posting a sign on the door, arranging chairs, setting up the table. These preparations are necessary in order for the meeting to start exactly at 10:00. Currently, “V” does this. Someone is needed to do it after January (it doesn’t have to be the same person at each meeting).

Moderator for the Sharing portion of the meeting:
Jeanette was the moderator for October and November. She will continue to be moderator in December and January. After that, we need a moderator. [Note: The moderator shares as well as moderates; the moderator just calls on him/herself when he/she has something to share.]

Moderator for the Group-Format portion of the meeting:
In December, “R” will moderate the second part of the meeting (group format and structure). At her request, “V” will provide her with a list of topics/issues, since “V” is the one who currently monitors the email account and knows what is going on. The main focus of the business meeting in the next few months is to put in place a structure to enable the group to continue after January.

Setting up a Website:
We would like to set up a website for New Landscape which would be secure; only those on the mailing list would have the password. The reason for making the site secure (not accessible on the open Internet) is safety. We do not want our meeting date and location available to people who may be voyeurs just wanting to see what a Multiple looks like.

The website would contain the monthly mailing: meeting notice and Writing Project. It would also contain things like: past issues of the Writing Project, Sharing Guidelines, copy of the pamphlet about New Landscape, copy of the Phone Outreach Guidelines, etc. When the site is up and running, it will not be necessary to send out the monthly mailings anymore. Anyone with the password will be able to log to get the information.

Until the website is a reality, we will continue to send out the monthly mailings by email. They are sent out individually, not in bulk, to avoid their winding up in the junk-mail folder. This is time-consuming. It will be easier when they can just be posted on a website.

NOTE: We will continue to keep the Post Office box, even though we will not send out monthly mailings through the post office. Anyone can contact us via email or post-office mail.

Publicity:
It was felt that getting the word about New Landscape to therapists is the best method of publicity for right now. Several members took copies of the New Landscape pamphlet to leave with therapists, trauma centers, and counseling services.

If anyone who was not at the meeting would like copies of the pamphlet to distribute, please let us know, and we will mail them to you.

Mailing list:
The mailing list is considerably smaller, as only a few people asked to be converted from snail-mail to email. At present it is about 50 people.

If you know of anyone you think should be on our mailing list, please let us know (therapists, DID clients, clinics).

Overall administration:
It was felt that dividing up responsibilities would only work if there were a person to do overall coordination. “V” volunteered to do that at least until June, even if she isn’t at the meetings. She would need to be informed by the people who did come the meeting what the topics were, etc.

1) CONTINUITY OF NEW LANDSCAPE:
All present wanted New Landscape to continue after January, when “V” will no longer be able to assume primary responsibility for the group, either administratively or financially. Different aspects of running the group were discussed, with a view to dividing them up; no one person would do everything.

2) MODERATOR:
The moderator for the sharing portion of the October meeting was Jeanette. She will continue as moderator for Nov, Dec, and Jan. The moderator for the business portion of the October meeting was “V.” (If anyone would like to moderate this portion of the meeting in November and/or December, and/or January, please let “V” know. The main focus of the business meeting in the next few months is to put in place a structure to enable the group to continue.)

3) MONTHLY MAILINGS–DISTRIBUTION:
The monthly mailings are the most expensive activity that New Landscape undertakes. There are about 180 people on the mailing list. The majority receive paper mailings via the post office. A few receive them via e-mail, and a few receive both (e-mail and post-office mail). The group decided to stop using the post office for monthly mailings. The November mailing will be the last one we send through the post office. After that, anyone wishing to receive the monthly mailings will get them through e-mail. If we don’t have your e-mail address, please send it to us. (We will still keep the post office box—for use other than the monthly mailings.)

NOTE: At present, the e-mails are sent out individually. In doing it that way, we hope to avoid winding up in the junk-mail folder. When we convert the entire list to e-mail, it will no longer be feasible to send every piece of e-mail separately. It is suggested that you make newlandscape1@yahoo.com one of your safe addresses. [If anyone knows of a way to send out bulk e-mails in a way that insures delivery and keeps the names of those to whom it is sent from being displayed, please let us know. Thank you.]

4) MONTHLY MAILINGS—WRITING PROJECT:
[This item was not discussed at the meeting.] Note from “V”: At present, I put together the monthly Writing Project. As I may not be at every meeting after January, if anyone wants to volunteer to do this, please let us know. Here’s what is involved: a) Write up the list of discussion topics (from both the sharing and business portions of the meeting). b) Include any writings that members may send in. c) Time frame: This should all be done two weeks before the meeting.

5) WEBSITE:
We are looking into the possibility of creating a secure website, one not on the open Internet, but accessible only through a password. When that is operational, we will let everyone on the mailing list know how to log on. The plan is to post the monthly mailings on the website. One of the members is looking into how to set this up. (We don’t want our meeting location posted on the open Internet for safety reasons.) This might not happen for months, so in the meantime, starting December, we will send out the monthly mailings via e-mail.

6) BANK ACCOUNT:
At present, it is difficult for us to accept donations of checks made out to New Landscape, because we have no bank account. One of the members is looking into opening a bank account under the name of “New Landscape.” When that is up and running, we will be able to pay the monthly room rental from it, as well as accept donations. [People who come to meetings make donations in cash (donations are optional; no one has to donate). We have also received donations from a few people who don’t come to meetings; those are harder to process because we don’t yet have a bank account.]

7) RELATIONSHIP WITH THE YMCA:
Monthly room rental:
Until the bank account is set up, “V” will continue to pay the rental with her personal check. After that, the member who set up the bank account will mail a check to the YMCA.
Other YMCA issues:
On two occasions over the past two years, there has been a mix-up in the room reservation, and New Landscape was moved to another room at the last minute. Also, sometimes the chairs and table are not in the room—or there are too many chairs, and the Y thinks they can interrupt our meeting to take the chairs out whenever they are needed for another function. To avoid this, “V” has been coming early and putting the extra chairs in the hall, so our meeting won’t be disturbed. (Note from “V”: I can continue to do this whenever I come to meetings. But after January, I will not be able to attend every meeting. If anyone wishes to help in this way, please e-mail us. Thank you.)

8. MAILING LIST:
A volunteer is needed to maintain the mailing list (additions, changes).

9) E-MAIL and POST OFFICE INQUIRIES:
A volunteer is needed to monitor and respond to inquiries that come through the e-mail account and the post office box (at present, 99% of the inquiries come through the e-mail account).

10) MATTERS OF CONCERN TO OUTSIDE PEOPLE AND GROUPS:
Occasionally, outside people or groups request that we publicize one of their functions at our meeting, or that we discuss a certain topic at the meeting. Under the guidelines for the open discussion, the only topics discussed are those brought up by members actually at the meeting. That structure has worked well for us, and we don’t want to change it. The group decided on the following: Whenever such a request comes in, whoever is monitoring the e-mail account will decide whether the issue is appropriate to bring to the attention of the members. If it is, he/she will print out a few copies of the notice or e-mail and make them available on the give-away table at the meetings. At some time during the business meeting, an announcement will be made that there are new items on the give-away table. [There were two such items at the October meeting: 1) The FEGS sexual abuse survivors art show. 2) A request from Lynn W. of “Many Voices” re: someone from the New York area with DID who also has breast cancer and is afraid of doctors, hospitals, and being thought strange by people in breast cancer groups; if you have any suggestions for her, Lynn will pass them on. Contact info for Lynn: (513) 751-8020; P.O. Box 2639, Cincinnati, OH 45201-2639; LynnW@manyvoicespress.com.]