June 2006 Business

1) Questionnaire:
More therapists than “clients” responded to the questionnaire. Most of the therapists said they would recommend (or had recommended) New Landscape to appropriate clients. A few wanted to know more about the group first. The other responses were from people who dissociate. The majority of people who have attended the meetings felt they were beneficial; a few did not. Of the people who haven’t attended, some didn’t know anyone and/or didn’t know how to get there and/or were uncomfortable traveling alone. Others were concerned with issues like safety and confidentiality. Several people seemed to confuse New Landscape with the old NYSSMP&D (New York Society for the Study of Multiple Personality & Dissociation), which used to meet on 120th Street. Just to clarify, when New Landscape was starting (2004), we used the mailing list of the NYSSMP&D, but that is the extent of the connection. New Landscape is not affiliated with any group.

NOTE that it is not too late to send in the questionnaire. The more feedback we have, the more responsive we can be.

2) Phone Outreach:
As a result of the questionnaire responses, we revisited the idea of phone outreach. We decided to start small: just provide phone outreach to people who are considering coming to meetings but would like to talk to someone beforehand. In the interest of safety, we agreed on the following procedures and guidelines.

PROCEDURES:
a)When someone inquires about New Landscape (via email or snail-mail), inform them of the phone outreach availability and guidelines. (We will also include notice of phone outreach in the monthly mailing.)
b)Any New Landscape member who wants to volunteer to talk to a prospective-member will let “V” know.
c) When a prospective-member indicates that he/she would like to be called, “V” will inform one of the member-volunteers. She will also let the prospective-member know (via e-mail or snail-mail) the name of the person who will call.
d)The member-volunteer will inform “V” when the call has been made. (Also inform her if the call has not been made, so she can find another volunteer or get back to the prospective-member to say no one is available at this time.)

GUIDELINES:
a) Only first names will be used (no last names).
b) The prospective member will provide New Landscape with his/her phone number, and indicate several times that are good to call.
c)In the interest of privacy/safety, the person making the call will not provide his/her phone number, and may turn off caller-ID. Only first names will be used (no last names).
d) The phone call may last up to 15 minutes (no longer).
e) What can be discussed: a) Meeting location; how to get there. b) What happens at meetings: procedures, safety, topics, guidelines, etc.
f) What cannot be discussed: a) Personal information about anyone who comes to meetings, e.g., names. b) Any issues/problems not pertaining to the meeting (details of personal trauma, etc.).
Several members volunteered to make the calls, so after we finalize the procedures at the July meeting, phone outreach can begin.

3) Transportation:
Also as a result of the questionnaire responses, some members volunteered take public transportation with other members, or to drive them. We decided to put together transportation guidelines at the July meeting. Some issues to be addressed are: sharing the cost of gas, pick-up and drop-off locations (rather than door-to-door), acceptable topics of conversation.

4) Continuity of New Landscape:
“V” would like to set up procedures so the group can run even if she’s not there. Several members volunteered to be alternate moderators. “V” will update the moderator-folders and have them at the July meeting for anyone who wants one. They contain meeting guidelines, signs for the door, etc. At a future meeting, we will discuss sharing some of the other tasks: monthly mailings, monitoring the email account, setting up the room before the meeting, etc.