Suggested Steps to Start Your Own Support Group

• Don't reinvent the wheel
• Attend other support group meetings in your area to get a feel how they operate
• Know your passion and talents
• Find others in your area who would like to join you...share in the work...create a core group or steering committee.  Team leaders that will keep the group focused, energized and perpetuate the process
• Consider obtaining the assistance of professionals in your area who might be interested in your cause.  Could offer meeting space, financial support, referrals
• Determine a location to hold your meetings.  Try to find free meeting space
  • Churches, libraries, community centers, hospitals, social service agency
  • Could consider meetings in a private home if group is small and everyone is comfortable with that
  • Arrange seating in a circle rather than classroom style so everyone feels equal and part of the group discussion
• Determine dates and time (Every Tuesday at 6:00pm - set consistent schedule)
• Promote in your community
  • Create flyer and distribute via email and in public areas where you feel the appropriate audience may be (doctors offices, pharmacies, church, post office, hospital, library, etc.)
  • Call local newspaper
    • Free announcement in community calendar
    • Speak with editor, perhaps they can write an article on group and discussion topic
    • Non-profit Ad for local newspaper (news release announcing date)
• Establish the purpose of your group
  • Make them clear and write them out to share.  Some examples:
    • Resources - Treatment Options
      • Complimentary alternative therapies (nutrition, natural medicine, mind & body, spiritual)
    • Empowerment to ask questions and make suggestions to your doctor
    • Get past stigma - How do we do this?
    • Get other options!
    • Education
      • Demand testing sooner and results faster
    • Emotional Support
    • De Stress
    • Nutrition, Diet, Share suggestions, what to do, what not to do
      • Immune System Support
    • Lifestyle changes
    • Fun Activities and build sense of community
      • Get hope.  Inspiration
      • Friendship
      • Share Perspectives
      • Advocacy - Fundraising
      • Partner with Compliment other groups
      • To Lighten the path for others
    • Include the purpose on a flyer or brochure
    • Create guidelines and document to share:  non-judgmental, confidential and informative
  • Research Facilitation Techniques
    • Gather resources, read books on meeting facilitation
    • Educate yourself on how to relate
    • Feel members out - listen, let cry, talk when needed
    • Know how to handle situations
    • Rogerian Reflective Technique - listening technique
    • Know your limits
  • Research professional resources in your area in case of member 'emergency'
    • Ex: Member in emotional distress and situation is beyond your skill set (someone is seriously depressed, suicidal, etc.)
      • Local church ministry numbers
      • Local mental health
      • ___________ (24/7 locally?)
  • First Meeting
    • Be prepared
    • Structure
      • Commit time to get acquainted, introduce themselves
      • Discuss the purpose of the group
      • Find out the expectation of the members and commitment to attending meetings
      • Ask how members can or are willing to contribute.  If this is not a one-person show...you want to establish the teamwork up-front
        • Help promote
        • Bring refreshments
        • Greet new people
        • Coordinate resources:  speakers, educational materials, etc.
      • What needs do they have in common that the group could address
      • Offer light refreshments so people feel they can eat and mingle
    • Membership
      • Who can attend?  Patients only or caregivers, family, friends
      • Are there dues?  Pass the hat?  Articulate what are the membership fees used for
    • Meeting format
      • Discussion time, education, business meeting, service planning, socializing, etc.
      • Topics selected or guest speakers invited
    • Continue to share work and responsibilities of group
      • Who is the contact person
      • Do you want officers
      • Team member roles
      • Greeter
      • Librarian - or keeper of resources
      • Sending out meeting announcements
      • Reaching out to speakers
      • Group liaison for agency, professionals, etc.
    • Create a contact list.  Member names, phone numbers, addresses and emails
  • Future Meetings
    • Use of Professionals
      • Consider having professionals as speakers (local nutritionist, physical thereapist, chiropractor, clergy, etc.)
    • Consider group project or activity like:
      • Offer the opportunity to help others
        • Participating in cancer walk
        • Preparing packages for soldiers
        • Attending someone else's fundraiser to show support
    • Stay in touch with the needs of members
      • Regularly ask new and returning members about their needs and how the group can support.  Adjust meetings and roles accordingly
      • Expect ups and downs of attendance and enthusiasm
    • You may want to consider an association of leaders from similar groups or organization for your own mutual support and the sharing of program ideas and successes
      • Other CF Super Connectors with support groups
      • Other cancer support groups in your area
      • Contact American Cancer Society