seven steps to support group success start an addiva support group in your area!

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Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

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Page 1: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

Seven steps to support group success

Start an ADDiva

support group in your

area!

Page 2: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

What’s so special about

seven?Seven Deadly Sins

Seven Wonders of the World

Seven Little Girls!

Truth: seven is a number people remember (better than

8 or 6)

Page 3: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

How I became an “overnight” sensation

Desperately seeking supportNo Triangle support groupsFound Meetup.com – 21 people, all meetings canceled

Now largest in the world – 580 members (not all attend!)What did I do right?And wrong?

Page 4: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

I made every mistake

Missed a few meetingsUsed a rotating location (even I couldn’t find it)Had no agenda for the meetingLet people ramble and take over the meetingRan ragged and got resentfulThen things changed ….

Page 5: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

Step 1Use an established group

CHADD Meetup.com

High search engine High search engine rankingranking

Automatic reminders Automatic reminders and membership and membership managementmanagement

Costs $19 a monthCosts $19 a month

Built-in audienceBuilt-in audience

Must be a CHADD Must be a CHADD member (one time fee)member (one time fee)

Rigid meeting rulesRigid meeting rules

Automatic reminders Automatic reminders and announcementsand announcements

Page 6: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

2. Monthly meetings

Keep them engaged

ADDivas lose interest ADDivas lose interest without the energy of without the energy of regular meetingsregular meetings

60-90 min. to start, then 60-90 min. to start, then be guided by the mood of be guided by the mood of the group – and your time!the group – and your time!

Be consistent!

Never miss a meeting.Never miss a meeting.

Never miss a meetingNever miss a meeting

Never miss a meetingNever miss a meeting

Get some help so you Get some help so you NEVER miss a meeting!NEVER miss a meeting!

Page 7: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

3 Location, location, location

It should work for YOU

Close to work or your Close to work or your homehome

It should be cheap or no It should be cheap or no cost, of coursecost, of course

Ignore the whiners; YOU Ignore the whiners; YOU are the spark behind the are the spark behind the support.support.

Where?

RestaurantRestaurant

Church (yours? Others?)Church (yours? Others?)

Community centerCommunity center

LibraryLibrary

Disability services centerDisability services center

Page 8: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

Boring to keep discussing meds, when diagnosed, who is a good doctor, etc. Make it interesting to you (you can give info or find a

willing volunteer from community or group).

Topics? Skim ADHD books like “Confessions of an ADDiva!”

Create topics for each meeting

Page 9: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

Let people TALK!They are hungry to connect.

Let them. But stay in control of the meeting or you will always run late (embarrassed grimace from me).

Watch privacy issues.

Make statement at each meeting.

Protect your attendees!

Page 10: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

6. Let people helpDon’t be the Lone Ranger; you will soon be overwhelmed and resentful and the group will dissolve.

Ask for HELP. People do want to help – Ellen and Ward, Mary, Jeannette and others!

Book speakers 6 months in advance or more (argh – planning!)

Page 11: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

7 Be the spark!

Set the tone for your Set the tone for your gatherings…will they have?gatherings…will they have?

Food?Food?

Speaker?Speaker?

Readings?Readings?

Book club?Book club?

Discussion?Discussion?

Activities?Activities?

Your energy guides the group

If you are dragging, the meeting will drag.

People usually energize me even when I am tired.

Page 12: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

What to expect:

Small meetings at first (take something to do)People will drop in and out – it’s not personalUsually people who show up first have a LOT of issues; multiple diagnosis, etc.The support group takes time, but it should NOT take over your life

Page 13: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

New ADDiva Network LIVE

In-person ADDiva In-person ADDiva Network support group Network support group in your area (ADDiva in your area (ADDiva Network Houston; Network Houston; ADDiva Network ADDiva Network Orlando)Orlando)

You get upport with You get upport with your support networkyour support network

Meetup.com frameworkMeetup.com framework

Once a month coaching Once a month coaching gym, drop in, drop outgym, drop in, drop out

Troubleshooting and Troubleshooting and encouragementencouragement

Topic ideas – a zillion of Topic ideas – a zillion of ‘em‘em

How to find speakersHow to find speakers

Page 14: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

Yeah, but what does it cost?

No secrets - $19 a month No secrets - $19 a month (for Meetup fees) and (for Meetup fees) and $100 for the start-up kit.$100 for the start-up kit.

You get the first month of You get the first month of Meetup FREE (so initial Meetup FREE (so initial investment is only $100)investment is only $100)

Get a customized plan Get a customized plan for your first six monthsfor your first six months

Would love to give it to Would love to give it to you but Meetup charges you but Meetup charges ME so I have to charge ME so I have to charge YOU.YOU.

Ask for a small donation Ask for a small donation to cover the costs. Also to cover the costs. Also ask for snacks and ask for snacks and drinks!drinks!

Page 15: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

Support groups can be simple and easy!

The world needs you

Page 16: Seven steps to support group success Start an ADDiva support group in your area!

Launches September, 2011Addivanetworklive.net