We encourage new facilitators to serve our group...
A Facilitator’s Guide to Meeting Format Options
While this peer support group has operated quite well since 1986, the current facilitators are looking for new and better ways to serve our members. Therefore, we extend an open invitation to any reasonably qualified person to come forth and embrace the opportunity to facilitate any one of our six meetings a year.
If you are interested, contact Holly Boswell for a brief interview at [email protected] or 828-669-3889. Here are some possible formats for your consideration:
While this peer support group has operated quite well since 1986, the current facilitators are looking for new and better ways to serve our members. Therefore, we extend an open invitation to any reasonably qualified person to come forth and embrace the opportunity to facilitate any one of our six meetings a year.
If you are interested, contact Holly Boswell for a brief interview at [email protected] or 828-669-3889. Here are some possible formats for your consideration:
- Our traditional format: about 30 minutes of sharing trans community news & updates, introductions & pass the hat (need at least $50), followed by 90 or more minutes of open dialogue, where new &/or most challenged people receive attention while the facilitator must restrain any one who might dominate the discussion, and ending with a social time for networking and refreshments. Clubbing afterward is an option.
- After news and intro’s, ask for topics of interest, then have break-out groups to discuss these topics in various rooms within the house, reconvene and share, then social time.
- Atlanta Gender Explorations has an interesting model, though the cost goes up. The first hour is strictly group therapy, facilitated by a professional "marriage & family counselor". After that, the remaining group members can join in for social and networking time.
- To complement any meeting, a "guest speaker" can be invited to present on a topic of interest, preferably no longer than 30-40 minutes, perhaps followed by Q&A. Screening a relevant short film could also serve this purpose, yet hopefully not at the expense of necessary group discussion.
- In lieu of a formal meeting, once a year or so the Phoenix meeting might consist of a party on site, with food, drink, music and merriment. A group dinner at a restaurant before the meeting is also an option. Plus Andrea Orr often hosts potlucks before the meeting at her home in Weaverville. RSVP Andrea at 828-649-4601.