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SERVICES |
| EMOTIONAL TOOLKIT DISCUSSION GROUPS
Getting Started 1. First decide if you want your group to be for women in similar circumstances — moms with young children, women in midlife, new graduates — or open to any woman. 2. Discussion groups usually work well when everyone gets a chance to participate fully. This generally happens when you’ve got about 8 members. Too many members could limit your effectiveness. 3. Get started by calling one or two friends. If they’re interested, ask them to bring along one or two friends and pick a date to meet. If you can’t find anyone who wants to start a group, try asking co-workers, or post a sign at your local library, religious center or gym. 4. Given our busy lives, meeting once a month is fine. To assure attendance, schedule your meetings in advance for the next few months and try to commit to those dates. 5. Decide where you’ll meet. Groups usually take turns meeting at each other’s homes. Do you want to include food? If so, will it be potluck or will the host provide the snacks? Running Your Group 1. Decide on your format. You can devote your meetings to talking about each emotional tool or you can talk about the emotional toolkit in general. Use the discussion topics I've provided or make up your own. It’s your call. 2. Determine if you’d like one person to lead the group or have a rotating leader. The leader’s role is to raise questions, and make sure that everyone has a chance to participate. Nothing will squash a group faster that someone who hogs the whole conversation meeting after meeting. 3. Make sure the group members know that what’s said in the group, stays in the group. This will create a level of comfort that will help you get the most from your time together. 4. Decide if you’d like members to comment on each other’s stories or just share their own experiences. If they comment, make sure it’s done in the spirit of helpfulness. 5. End each meeting on a positive note with ideas for change, tools to try or encouragement to members. 6. Keep it fun! Continue to Emotional Toolkit Discussion Guide |
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I’m so glad you’re thinking about starting an Emotional Toolkit Discussion Group. You’ve got so much to gain! Research shows that connecting with others just once every 3 to 4 weeks is the happiness equivalent of doubling your income (and it can slow the aging process too!). When women get together with other women, it stimulates the release of powerful hormones that calm and soothe you. And, of course, it’s a lot of fun!
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