A few days ago, I put out a general announcement asking for volunteers to organize and lead local support groups for face-to-face interactions or Spring Gatherings between members of Living With TN. So far, we've had responses and are beginning to set up lists of interested members in the following areas.
London Ontario [Sarah Hilton]
Toronto Area [members invited to talk with Deborah Knowles]
Southern Florida [Dixie Thompson]
New Jersey [Lee Ann]
Salt Lake City and State of Utah [Jessica Reade]
Central Oregon [Sabrina Sloan of Bend OR]
Portland Oregon [local members invited to talk with Danna]
Corvalis Oregon [local members invited to talk with Kelly W]
North Carolina [Mary Welborn]
Kansas City [Kimberly Marcos -- affiliated with TN Association support group]
Los Angeles Basin, California [Laurie Brown of Mira Loma]
-- Also contacted by Ashley Walls formerly co-leader of a TN Association support group
Witchita KS [local members invited to talk with Lori Glover of Park City KS]
South West Virginia [Kay Luttrell of Blacksburg VA]
Hampton Roads, Virginia [local members invited to talk with Brenda Ruark]
In some cases, members don't feel they can lead a group, but would still like to talk with a few people who are local to them in geography. I've also indicated people for whom I've put out inquiries to a few local members. In all cases, the inquiries are being handled on a "blind copy opt in" basis. If members don't choose to respond to my invitation emails, their addresses are not revealed publicly.
I believe this is progress. Members who wish to talk with others in their local area, or who may be willing to organize a larger group and hold one or more meetings, are encouraged to send me a note at ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■. I will put together a blind-copy distribution list from our member registration database, and send out the invitations to contact the group leaders. I am of course sharing this correspondence with our site owners, Ben Munoz and Scott Orn. When we get a little clearer idea of whether this idea is catching on, I'll post a "support groups" page to our site menus.
Be advised as well, that we're newcomers to support groups services. The TN Association has been doing this work for over 17 years. If you'd like to investigate and join one of their groups, you may start with http://www.fpa-support.org/find-help/tna-support-network-3/
Regards all,
Red