Virtual Support Group Next Steps

So the response on the virtual support group was incredible so I think we will take the next step toward making that happen. I will be looking at our options for online meeting. I would prefer voice/video to typing chat, but please let me know either way. I will find out what sounds like it will work best for us with one alternate and I will put together a trial run "MeetUp". GooglePlus Hangouts was suggested so I will look at that. I also have access to GoTo Meeting and I will be looking at Skype. If anyone else has any suggestions that would be great, please feel free to respond here so we can discuss them.

Next will be the format. I have never been to a support group, but I was thinking about the following format. Those of you who have been to real support groups, please chime in with the format you have:

1. Opening Comments and Introduction (moderator, initially that would be me, later we can switch around)... 2 to 5 minutes

2. Guest Speaker (if we can get them. I am thinking Doctors, Therapists, Nutritionist, Internet "gurus", exercise enthusiasts) ... 20 minutes

3. Guest Speaker Q & A ... 5 to 10 minutes

4. Round Table ... Open Forum for each of us to discuss our success, our failures, our plans, and to ask questions of the group. We will have to hash out the best way to moderate this. ... 30 mins to ??? so everyone has a chance to talk.

5. Specialty Discussions ... Might talk about a recipe, a web site, a book, a kitchen gadget, a food product, whatever.

6. Closing Comments and Assignments!

I am going to try to do things for use like get us special discounts, sample products, and access to premium content as well. I think this could be really good.

Thoughts?

 

This is the first I've seen of this and I love it.

Count me in.

My only suggestion is perhaps provide alternating ways of meeting. Sometimes voice/video and sometimes typing? Only if this makes it possible for more people to participate.  Also, time of day will make a difference for me. I'll wait and see how it pans out.

I am thinking we would meet twice a month at alternating times so that everyone should be able to make it at least once a month.

I like that. I may be the oddball out because daytime/weekdays works best for me, but I'll be following for sure!

I will look into a way of possibly recording the session and putting them on YouTube for all of us to see. I am not to keen on the typing thing because there are lots of chat type rooms where you can do this and they always turn into a **** show.

 

 

If you could set up a morning/afternoon meetingand an evening/nighttime meeting, that would be great.

Sounds like a great idea...the format is very simliar to the format I have seen at support meetings I have attended....the most recents ones I have been to my Nut is the moderator and she usually starts with an educational topic such as protein and such...good luck!

I am so excited about this opportunity!  

Keith, think about inverting the time frames for speaker and Q+A for the speaker. If the content for speaker were 10 or 15 minutes you could leave 15 minutes for Q+A. I think you will find you need more than 5-10 for Q+A. I think this is going to generate a lot of discussion and that is a great thing. Thank you so much for working so hard on all of this. I think it is fantastic.

Keith, this is the first I have seen of this also.  Been incredibly busy so have not been on here.  Trying to work on all the great ideas you and the group provided me with prior.  I'd love to get involved with a support group as all the ones in my area are at times I cannot make.  Thanks for taking the time and energy to put this together.