If there isn't
a support group in your area, you might consider starting
one. Here's some tips on from someone who organized a successful
group:
I am
affiliated with the Southern Utah Post Mormon Chapter that
I believe has a great recipe for spreading the word and
offering support for those who are looking for truth, fellowship
and support.
We are
getting close to 60 people in attendance at our monthly
meeting and it is growing each time we meet. Let me pass
on to you what we are doing and four things that you may
consider to achieve what we have.
1.
Great Meetings
Wherever
you are, join with others that live close by and start a
support group that meets at a regular time at a designated
place. For beginning groups, the meeting might be at someone's
home, a public library or a restaurant. Because of our numbers
we meet in a conference room at a hotel. Someone needs to
take charge or be a moderator.
Our
agenda goes something like this. We welcome the group, invite
any new members to stand and introduce themselves, a 15
minute spot light on someone that has been asked ahead to
tell their story, a 30 to 45 minute presentation on some
item of interest by a good speaker, last and probably the
most important part of the meeting is the fellowship and
connecting that takes place after the presentation over
light refreshments. Your agenda can be anyway you wish,
but as your group grows your agenda will evolve with it.
2.
Have a Library
At our
meetings we set up a library/book store and offer books,
tapes and publications for sell and for loan. We started
off with a donation of funds for the books and keep adding
more each month. A library is critical to our success.
3.
Get the Word Out
We have
an active public information campaign. We advertise our
meetings each month in the local paper. Those who sign up
for our e-mail list, get a reminder each month of the meeting
plus other notices, some receive phone calls. Most communities
have institutions that will list your Post Mormon group
for free, like Chambers of Commerce, libraries and local
phone books.
4.
Have a Handout
We put
together a brochure that gives our mission statement, list
our meeting place and time, list our services and resources
like favorite web sites, the top 5 books to read and a person
to contact for more information. We are adding the names
of a couple of professional counselors for those who may
need those services. The brochure doubles not only as a
handout but a mailer also.
5.
Money
Yes,
it takes a little money to get these groups up and running.
Our expenses run about $300 a month primarily for the conference
room that we rent and the ad in the local paper. A beginning
group would be much less. We are now self supporting with
the donations that we receive each month in our meetings.
I look at the money this way. Instead of the 10% I use to
pay, now I donate about 1% of my earnings to the cause of
truth and helping others find their way.
You
Can Do It
I sincerely
encourage everyone to link up with those close by and start
your own Post Mormon group. Many have already started. Even
if there are only 2 of you, dig into your pockets to kick-start
your group, or find a willing donor to help, share your
stories, be organized, be professional, and don’t
be afraid to advertise, post, e-mail, etc. and let others
know what you are doing.
There
are literally thousands out there in variously stages of
questioning, doubting, hurting, and looking for new friends
to share this journey with.
Our
group has several couples with spouses on different levels,
but some of those spouses have ventured out and attended
our group meetings and they have been pleasantly surprised
at the number of smart, intelligent and professional people
in our group.
You
can make a difference!
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