I need some input to improve this program!

[SuzySunshine]

I agree with Heidi. Here some of the events are during the day, most of the events are held at both times meaning there are two groups. My bible study, for example, is mostly wives that don't have children. There are a few that have very small children but most work. There is also a bible study held on Friday morning and childcare is provided, it of course is attended by all SAHM's. By having a group that meets in evenings and days you have to have to coordinators/leaders but you get a much larger percentage of the population IMO.

We're here for a year-long fewllowship and I have been impressed with the support group here. I am usually not a joiner, because of regular "pointless" meetings and the feeling of needing to know every member.

Though here, I decided to "join" for our dc. The group doesn't have regular group meetings, rather, interest based meetings on a regular basis ( i.e monthly spouses out night, cookng club, hobbies night, weekly kid play groups) What's great is everyone is in the same boat, and they don't know many people in the area, but want a chance to get out, so it's fun and not clique-y (is that a word?). It also gives you a chance to complain about things only another medical spouse would understand, albeit about dawkter or perfect dc

I also agree with pp, make thing accessible on line.

congrats on being the representative!

[planet]

Hi Lady!

I am in a similar position and here’s what we have planned for the coming year that speaks to training phase.

Childcare is provided at monthly meetings

Introductory BBQ is at a park near the hospital, on a weekend, where there is a fenced playground

A networking event

Mentoring program (btdt and a dash of encouragement)

Our local Alliance is mostly women like in yours, but they have been together as a group since many of them were with spouses in training. It has taken a touch of ‘remember when,’ but at this point everyone is enthusiastic about meeting the needs of a current crop of fresh medical families. I do think you need to bring up the points about meeting times, meeting goals, etc. I have found the members to be very receptive and eager to provide support. Email is heavily relied upon…this is good. Ours does happen to be a feisty and intellectual group as well. The group focus does need to be stated or you have to wonder what you are joining -good point by Flynn. In our case the purpose is for camaraderie for couples/families in medicine and to contribute to the community. The Alliance does some great community projects and I absolutely admire the charity of many of the women involved. On the other hand, no intern’s spouse with toddlers wants a phone call asking him/her to man a booth for three hours on a Saturday. I have been impressed at the level to which our members have responded to my bluntness about residents’ needs and also to their efforts to listen and adapt. Oh, and we’re wording (waiting for approval) spouses and SOs and hoping to make it guy friendly. Heidi -agree about different activities. I’ve noticed that small groups just happen. I think there has to be some threshold number of members though to have enough coordinators and activities. I don’t know what that number would be…just an observation.

I actually am just finishing a trifold brochure to go out to incoming residents that has a description of the group on one side and a calandar of local activities (mostly free) on the inside. I can pm to you if you’re interested…though not in final form yet (dragging thanks to taxes, now done...no last minute here *sigh*).

I had no internet access for the last five months…I got a lot done (not really back...just catching up...so HI to anyone who remembers me)

[rainbabies]

hi janet.