[DocJohn]

We're looking for volunteers to become new chat groups leaders!

This requires no expertise or prior experience -- all you need do is have a passion for a topic (something in the emotional or mental health support category), and a commitment to showing up in the chat rooms once a week, every week for at least 6 months.

You pick the topic.
You pick the day & time.
You run the group.

Groups don't need a formal topic every week, or any kind of structure at all (that's entirely up to you -- we're fine with unstructured groups whose purpose it is to focus on the topic once a week).

Interested? PM me and I'll talk to you about next steps.

Thanks for your consideration!!

Best,
DocJohn

[tealBumblebee]

Excited to see what you guys come up with!

[sad_dad2012]

Dear Doc,
I'm Interested. My commitment level is well known. Hope all is well with you, and yours! SD

[-jimi-]

Yea pick him. He's doing it anyway.

[falling star]

Doc,
I have been thinking about this a while and even talked to my t about it. I would like to be a chat leadear for women with sexual assult issues. I have been going to a group for months and it is really wonderful. There are ground rules and topics. The biggest one is to learn boundaries. I believe it should be a closed group so people feel safe. Allow a certain number and then close sothere won't be surprises. Then another group start in two months. My groups irl were six weeks closed then a new one. Let me know what you think. Star.

[Arwen_78]

Sad_dad2012 would be a great chat leader... he always has a great music room! Somewhere we can just forget about it all

[Gus1234U]

i hope people who want to become chat leaders will think of how disappointing it is to get up just for a Support Chat, and find that it's not being held, no one knows why, what a let down.

i would like to encourage prospective chat leaders to get a co-leader: someone to come to the Chat regularly, and fill in, at least hosting, when the leader is absent, with or without notice.

we all know that life is uncertain, but it can be really discouraging to be counting on a chat and find nothing. best wishes to any who take on this responsibility~!
Gus

[eskielover]

We had a good dbt Chat group leader, Don't know what happened to her but having a DBT chat group to help those starting out with it &support those continuing to need the reminding is valuable. After going through 2 years of DBT &now in next step & experiencing how. Valuable it is I have a real passion for DBT. I would love to get a chat group started again

[DocJohn]

Opening up this call for chat group leaders again, as it seems we rotate through them fairly regularly.

No experience necessary, but you should feel comfortable in chat rooms. I'm most interested in hearing from members who would like to help lead a group with something they have a lot of real life experience with, and who can commit to at least 6 months in hosting the group.

Thanks, and PM me if you're interested!!

Best,
DocJohn

[Marlene1105]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

We're looking for volunteers to become new chat groups leaders!

This requires no expertise or prior experience -- all you need do is have a passion for a topic (something in the emotional or mental health support category), and a commitment to showing up in the chat rooms once a week, every week for at least 6 months.

You pick the topic.
You pick the day & time.
You run the group.

Groups don't need a formal topic every week, or any kind of structure at all (that's entirely up to you -- we're fine with unstructured groups whose purpose it is to focus on the topic once a week).

Interested? PM me and I'll talk to you about next steps.

Thanks for your consideration!!

Best,
DocJohn

Hello,

I am interested in becoming a Chat Group Leader. I realize I just joined this group today; however, I have attended lots of classes regarding Self Esteem issues.

Respectfully,

Marlene1105

[Gus1234U]

i wonder if former Chat Leaders would care to post on what happened that lead to them stop Hosting the Chat?

Originally Posted by Gus1234U

i wonder if former Chat Leaders would care to post on what happened that lead to them stop Hosting the Chat?

Nothing having to do with the commitment or the users or the experience itself. I was a pretty rewarding experience. I would highly recommend that anyone who has an interest in any subject they feel that could be helpful in any capacity [and who feels they can meet the minimum time/length requirements] to consider doing it.

Its fun, the members are very supportive, and it's generally a great experience. I loved it for the short time I did it and it's a great way to learn more about something you are interested in and have a way to get more ideas and learn about other people on the site.

[ifst5]

I recently started a social group for members in the UK to discuss their experiences of mental health treatment - i'd be more than happy to host chats for them to discuss present situations in real time. My concern is getting the word out there so that there's enough people to make the exercise worthwhile. As it stands there are several users i'm in regular contact with who might be interested. Can you send me the information?

Originally Posted by DocJohn

Opening up this call for chat group leaders again, as it seems we rotate through them fairly regularly.

No experience necessary, but you should feel comfortable in chat rooms. I'm most interested in hearing from members who would like to help lead a group with something they have a lot of real life experience with, and who can commit to at least 6 months in hosting the group.

Thanks, and PM me if you're interested!!

Best,
DocJohn

DocJohn, My name is Guy W., and YES, I am very interested in becoming a Chat Group Leader. I have made PC my sencond home, and love being here with all the new people. I find it very enriching to meet people with different issues, and looking for guidance. Lets talk about making this Happen !! Have the Best Friday ever, and Talk soon. Sincerely, Guy W.

Originally Posted by JosieTheGirl

Nothing having to do with the commitment or the users or the experience itself. I was a pretty rewarding experience. I would highly recommend that anyone who has an interest in any subject they feel that could be helpful in any capacity [and who feels they can meet the minimum time/length requirements] to consider doing it.

Its fun, the members are very supportive, and it's generally a great experience. I loved it for the short time I did it and it's a great way to learn more about something you are interested in and have a way to get more ideas and learn about other people on the site.

Thanks Josie The Girl, and as allways, YOU ROCK !! Sincerely, Guy W.

[wing]

Originally Posted by falling star

Doc,
I have been thinking about this a while and even talked to my t about it. I would like to be a chat leadear for women with sexual assult issues. I have been going to a group for months and it is really wonderful. There are ground rules and topics. The biggest one is to learn boundaries. I believe it should be a closed group so people feel safe. Allow a certain number and then close sothere won't be surprises. Then another group start in two months. My groups irl were six weeks closed then a new one. Let me know what you think. Star.

fs, i think your suggestions are helpful. Too often topic chats get out of the leader's control with people coming in late, being a chat hog, coming once for support then never showing up again leaving all of us wondering what happened, people not sticking to topic, etc. Seems to me rules, boundaries and limits would make a much more organized and
informative exchange of ideas.

[wing]

Originally Posted by Gus1234U

i wonder if former Chat Leaders would care to post on what happened that lead to them stop Hosting the Chat?

Lack of support by my co-leader.

[Chen_Kho]

If you become a Chat gruop leader i think its more excited

[SeeTheSmile]

Good morning DocJohn,
My name is Denise. I just joined yesterday. My purpose in joining is in hope to be able to encourage others. I have dealt with depression for over 15 years. I have experienced many things that attributed to most of it. Through many counseling sessions throughout the years, I have learned how to overcome depression and get through to a brighter tomorrow.
There are so many people that are hurting for many different reasons and if I could bring just one person a smile or a word of encouragement that would help change their life, then I know my efforts are not in vain.
If you deem me fit to help, please feel free to contact me.
I am a little rusting on following threads. It's been a while since I did it with my online college classes.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Have an awesome day!
Denise

[(JD)]

I enjoyed being a chat leader. I held directed chats that built onto the previous weeks' chat on the same topic, and not free-for-all chatting. (I think one of the first eons ago was on Holiday Stress Management.)

Commitment is important, as is being able to lead the chat even on a "bad day" and not just sit in the room monitoring, imo. Having a back up plan if your power goes out etc., is also good.

Remember it takes an average person 13 weeks to develop a need or begin to develop a habit for something and even if you have no one in the room for 4 weeks you still need to be there. Even if there's only one person, you need to hold chat...and begin on time or everyone else will know they can always come late and be fully informed (taking time from the others who were on time...)

Lots to think about...but if your heart is in the right place, very rewarding...draining but rewarding.
Yes, there are those who come very needy and act out at times but admin is generally good at curbing that--if not during the chat, then after you send them the chat portion of issue. It's good to friend up with an admin who will be on site during your chat if you suspect issues, and have someone who can help you in the chat room to take someone "aside" (whisper chat) or go ask for admin help.

Remember, it's all words--a virtual experience and quite safe--and can be very helpful for those in need here. Give it a try!

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Guys, John said to PM him if you're interested. Lol xD

[Gus1234U]

didn't there used to be a 'rule' that a person had to be a PC member for a year before becoming a chat leader ?

[DocJohn]

If it's not listed in this thread and I didn't mention it, then no, that's no longer the case (if it ever was).