Guidelines for Small Groups - Please Read

**Emily** · 19-08-2004, 23:59

What are Small Groups?

'Small Groups' is a programme we introduced here at Christian Survivors in the summer of 2004. As our forum membership had dramatically grown over the previous 2 years, we identified a need for creating smaller 'pockets' of members - to make it easier for close, supportive friendships to be developed. Our small groups programme grew out of this need.

Each group is made up of regular members at CSF, & holds a maximum of 8-10 members. Group membership is only considered after 16 weeks of regular posting on the forums, ('regular posting' at CS is defined as 'having posted regularly for the required time' ... and specifically, that 'you have shown willingness to be open and honest, that you are openly working on survivor issues, and that you have shown yourself to be trustworthy'), and each member wishing to be placed in a group has to agree to be committed to the group they are placed in - including consistency in spending time with the group; commitment to maintaining confidentiality within that group; & the willingness / ability to put energy and love into supporting the other members there - and to building friendships with them. These guidelines help the groups to become very stable, secure environments for support.

The small groups are not issue driven, as our private forums are. Instead of dealing with specific survivor / recovery topics, the goal is to develop close, strong friendships among our members. Each group's members will commit themselves to caring for every member of the group, (including it's moderators) through consistent posting. All of our groups have a clear policy of "What's said in the group, stays in the group". This is in order to provide safety and confidentiality for its members.

You can read more about our small groups programme on our website, and you can request to become a member of a group in the appropriate thread in the 'Need Help? Ask the Staff' forum. (Please be aware that there is usually a waiting list for small group membership.)

Small Group Guidelines

These guidelines have been set out for the use of all small groups on CS. They are in place in order to keep things running smoothly, and to ensure that all group members and leaders are supported, and safe.

Each group has two moderators, whose responsibility it is to keep the group running; however please remember that the moderators are a part of your group, and will need to receive support as well as give it! Each group will also have an assigned senior staff member who will be available to help with any problems that may arise. This staff member will be listed as moderator on your group forum, alongside the group moderators, so that you know who you can come to if there are any problems.
Please remember that all regular forum rules & guidelines still apply in the small group setting!
Whilst small groups are meant to give an added level of support, they are in no way meant to take the place of the forum as a whole. Most support threads should still be posted in the appropriate forums on CSF, but members of a group are encouraged to watch more closely the posts of members in their groups. (This is particularly important with more triggering or graphic posts, which should still be posted in the appropriate trigger forums and titled appropriately.) This provides a strong support network for each member in a small group - and works alongside the discussions in the group's private forum to build healthy, strong relationships.
It is important to respect boundaries that are put in place by your group moderators, as well as other members in your group. While your groups members are an added level of support, it is not meant for them to become your only support.
Please note that non-participation in your small group over a period of weeks may result in removal from the group - so please inform your group mod if you are going to be away for any length of time.
Please be very careful to remember that anything discussed within your group should always stay in the group! Confidentiality is of the utmost importance if your group is to become a safe place for each member.
Small Groups Specific Participation Requirements
- Each group member should spend time posting in every other group members’ threads at least twice weekly. While it is ok to post a hug, or a short response so someone knows that you’re listening, it is important that the conversation extend beyond that to a real in depth conversation. It is important that actual conversation is taking place in small groups.
- Every member of a small group is expected to post at least 25 posts outside of small group each month. Any posts in the Chill Zone forums do not count toward the posting guidelines. These posts can be either your own personal threads, others’ threads, or preferably a combination of both.
- If for any reason you will be unable to be on the forum or in your group for more than 3 days, you should contact your small group leaders to let them know.
- It is extremely important that every single group member is doing their part in order to make each small group a success. For this reason, these guidelines will be strictly enforced. Staff will be checking every group member’s participation monthly. If the posting guidelines are not met, a warning will be sent. If the guidelines are not met a second time, the group member is subject to removal from their group.

With many thanks for your co-operation,

The CSF Staff

**Susannah** · 04-08-2007, 02:18

Guidelines for small group members with DID:

The following set of guidelines is sent to any member who has DID, who will be participating in small groups. In order to be admitted to the group, they will have to reply that they agree to these guidelines.

There are a few issues that are needs specific to members with DID. We have worked to come up with a set of guidelines that line up with the general guidelines for participating in small groups, while adding more DID specific information to make it easier for you to get settled in.

Any insider who is 16 or older is welcome to join a small group. They will, however, need to have their own account set up to participate. All they would need to do to get that is just let a member of the senior staff team know. This is a way for us to help your insiders develop their own relationships and an 'identity' for themselves, and could greatly help their self esteem. This would require that the host be willing to work with that insider on allowing time for them to participate in their group and interact with it's members.

Any insider under 16 would not meet the age requirements for participating, and so will not be allowed to post in the group forum. This is because the groups are adult groups, and content will not be guarded for age appropriateness.

The member who has signed up to be in the group is the only part of the system who will be allowed to participate in that group. This is because it is important for the other group members that there is consistency in the group members - allowing them to get to know each other and feel safe sharing within the group.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy feel free to post in the 'Member Concerns' forum, where senior staff will be happy to assist you.

19-08-2004, 23:59	#1
Emily Administrator Support Staff Small Group Moderator Small Group Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 42,966 Gender: F	Guidelines for Small Groups - Please Read What are Small Groups? 'Small Groups' is a programme we introduced here at Christian Survivors in the summer of 2004. As our forum membership had dramatically grown over the previous 2 years, we identified a need for creating smaller 'pockets' of members - to make it easier for close, supportive friendships to be developed. Our small groups programme grew out of this need. Each group is made up of regular members at CSF, & holds a maximum of 8-10 members. Group membership is only considered after 16 weeks of regular posting on the forums, ('regular posting' at CS is defined as 'having posted regularly for the required time' ... and specifically, that 'you have shown willingness to be open and honest, that you are openly working on survivor issues, and that you have shown yourself to be trustworthy'), and each member wishing to be placed in a group has to agree to be committed to the group they are placed in - including consistency in spending time with the group; commitment to maintaining confidentiality within that group; & the willingness / ability to put energy and love into supporting the other members there - and to building friendships with them. These guidelines help the groups to become very stable, secure environments for support. The small groups are not issue driven, as our private forums are. Instead of dealing with specific survivor / recovery topics, the goal is to develop close, strong friendships among our members. Each group's members will commit themselves to caring for every member of the group, (including it's moderators) through consistent posting. All of our groups have a clear policy of "What's said in the group, stays in the group". This is in order to provide safety and confidentiality for its members. You can read more about our small groups programme on our website, and you can request to become a member of a group in the appropriate thread in the 'Need Help? Ask the Staff' forum. (Please be aware that there is usually a waiting list for small group membership.) Small Group Guidelines These guidelines have been set out for the use of all small groups on CS. They are in place in order to keep things running smoothly, and to ensure that all group members and leaders are supported, and safe. Each group has two moderators, whose responsibility it is to keep the group running; however please remember that the moderators are a part of your group, and will need to receive support as well as give it! Each group will also have an assigned senior staff member who will be available to help with any problems that may arise. This staff member will be listed as moderator on your group forum, alongside the group moderators, so that you know who you can come to if there are any problems. Please remember that all regular forum rules & guidelines still apply in the small group setting! Whilst small groups are meant to give an added level of support, they are in no way meant to take the place of the forum as a whole. Most support threads should still be posted in the appropriate forums on CSF, but members of a group are encouraged to watch more closely the posts of members in their groups. (This is particularly important with more triggering or graphic posts, which should still be posted in the appropriate trigger forums and titled appropriately.) This provides a strong support network for each member in a small group - and works alongside the discussions in the group's private forum to build healthy, strong relationships. It is important to respect boundaries that are put in place by your group moderators, as well as other members in your group. While your groups members are an added level of support, it is not meant for them to become your only support. Please note that non-participation in your small group over a period of weeks may result in removal from the group - so please inform your group mod if you are going to be away for any length of time. Please be very careful to remember that anything discussed within your group should always stay in the group! Confidentiality is of the utmost importance if your group is to become a safe place for each member. Small Groups Specific Participation Requirements Each group member should spend time posting in every other group members’ threads at least twice weekly. While it is ok to post a hug, or a short response so someone knows that you’re listening, it is important that the conversation extend beyond that to a real in depth conversation. It is important that actual conversation is taking place in small groups. Every member of a small group is expected to post at least 25 posts outside of small group each month. Any posts in the Chill Zone forums do not count toward the posting guidelines. These posts can be either your own personal threads, others’ threads, or preferably a combination of both. If for any reason you will be unable to be on the forum or in your group for more than 3 days, you should contact your small group leaders to let them know. It is extremely important that every single group member is doing their part in order to make each small group a success. For this reason, these guidelines will be strictly enforced. Staff will be checking every group member’s participation monthly. If the posting guidelines are not met, a warning will be sent. If the guidelines are not met a second time, the group member is subject to removal from their group. With many thanks for your co-operation, The CSF Staff __________________ FAQ \| Profile \| Rules \| Access \| Staff \| Donate \| Safety I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. ~Anne Frank Last edited by Susannah; 04-08-2007 at 02:10..