Starting a Group for Women Over 55
Recently I have had several requests for ideas about starting a group for those of us who have reached 55 and forward. Some want a women's group, some a coed group. Here are a few suggestions, based on groups I have run or been part of.
Decide whether you want to organize a group yourself or want to find someone to do that for you. Do you want to join an already running group or start one from scratch? Do you want to be with people you know or with strangers? Do you want to have an organizing theme, such as finding a partner or accomplishing personal goals with group support? Or do you want an open format, where people can let down their hair and just connect? Each possibility has its pros and cons.
Most important, do you want yours to be an in-person group or a virtual group? By the latter, I mean a group that meets on the phone, so that members can call in from wherever they are. This kind of group can also easily set up a message board to communicate between meetings.
To start an in-person group, begin by talking to everyone you know about your interest in doing this. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Contact your local Women's Center to let them know your interest. They can help you get started. If you belong to religious organizations, ask whether they would sponsor you, if they don't already have a group like the one you're looking for. Chances are, if you're looking, so are others. The need is there.
To start a phone/online group, you can also begin by contacting friends and spreading the word. Many people over 55 live in more than one location over the year and would want to join a group that allows them to stay connected while moving around.
When I first joined a phone group, I wasn't sure I would like the lack of personal contact. After all, body language is an important part of communication. But I discovered that the human voice conveys a lot of emotion and is very individual. In some ways, talking with others over a distance makes it easier to be more open with thoughts and feelings.
And did you know that a group hug is possible and amazingly powerful over the phone?
Of course, establishing a structure that allows everyone to speak and educating members in phone etiquette help the process. Having someone who knows the ropes is useful to get started well. If you have specific questions, leave them here and I'll try to answer them in more detail.