Meeting Guidelines

General guidelines for the meetings
Everyone will get 10-15 minutes of talk time (depending on how many people are present) and straight after a person has finished talking, everyone can ask questions for about 5 minutes. Then we go to the next person. Write down your questions while someone is talking to minimize interruptions.

The meetings are usually about 2 hours long and include a short break for mingling.

Confidentiality agreement
At the support group meetings we request complete confidentiality. This is for the benefit of all. What is said within the group stays within the group. If something feels specifically important to share outside this room, do not mention any names. For everyone to feel safe in the group it is a necessary measure.

How we talk
It's easy to forget the guidelines for how we talk in the meeting so here's a reminder.

1. Don't give advice unless it is specifically asked for.
2. Instead share your experience, for example: "I had back pain and what I did was…"
3. Don't try to solve someone else's problem.
4. Listen.
5. Wait for your turn to share.
6. Stick to the topic of the meeting.

The meetings are about sharing and giving support only.

Attendance
We all know how difficult it is to get a chance in our busy lives to go to a support group meeting. Between our struggling with endometriosis, spending time with family and friends, and making a living, it can be a challenge to attend meetings regularly.
It is perfectly fine to attend meetings sporadically but the more you come the closer relationships you are able to create. Also remember that even if a specific subject does not interest you so much, your presence at a meeting may help others. You may have an experience or a specific knowledge that will really make someone else's life easier. Another time, you may be the one to benefit from what you hear someone else say. Know that it has been scientifically proven that people who are active in a support group have much better medical outcome than people who are not part of a support group. The more help you give and receive, the better your health will be!