ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES 

Confidentiality

We believe that Confidentiality is paramount in all the work that we do. Your group facilitator will go into further detail about confidentiality at the start of group. Here are some things that you can do to ensure confidentiality for yourself and other group members:

• Find a private and quiet space where you will be participating.

• Do what you can to avoid interruptions from others in your home.

• Wear headphones if possible, to ensure that you don’t have to raise your voice to be heard and that no one in your    home will hear what others are saying.

• There is absolutely no audio or video recording or photographing of the group or group members.
 

 Preparing for Group

• Feel free to bring or do something with your hands, such as a pen and notepad, coloring materials, your knitting, etc. to group! Any handouts or resources mentioned will be emailed either before or after group.

• Have a glass of water or other (non-alcoholic) beverage with you when group starts or during the group is in session.

• We recognize that the group is being held during what for many of us is dinnertime. Please feel free to bring a snack or even a meal; we just ask that you mute yourself when eating, as we want to avoid distractions as much as possible.
 

 Using Zoom

• Have your video on at the start of group.
• Mute your microphone when you are not speaking to minimize background noise.

• Choose a space in your home that is close to a wired or wireless internet connection if possible. This will prevent freezing and lagging over Zoom.

• If you are not familiar with Zoom, try to login with a free account to familiarize yourself with its features.

• When logging in to Zoom, use your first name and the first initial of your last name (example: Adam A).

• When setting up your Zoom window, try to focus your head and shoulders. This way we will be able to see body language.
 

 “Arriving” for Group

• We ask that you login 5-10 minutes before the start of group. This will ensure that if you have any issues logging in you will be able to fix and connect when group starts.

• You will be placed in a “waiting room”, the facilitator will let you in once it is time to start the group.

• If you are more than 15 minutes late after the start of group, the facilitator may not let you in unless you have spoken with the Coordinator in advance.
  

 During Group

• Feel free to give yourself an “audio only” break as needed over the course of the group.

• Be respectful of group members and the facilitator. Everyone has different values, experiences, and resources and are coming to the group seeking support. You may not agree with a choice or view of another group member but remember the objective of this group is mutual support and encouragement.
• Give others time to share.
• Try to minimize distractions and interruptions, make arrangements for possible interruptions that may draw you away from group.