MEETING VIA SKYPE CONFERENCE - **MON JANUARY 26th, 2009** JOIN US!!!
(See Calendar below for more info)
This is the location where meetings by Skype or Forum will be announced.
Skype is an online FREE video conference call program. You can learn more about it by visiting Skype's homepage through the link below. When you have yourself added, contact us at ontarioradfamilies@gmail.com to get our Skype I.D. name and we will all be able to connect to each other.
Sure, we may not be able to have in-person meetings due to distance at this time, however, we can have online meetings where we can see and meet each other, in the comfort of our own homes, when our child(ren) are tucked into bed or otherwise engaged in their rooms, and we can sit back with some chocolate and our favourite drinks to chat with friends who understand.
Once we have connected with other parents, extended family, respite workers, etc, who want to be involved, we will endeavour for meetings twice a month, or more if we agree it's necessary. We're open to suggestions!
Meeting Structure:
The first part of the meeting will be devoted to everyone getting a chance to express their own personal concerns or vent over their everyday issues. Since we cannot pass any kind of "talking stick" around, we will utilize a coffee mug, glass, pop can or other improvised tool that is convenient, visible in the web cam to let others know it is our turn. The moderator(s), which will be Judy or Heather, will chair the meetings. The moderator will time each persons turn - approximately 5 minutes will do depending on the number of participants. The person who wants to speak next will raise their hand so it is visible in the webcam and the moderator(s) will acknowledge this and indicate who is next in turn. The final part of our online support meetings is for sharing the good things such as useful parenting strategies or new ideas, books, etc...It's also a good opportunity for parents to obtain suggestions from each other about strategies they have found successful with their own child(ren). We will endeavour to end each meeting on a high note. |