Online meetings

• Check the veteran status of new attendees - via waiting room chat or presentation of a white card in the zoom meeting. (breakout room can be used if confidentiality is required)

• Have backup internet line (e.g. tethering) or a second 'host' in case your line goes down

•  Welcome any new attendees and assure them by

  • Explaining this is a confidential meeting and they are safe to speak freely

  • They do not need to speak and that they can just listen

  • That you will invite them to speak if they'd like but only after others

  • That we are non political, religious, ideological; we're just peers looking after peers

  • Give them a quick overview of the steps: Intro > Welcome > Sharing > Break > Campfire

Confirm to all that:

• Meeting is confidential and that there is to be no recording of any kind

• Please place mobiles on silent or switch them off - be present for those speaking

• There is an expectation that attendees arrive on time to avoid delay or interruptions

• No sign-in required for ViDs participants. Only the LEAD facilitator should sign in.

1. This is a Rank-Free Zone – no rank titles, unit bragging, or hierarchy language.

2. Use first names only.

3. Confidentiality is mandatory – what’s shared here stays here.

4. No recording, sharing, or reposting of any content from sessions.

5. Discussions must avoid classified or operational details.

6. Respect everyone’s pace—listening is as critical as speaking.

7. Peer supporters are here to guide, not command.

8. Safety and well-being come first—speak up if you need support.

Typically read by an attendee.

"Welcome to our ViDs meeting.

Please join us as peers in making this a valued part of our lives. 

It has a different purpose to the rest of our lives.

Here, between the time we check in, and the time we check out, we give each other the opportunity to be heard, to be ourselves and, together, build hope.

These opportunities are rare.  Sometimes it can feel uncomfortable but we stay present with the process, and with one another.

Here, we really listen to each other. We give respectful attention. We do not interrupt, jump in or give advice.

We take responsibility by speaking only from personal experience. This helps us take ownership and to understand ourselves. 

Here, we don’t rescue or fix a person because we know that they are ok, or that in time, they will be ok.

Because we respect the group, we really show up for each other - on time, present, and sober (no drugs or alcohol).

What’s said in the room, stays in the room. We value privacy and invite each person to speak openly and with safety. 

At all times we are kind to ourselves and each other, recognising that we are all doing our best.

We are now about to mark one minute of silence to think about those who couldn’t be with us today. In a way, they are with and amongst us by occupying the ’empty’ chair.

Maybe they do not yet know that we are here to help them.

Maybe they cannot yet cope with reaching out for help.

Maybe they are no longer with us.

Maybe they are on the other side of their journey.

The empty chair is also an invitation to new members to join us.

Let's now take this minute to reflect on the empty chair.

[one min silence]

Thank you. We will now start our check in circle, pausing between shares 

and respecting that whoever has the rock, has the floor."

If more 2 facilitators and more than 10 participants, you might consider splitting into “breakout rooms”

The facilitator (or named attendee) will hand out the ‘virtual’ rock to signify who shares, one at a time.

Sharing is optional. If you’d rather not share, just say that when invited.

Allow the person sharing to do so uninterrupted; remain silent (muted) until it is your turn to share.

We have a respectful pause between sharers to consider what they said. Thumbs up to thank the sharer.

If you are a regular, maybe focus on what is happened for you since the last meeting.

If it’s your first time, feel free to share as long as you need and start with your name, kids names and ages.

10 minute break

Serves to:

• Allow the shift from heart to head space

• Attendee's to connect with each other

• Grab a cuppa, smoke or visit the loo!

Switch off cameras and mute yourself during the break

Use the time to think of questions / subjects for the 2nd half, and add them to the chat box

OPTIONAL - can bypass if you would rather just go straight into the campfire section

Typically, read by an attendee

“We have arrived at the 2nd Part of the meeting. Experience shows that the best outcomes are gained by having a positive focus, rather than negative collusive energy between attendees. 

Recognising  that the only thing I have control over is myself; not the system, nor past relationships, my children, nor even past behaviours – only my actions into the future, the second part of the meeting is for us to respectfully share relevant experiences to help each other move forward. 

We are not here to teach or advise, but to offer alternatives, to share wisdom, not anger. To keep ourselves level we watch the language we use, and build on our strengths, not our problems.”

The second half of the meeting is psycho-educational meaning, we are here to learn something from each other or, very occasionally, a guest expert. 

The facilitator should prompt and guide a general conversation that is free flowing and goes where the room wishes it to; within reason. We are not here to collude and be negative but to build on our own and others strengths. A great campfire is one where the facilitator says almost nothing at all but those the room take and build the discussion.

Occasionally, it's ok to get a guest expert in to run a workshop. To protect our attendees, these should be checked and confirmed with HQ to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.

Each take a turn sharing three pieces of information before nominating the next person to check out

1. One word (or very brief statement) how you felt coming into tonight’s meeting

2. One word (or very brief statement) how you feel now as the meeting comes to an end

3. One thing that you:

– Will take away with you that you have learned tonight, or

– Will focus on this coming week, ahead of the next meeting, or

– Are grateful for at this time.

Additional help:

• Telephone helpline on 1300 853 437 (daytimes, 7 days a week)

Other:

• Let others know that we’re here and that they can find safe/free support. 

• Feedback for head office - go to website under contact page

Facilitators:

• Meeting facilitators should take time to reflect on how they themselves are feeling

• Post a ‘debrief’ in the Telegram Debrief Room

• Be honest about how you are feeling. If you're feeling burned out or otherwise affected by the stories, reach out for assistance through your debrief or via helpline on  1300 853 437.