Page 39 - 2016 Autumn-Winter Issue
P. 39
An Update from the Director of Chapter Services
by Terry Novy
The one-hour monthly Chapter Leadership conference calls The Chapter E-Newsletter
started in January 2016; to date we have hosted 17 calls. continues to be a productive
Alan Pedersen, Cathy Seehuetter and I participate on the resource for new Chapters and
calls. We have scheduled as many as three calls per night those who are new to a steering
to make sure that all times zones were covered. Now that committee. The Chapter
the calls are being recorded, we host only one call a month E-Newsletter is sent out twice a
rather than two or three. month; each issue reaches over
3,200 members in a Chapter
Attendance varies; our first call was the largest with 40 leadership role. TCF’s Executive Director Alan Pedersen,
participants. The conference calls are scheduled on different Cathy Seehuetter and I are the main contributors. However,
evenings each month so that the calls do not interfere with a we have had past and present board members who have
TCF meeting or steering committee meeting night. We have contributed as well. Our goal is to provide education to our
some members who have become regulars on the calls. For readers, offer Chapter resources and reminders as well as
those who cannot join us, the recording link and follow-up address any issues or concerns that we have received.
notes are listed on the closed Regional Coordinator’s and
Chapter Leadership’s Facebook pages the following day. On September 14th, our first Facilitators Training
Conference call with expert facilitator trainer Wendy
For some calls we have a topic, but mostly we answer Resnick took place. The one-hour calls are once a month.
questions and discuss Chapter issues. Alan always reiterates The calls are now being recorded and will be listed on TCF’s
that the National Office acknowledges that TCF’s members Leadership Website for members of leadership who are
in leadership are grieving too, as well as how much we unable to participate in the call. The largest attendance was
appreciate all they do for their Chapters. 35 members. All members of Chapter leadership are invited
to attend. If you have an issue at your monthly meetings or
The 20 closed Facebook Pages that TCF offers is currently you want to learn or fine-tune your facilitator skills, come
reaching over 17,000 bereaved parents, grandparents and join us! You will find the next facilitator training call posted
siblings daily and continues to grow. We could not have in advance on the Chapter Leadership Facebook page, as
predicted the success and the support that is so generously well as the Chapter Leadership E-Newsletter that goes out
shared by so many. This is just another opportunity for twice a month.
The Compassionate Friends to offer support outside the
monthly meetings. If you have not joined a closed Facebook The last Chapter Leadership Training Programs for
group that supports your loss or if you are in a place that 2016 will be presented on November 12th in Tecumseh,
you can offer support, visit https://goo.gl/HPRz7C. Michigan. My thanks to the presenters who facilitated
the 13 programs this year. Your participation has helped
The closed Chapter Leadership Facebook page continues educate, energize and provide help to the Chapter
to be one of the greatest resources that TCF has offered leadership that support our grieving families.
Chapter leadership. The seasoned members continually
share their experiences with the members new in I am so proud of our Regional Coordinator’s and Chapter
leadership. The questions that are asked by new members leadership; those who put their hearts and souls into
initiate conversations that provide helpful advice and supporting our grieving families. As a team, we are here to
prevent the team from constantly reinventing the wheel. offer you support, friendship and hope. Our promise to you
Thank you to all who daily contribute and reach out to help is “We Need Not Walk Alone”. Have a gentle holiday season.
your fellow Chapter leadership.
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