ADSHG Social Meeting Hosts - Running Safe Social Meetings

How to keep ADSHG social meetings safe

You can only run ADSHG Social Meetings if you are a current ADSHG member and a registered ADSHG Social Host. Please ask about becoming a host by getting in touch before you begin planning any meetings.

Social meetings can provide a valuable source of comfort and guidance for people with Addison's Disease. However, to ensure that these meetings are safe and supportive spaces, it's important to take certain precautions. Here are some tips for keeping support group meetings safe.

1. Set ground rules: Remind everyone of our ADSHG Social Meeting House Rules.

2. Ask for a member check: Contact Ops Support and check the membership status of any prospective attendees. This can help ensure that the group is composed of people who are genuinely seeking support and whose membership fee is contributing to the management of these meetings.

3. Remind attendees that anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Politely ask any unattended young people under the age of 18 to ask a parent or guardian to join them.

4. Choose a safe location: Choose a safe and private location for the meeting, preferably one with secure access and minimal distractions.

5. Have a plan for emergencies, health and safety: Make sure you complete the steps in our Social Meeting Health and Safety Checklist so you can avoid health and safety issues and can be prepared in case of emergencies, such as medical emergencies or a disruptive participant. Have the contact information of local emergency services readily available.

6. Be a supportive host: Following our ADSHG Social Meeting Supportive Hosting Checklist can help maintain order and prevent conflicts from escalating. They can also help ensure that everyone feels heard and supported.

7. Encourage feedback: Encourage participants to provide feedback on the meetings and any concerns they may have. This can help identify potential issues early on and address them before they become a problem.

8. Keep attendee data safe: Follow our ADSHG Social Meeting Host Admin Guide.

9. Keep the social meetings to in-person events, Zoom/Teams or ADSHG Forum. Whatsapp must only be used in certain circumstances.

You must read our Whatsapp Policy for Social Hosts before using Whatsapp as part of your social host volunteer role.

10. Follow local laws and regulations: Be aware of any local laws and regulations that may apply to support group meetings such as local covid restrictions, and ensure that you are complying with them.

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