Initiating a Group

2007-12-20 05:49:00

Aryana writes:

"I'm new to the group. I've read most of the books over the past 7 years. Have a couple of questions: is there an online course about the relationship of molecules, etc. or just the book? And is there a place that J.J. Dewey is recommending for relocation for people who want more of a sense of physical community? Thanks so much."

JJ:

Welcome to the list Aryana.

The time of the physical gathering has not yet arrived but I would guess when the time comes that Boise will be a place of preparation. Right now I an neither encouraging or discouraging anyone from coming here, but it is a great place to live for anyone wishing to relocate. Eventually I will work with a local group here but have too much on my plate to work with a physical group at present.

Seekers can help prepare for the future by starting a local teaching group in their area. We recommend you call these Synthesis Groups and use it as an opportunity to teach some of the materials presented here as well as other items that may be of interest.

I believe that there are a number here who could successfully form local study groups and that many of you wish the group could be together on a physical level, but there is something within our reach which is just as good. No matter where you live there are seekers out there who are looking for knowledge that you have. When you gather a handful of them and meet on a weekly basis you'll have as good a camaraderie as we have here.

The great part is you do not have to be a teaching whiz. All you would have to do is throw out a few of the questions we discuss on this list and you'll have to chase them home. Many will be hungry for more.

[You may ask yourself the] Question: "Sounds good, but how does an amateur like me get started"?

Start with your friends. Most of us know at least a couple people with a metaphysical bent. Call them and tell them you are going to form a study group and study some new teachings you discovered on the Internet and see if they are interested. If you do not know anyone interested in metaphysics you probably need to get out more, but all is not lost. I am always here to support you with ideas.

First, select a place that will accommodate at least a dozen people. There is nothing wrong with starting with a home or apartment.

If your place is small it is quite possible that one of your first students will have a large comfortable home that they would be happy to share.

There are also some places that may allow you to meet on a free basis. Some libraries have rooms for meetings that are either free or very inexpensive. Also check with your bookstores. Some of them will let you have meetings there in hope of selling your group some books.

If you have a little money to work with you could find a meeting room connected with a local Motel, YMCA, New Age Center, Judo Club or some other organization and rent it on a weekly basis. If you do this you will need to collect some dues from members so you will not have to bear the whole burden. Once you get ten people or so the expense will not be much of a burden on any one individual.

Once you select a definite meeting place then you must do some promotion.

First let's cover the what you can do for free.

Many newspapers have sections that are totally free where you can announce on a weekly basis details about any weekly meetings your group may have. Call then up and see what they have available.
Local TV and Cable channels also have places for free announcements. Check them out.
Hold a press conference. Select a place like a room at the local, library and send an announcement to all the media - Newspaper, TV, radio in your area with an announcement that you are forming a local study group based on the book The Immortal about a guy who just may have met John the Revelator. In a typical area you should be able to send out about 20 announcements and get 2-5 responses. There's a good chance you would get on TV this way.
Print up flyers (or we'll print them for you) announcing your project and circulate them in book stores, metaphysical centers, health food stores and so on. We'll work up a master copy for you.
Newspapers love doing features that have something to do with the Internet. Call the features editor and tell him or her that you have been participating with a study group on the Internet and are going to extend it to the local people. Chat a while with this person and he may want to write about you.

Now you have exhausted the free methods you should spend a few dollars in regular advertising. Check around and see if there are any metaphysical newsletters in your area and run a small ad there. Then run a small display ad in your local newspaper. In addition to this the classifieds in the local free give-away advertisers are often very effective depending on the area and they are often very inexpensive - sometimes just a couple dollars a week.

If you start a group and need advice I would be happy to give you my two cents worth.