by Judith Campanaro

Created on: April 24, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

Not only do New Age support groups provide an excellent means of meeting new friends, but they are a great networking opportunity and ways and means of sharing ideas and concepts.

One simple way of starting a group is to have one main speaker at each monthly meeting. Topics provided by the speakers can vary according to the interests of the group. A good venue might be the community room in an apartment complex. Usually if one of the members lives in the complex there is no charge for the room. There can still be a $5.00 charge to cover refreshments and door prizes. It might even be fun, if any of the members are physics, to allow one question per person. Then after the meeting if anyone wants a longer reading they can pay the physic for their services.

Other venues might include the classroom of a bookstore, getting together in each other's home or even a monthly field trip exploring different New Age activities in the community.

How about a pot luck? The members can take turns hosting. A topic can be chosen for the meeting in advance with each member bringing input or the monthly host can provide the subject for the evening, whether it be a craft, a guest speaker or even the use of the Native American talking stick.

Another way of starting a group is to meet for lunch once a week. But don't be fooled. Just because it's lunch doesn't mean the group isn't structured. Here's how the luncheon concept works: The leader of the group secures a meeting room from a local restaurant. The group meets at that same restaurant on a weekly or monthly basis. There is a $5 charge to attend if you don't eat and if you choose to eat lunch is $15 which includes the attendance fee. Upon arrival each person puts their name or business card in a basket. After lunch, there are two ten minute speakers who also bring the door prizes. The speakers for the next meeting are drawn from the basket at the end of the meeting as are the winners of the door prizes. Before the meeting is dismissed each person in attendance is allowed one minute to talk about his/her New Age business. There is also a table for fliers, announcements and business cards.

Regardless of the format of your group, getting together is a great way to feed your soul. Sharing with others provides inspiration, joy and personal growth in many healthy ways.

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