HOW WE GOT STARTED

u I had my PATH done last year, and it made a big difference in my life. u I achieved many of my goals, and

it was time to refresh my PATH. u I wanted to share my story with

other self-advocates, so I did a presentation at the Spectrum Society’s Managers Meeting.

u David Wetherow was presenting at the same meeting and we got to meet there.

u David, Aaron, Shelley, Barb Goode and I came up with the idea of a series of meetings. Aaron call them ‘salons’. u A ‘salon’ is when people gather to talk and learn and explore ideas

together. u We decided to invite a group of self-advocates and friends to learn

about hospitality, PATH and the Star Raft pattern for building circles

WHAT WE DID

u At our first big meeting, we invited Karla Verschoor, her daughter Lily and Barb Goode to help us make a plan for a year’s work.

u We brainstormed lots of ideas and then Barb and I quickly identified the most important ones.

WHAT WE DID

u We decided that we would meet once a month, and that each month would focus on a special theme or idea.

u We decided to invite guests from the community to each meeting. We wanted to see of people would come and talk with us as an experiment. Did people want to get to know us? We wanted new people and new ideas.

u We met once a month in a place where we could do creative work together

u We made sure that everyone felt welcome and that nobody went away hungry

u Aaron and Shelley facilitated PATHs for each member (two are scheduled soon)

u We blended PATH and the Star Raft (a new way of building circles)

u Dave attended each meeting and most of the PATHs on live video. He gave us pointers, trained is in building Star Raft circles and Solution Circles, and led several of our conversations.

u Aaron and Shelley took photos of the graphics, meetings and guests and posted many of them on Facebook.

u Each of us supported the others with ideas, connections, appreciation and encouragement.

u We now have our own page on Facebook. You can also see our progress on the www.101friends.ca website if you click on ‘Cheryl’s Star Raft Salons”.

HOW WE WORKED TOGETHER

u Each meeting had a pattern. Every time we met …. u Each person talked about what

they had been doing in the past month, especially after getting their PATHs done

u We practiced new skills u We helped each other solve

problems u We suggested new places that

people might explore

u Each meeting had a theme. We talked and learned about ….

u Hospitality and making people

feel welcome u Moving from ‘activity’ to

connection u Building our personal circles u Getting through tough times u Starting a small business

u And we learned about ….

u Building strong personal support networks

u Toastmasters Clubs and becoming stronger presenters

u How supported employment works in California at Jay Nolan

u The art of hosting

u Each meeting had a guest. We met with … u John Anderson and Jon

from Toastmasters u Ellen Walker, a researcher

from Australia u Sasha Stone, a

consultant in business and marketing

u Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift, on advocacy

u Jewel Hopkins

WHAT WE DISCOVERED u People became more open with their feelings and more confident u The group became closer, and we missed people when they

couldn’t be there u People were amazed when they got their PATHs done u Friends, family and community partners are willing to pitch in and

help out when they see what is on our PATHs

WE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT …

u There are many places in the community where our gifts and contributions will be welcomed

u How important it is to connect with people in the larger community, and when we do this, people will say “Yes!”

u We need to be ‘on purpose’ about expanding our personal circles.

A BIG DISCOVERY WAS THAT …

u Not one single person or group that we’ve invited to visit us has said “no”.

u In fact, people have changed their schedules around so they could meet with us even when they didn’t quite understand what they were coming for.

u People want to know us!

WE ARE GETTING RESULTS! u Everyone who has gotten their PATH done has started to

accomplish their goals. Individual members are … u Traveling and presenting u Engaging friends and family members in finding business

opportunities and job leads u Becoming more active and getting healthier u Saving money u Setting boundaries and realizing that we can’t do it all – so we

are focusing on what we really want.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO NEXT

u We want to pay it forward!

WHAT WE WANT TO DO NEXT

u We want to:

u Become more effective speakers u Connect with more community

groups like Toastmasters u Make real contributions to our

own communities

WHAT WE WANT TO DO NEXT

u We want to:

u Help facilitate PATHs u Help facilitate Solution Circles u Strengthen our own circles u Help people invite friends, family

and community partners into their personal circles

HONOURING OUR SPONSORS u We especially want to thank

the people who sponsored our work:

u The Community Living BC Safeguards Initiative,

u The BC Gaming Fund, and

u Spectrum Society for Community Living