| | Dear John: As promised last week, we've got another round of tips for virtual meetings, this time especially focused on facilitators. As always, we've got great opportunities for education and advocacy, and two live events this week to stay connected, safely, from home. | | | | | | Special Event: PFLAG National LIVE in conversation with the team from COWBOYS In writer/director Anna Kerrigan's beautiful film COWBOYS, a father (STEVE ZAHN) tries to liberate his young transgender son (SASHA KNIGHT) by taking him to Canada, but as a frustrated female detective spearheads an investigation, she discovers that the child’s family situation is more complicated than she thought. Join us for a live conversation with COWBOYS stars Steve Zahn and Sasha Knight, and writer/director Anna Kerrigan, live on our Facebook and YouTube channels this Sunday, February 21st at 8pm ET/5pm PT. Bring your comments and questions, and we'll take them live! | | | | | | Support Self Care for Virtual Meeting Facilitators Many facilitators of online meetings--especially volunteers leading PFLAG Connects online chapter meetings--are experiencing compassion fatigue. Learn more about it, and then check out some of our suggestions below to help combat it! - Take the load off facilitators by holding events that involve COVID-safe, out-of-meeting participation in place of virtual meetings. For example:
- A scavenger hunt around town where folks take creative pictures from their cars of local landmarks.
- Local activities already taking place like the placing of painted rocks around town, or finding rainbows, stars, and hearts in people’s windows.
- Taking photos in a place that demonstrates how your household lives the PFLAG mission; share with the group in the next meeting.
- Set tighter boundaries for meetings, including shorter meeting times.
- Consider having a cameras-off meeting. Ideal for groups with repeat attendees, be sure to set ground rules prior to the meeting that folks must commit to being present and attentive (as opposed to multi-tasking and doing chores while attending).
- If possible, split up responsibilities for facilitating meetings, with one person handling speaking/leading and another handling technology. Rotate responsibilities among leaders.
| | | | | | Advocacy Open Enrollment Starts Up Again, TODAY! People who missed open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance now have another opportunity to sign up, starting today, Monday, February 15th. President Biden signed an executive order last month creating an extra three-month enrollment period, where consumers can again shop for coverage on HealthCare.gov, the federal insurance marketplace, which serves three dozen states. Learn more from this helpful New York Times piece, and then advocate for your LGBTQ+ loved ones and their families, by letting them know they now have another three months to enroll! | | | | Something to Talk About...Live! Join PFLAG National live this Thursday, February 18th at 4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM for Something to Talk About Live. This week, we’re talking about "What the Golden Globe and SAG Awards Nominations Say About the Need for Further Discussions About Diversity," from Variety, by writers Angelique Jackson, Natalie Oganesyan, and Danielle Turchiano. You can watch us live on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and now on LinkedIn, too! For more information, including a link to this week's article and the questions, visit http://www.straightforequality.org/something-to-talk-about-live-february-18-2021. | | | | Remember: We're here to help. Find us all at pflag.org/about/our-people. Let’s stay safe, stay healthy--and stay connected. We're here for you,
Team PFLAG National | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
