* It won't last unless you make reminder calls

    * Meet in a church at a time (evening) when other events are going on. You won't be a heating or cooling expense

    * You might covet large numbers. But five to seven is the best size

    * Older persons prefer late Saturday morning, so they don't have to drive at night.

    * Working mom/widows and widowers and people with children can't come on daytime, weekend meetings

    * Never call off a meeting. Always meet unless there is fresh snow or ice on the ground.

    * Don't meet weekly. If you meet bi-monthly or monthly, progress or backsliding is more apparent. Meeting too often tends to lock in earlier stages of grief so they become part of their personality.

    * If you're groups are too large, people leave having taken on other's burdens instead of unloading their own.

    * It's a good idea to alternate support group meeting weeks with a scheduled lunch/breakfast/dinner of current and past group members strictly for fun and to chat. This is especially good for older widows and widowers who are forming a social routine

    * Have literature to send or give to new visitors to the meeting.

    * Run an announcement of meeting times in all newspapers, buyer's guides, cable tv calendars, and local radio programs.

    * If a newspaper or radio doesn't run an announcement, don't call and be angry. Always be positive, but if they don't run them two or more times in a row, it's good to let them know that it matters to you. Having a member of the group call and speak for the group is a good idea.

    * Don't charge money. It's tacky, insincere and less healing. People in grief are not mentally disturbed, needing anything more than comfort and understanding.

    * Call people two days or one day before the meeting.

    * Meet in a room that is physically comfortable and not too dark or depressing. Make sure its not too cold, especially in the winter. Go early to set the thermostat so the room will be cold or warm enough when the meeting begins.

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