12 Face-to-Face Meetings by December 31, 2009. We Can Do It!

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bgh
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12 Face-to-Face Meetings by December 31, 2009. We Can Do It!

I'd like to challenge 12 OLGA members around the world, one for each month, to seek wisdom from their Higher Power about whether this is their year to start a face-to-face chapter in their community. It's a huge leap of faith, but one we must take if we're going to reach suffering gamers and their loved ones where they live.

There just might be someone on the OLGA forums who lives not too far from you. I'm so grateful to see people taking leadership with more chat meetings; let's take the next step together. We can do it!

-Brad

The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.
-Alfred Lord Tennyson
____________________________________

Tonya
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Well, Wichita has a pretty

Well, Wichita has a pretty strong recovery community here, I think I might be able to give it a shot, at the least I might try poking my nose arround to see if there are any other people in recovery with a gaming problem. Im wondering if maybe putting up some flyers in treatment centers would work... any idea's on how to find gamers with problems? Back in the day, the founders of AA were able to call doctors and lawyers, hospitals and churchs to find drunks, but, finding gamers who have a serious problem might be a tad trickier... would be a good thing to discuss for doing active 12 step work.

"...pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization..."

Nick_Hansen
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In order to find the gamer,

In order to find the gamer, you have to know what they are looking for. If they know they need help and they are looking around, they have already probably found this website. If not then advertising for online gaming addicts help would be a good idea. If they don't want to admit they need help, they are still gaming. For these people I would suggest advertising the consequences of excessive gaming, asking questions that get them asking themselves if they are playing too much. For these people we want them to realise that they are playing too much, and need help. I would think that the best way to finding them would be online, because thats where they spend most of their time. Here is a couple of ways to find them: 1. Internet Ads 2. Improve google search rankings for all key words related to online gaming. 3. Talk to moderators of gaming communities, I'm sure they're worried about a few of their members taking gaming too seriousely. 4. Jump on gaming forums and open the discussion up. (there is literally thousands of them) Hope that helps Tonya

Nick

'However your life seems now, is only how it appears today. It will be different tomorrow and further into the future. Things change, people change, you change, your perfect future is waiting for you,... now tell me all about it...every detail.....'

picklednoodles
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Olga as an entity remains

Olga as an entity remains neutral in all circumstances, and does not make advertisements or offer support/affiliation of any kind. People come to us by word of mouth or researching about the topic. Posting flyers about a local chapter's existence is just about as far as you could go with media and follow our 12 traditions at the same time. You may want to take a look at them. That being said, if a separate entity was to make PSA's about the risks of gaming, you can be sure that everyone here would be overjoyed about it. We all would like gaming addiction to receive more media attention, but Olga simply is not the organization to do it.

"Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win." -Jonothan Kozol

jakholiday
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Hi i'm from New York and

Hi i'm from New York and i've been trying to get permission to create a new 12 step group (GAA - Gameaholics Anonymous) but they told me I should come here. I want to start face to face meeting but I'm not sure how. Please advise, or email jakholiday86@gmail.com

You can start a new day any time!

gsingjane
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Go to the "blue" "meetings"

Go to the "blue" "meetings" tab (underneath the main heading for the site) and read the material entitled "starting a chapter in your area." This should give you very good, specific information about what to do next. Good luck!

Jane in CT

wes87bar
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Thank you, thank you, thank

Thank you, thank you, thank you to OLGA for the support and encouragement you've me in starting the Washington DC chapter. We are still tiny (we are getting about 3 people each week) but the benefits I have already received from starting a FTF meeting are enormous. It's wonderful to be able to look others in the face and say, without shame, "I am a gaming addict" and to know that someone else in the world truly understands. I have learned so much from the meetings already. The power of a FTF fellowship is undeniable.

I would be happy to provide any help, support, and encouragement to anyone else who wants to start a FTF group, or just even relate my experience with doing it so far.

John of the Roses
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O ne thing the Olganon Board

O ne thing the Olganon Board of Directors has to place in motion is a weekly online meeting which would address setting up a F2F meeting and keeping those established within a support from World Services, meeting the needs as they pop up.

Barb, would you be willing to be a part of this kind of online meeting? We were thinking about having it on Wednesday or Thursday nights. Would either of those nights be good for you, say around 7 pm est or thereabouts?

No lie, we will have more meetings establish themselves this year (2010). And there will be times that meetings will need support from this site, the Fellowship in general & from World Services. A weekly or even Bi-monthly support & development online meeting open to all interested could be the lifeblood that could mean the difference between a meetings survival.

Any thoughts?

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone

wes87bar
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I would be glad to

I would be glad to participate. Wednesdays are better for me; I can't do Thursday evenings at all

LaurelS9
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I would like to

I would like to participate. My problem is that I work every other Wednesday night...don't have a day I'm always off. Could it be an every other week meeting?

John of the Roses
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An every other week meeting

An every other week meeting would be great, because I am into a denial for strict commitments, other than for my NA homegroup, which meets on tuesday nights. The three of us could definately create a sound resource for those interested in or planning a F2F Olga meeting. I am trying to muster the courage to start one in my area, but I am so chicken, so this will be good for me too.

Whats a good date to start an every other wednesday meeting in January?

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone

LaurelS9
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Wednesday, 1/6 is my

Wednesday, 1/6 is my Wednesday off :)...and then every other Wednesday after that.

wes87bar
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1/6 works for me too. 

1/6 works for me too.

John of the Roses
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Great, I will post the

Great, I will post the meeting soon.

Excited.

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone

bgh
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Well, the year ends and we

Well, the year ends and we can take a quick look at where we are:

-Weekly meetings in Washington, DC

-Info and referral, with an eye toward getting the group meeting regularly in London, Ontario

-Salt Lake City? What's going on there? Is there a provisional chapter?

The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.
-Alfred Lord Tennyson
____________________________________

bgh
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Well, the year ends and we

Well, the year ends and we can take a quick look at where we are:

-Weekly meetings in Washington, DC

-Info and referral, with an eye toward getting the group meeting regularly in London, Ontario. OLGA is now listed with an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as a resource for addicted gamers and their loved ones.

-Salt Lake City? What's going on there? Is there a provisional chapter?

The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.
-Alfred Lord Tennyson
____________________________________

gsingjane
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I am proceeding with plans

I am proceeding with plans to initiate a FTF meeting for anons in my area, shoreline CT. One wrinkle... there has been a notice in the local paper for several weeks now, indicating that a support group for the loved ones of computer addicts is forming, and giving a phone number to call (no mention of OLGA, of course). I've called the number, just saying I'm interested, and left messages, but no response so far. I wonder what's up with that? The recording doesn't say much, it just sounds like somebody's house recording. I am hoping to at least touch base with the person, see if we can join forces or what exactly is happening...

Jane in CT

gsingjane
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Well, I talked with her last

Well, I talked with her last night and it was sort of an odd conversation. She is the mom of an addicted gamer and is trying to reach out to others for support... and I was the first person who has responded, so she's on the verge of giving up. I guess I got put on the defensive immediately, when I told her about OLGA, and she said that she doesn't "waste time on internet sites." The idea is that, if you're going to encourage kids not to waste time playing, not to waste time on the internet yourself... which I totally get, except that nowadays, it IS one of the primary ways people connect. With the other support group that I run, about 90% of everybody comes to us, at least initially, via the computer. I think if you decide not to use it as a means of reaching people, it's going to be awfully tough.

She had to run out, so we left things hanging... the question I have is, should I go ahead with plans to start an OLGA chapter anyway, even though there hasn't been any response to the newspaper ad? I know that there are many more efficient ways to let people know about the chapter, but I'm also wondering if this means there aren't enough people out there, or whether it will be a problem with this individual right off the bat. Why is everything so complicated!

Jane in CT

LaurelS9
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I was toying with the idea

I was toying with the idea of going to campus and putting up flyers announcing an OLGA meeting. Would need to get permission, I guess, and then maybe pass several days waiting for responses. Also, was thinking of contacting the social services part of campus to see if the counsellors there know of any addicted gamers that would be interested in recovery. And...then, maybe blog on the local web news that the meeting is starting. Who know. Maybe RL people will show up and keep coming back. I'm not ready to do any of this yet, but the desire to pass on this wonderful recovery is in my heart.

wes87bar
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It's not easy to get the

It's not easy to get the word out in a manner that is consistent with our traditions. Also, it takes a lot of time to locate where to put flyers, get permission, put them up, etc. etc. Especially when it's just one person trying to get the group off the ground.

I have found that having the link to the information right here on the site (Thanks OLGA board and JamesW!), using meetup.com, and posting flyers at venues that host other 12 step meetings so far has been the most effective.

I have been told that the guy who started Debtors Anonymous sat in a room by himself for something like 54 weeks before anyone showed up. Today it is a national organization with meetings all over the country.

I think that anyone who starts an OLGA chapter has to be prepared for long stretches of time where he or she may be the only person who shows up. I fully expected to sit alone for many months before seeing anyone show. Luckily, I only did that for the first week - since then, we've had an average of 3 people show up for the meetings. And we've had others show interest who haven't yet made it to the meeting. It may be that some stay, others may go, but I feel confident that slowly, with time, we will grow. It may also be that as we increase our membership, others could help me get the word out. But you know, we do the best we can, and our efforts will pay off one way or another!

LaurelS9
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Congratz on your effort,

Congratz on your effort, Barb! I think that gaming addiction is a growing heath concern and you're doing a good service.

wes87bar
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Thanks, Laurel!  Sure wish

Thanks, Laurel! Sure wish you were close enough to DC to be able to join us!

LaurelS9
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Ah, but in time, I'll make

Ah, but in time, I'll make that trip!

lisefrac
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I feel like I definitely

I feel like I definitely want to help with setting up FTF meetings in the Massachusetts area, but I feel limited by the fact that I've never managed to make an online meeting (through no one's fault but my own, of course!) I've been working the steps and finding them helpful, but meetings are one area I've neglected.

wes87bar
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I cannot tell you how

I cannot tell you how significant live FTF meetings are. The power of the group is undeniable. There is nothing like hearing other gamers look you in the eye and tell you that they 'get it.' Today we had 5 people attend the DC group, and it was a really great meeting. I'm very grateful for the group we had today.

I would encourage anyone who wants to kick their recovery into the next level to get out there and start a new FTF group! The OLGA board was very helpful, and I can share my experiences in starting the group if you like.

John of the Roses
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http://www.olganon.org/?q=nod

http://www.olganon.org/?q=node/19079

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone

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