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Kathy, and "All"..... I've been receiving SO many terrific suggestions... really valuable ones... on how to get the word out about a new PD support group. Most can be easily implemented, too - a must when there's limited "on" time each day to follow up and get things done. After some thought, I can see the value in getting one or two volunteers to initiate and maintain contacts within the greater community (I live in Los Angeles, and this is one HUGE city!) on a regular basis. The hospital that's sponoring the support group DOES have their own ad agency that apparently IS contacting local newspapers to add our group to their "Daily Adgenda" sections, but when I called 'em to see WHICH newspapers they're notifying, they didn't want to tell me because they saw me as some kind of competition for their job! I had to do some fast verbal tap dancing around 'em to let them know I wasn't looking to put them out of business - just didn't wanna be redundant in getting the word out about the new group. It'd be nice if the ad agency's full resources were available to me, but it's not, so I'm forced to be creative and that's where YOU all have come in, Thanks a lot to EACH of you who've come thru when I posted asking for your suggestions - ya are SUCH a supportive and original group!!! Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Kathy Kunz Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 1998 9:04 AM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: Getttin' PWPs into the PD Community Barb Mallut-- We're a much smaller community than yours--<100,000---but when we started our support group we used several avenues you might explore. 1. Contact the neurologists in your area and see if they keep a list of support groups you can be added to, or are willing to have you put some fliers or a notice up in their waiting rooms. 2. Put a notice/flier on the bulletin board of the local YMCA and YMHA; local supermarkets and drugstores, especially, that have bb's are another target for fliers. 3. We have a senior center and not only put a notice up there but talked to the director so that she could help steer newbies our way. 4. Each founding member and succeeding member was urged to mention the group; whenever they heard of a prospect: "PD? Oh, yes, Uncle Charlie has that." "Does he? Tell him that there's a new support group in town and we'd love to have him come--tell him to call me for info or if you don't think he'd come alone, bring him to our next meeting." Our director, a fellow PD veteran of 10 years, is not shy; he goes up to strangers in the supermarket that he's sure have PD, introduces himself and invites them to the next meeting. My friends, who know of my connection, steer people to me when they meet someone newly diagnosed or new to town. We've gotten lots this way. Good luck in recruiting! Kathy Kunz 5. I'm sure you've tapped into the community calendars in the local papers; we also make sure our mtgs are listed in the different neuro newsletters put out by OKC's Mercy Hospital, OUMC, etc.