Parkinson's Foundation

Website with additional support group leader resources: https://www.parkinson.org/Living-with-Parkinsons/Resources-and-Support/Support-Groups 

Parkinson's Foundation Support Group Guide: https://www.parkinson.org/sites/default/files/attachments/SupportGroupGuide_121917_spreads.pdf 

Website with additional leadership resources: https://www.leadership-toolbox.com/ 

• offer information on the disease itself
• arrange for guests speaker
• facilitate thematic discussions
• provide a safe space for open dialogue for members to share their experience living with the disease
• develop comradery among the group
• educational symposium
• research studies
• upcoming webinars
• awareness of events that are happening around the state 

• "**Expose your group to a wide variety of speakers/experts who can speak to the many aspects of life with Parkinson’s Disease. Always leave time for Q&A.    **Collaborate with other group leaders in your area regarding speakers/experts who are available and who did a great job in their presentation. Maintain a list of the best ones to share and/or invite back.   **Protect your group from hard sale tactics. Speakers should just leave their contact information for those who might have further interest.   **Ask for help from within your group for tasks such as email communication, social events and co-leading the group.   **Try to always end each meeting on a positive note and with a sense of hope." Wendall Woodall, Support Group Leader Charlotte, NC

• "Set a time and day of the month, and be consistent. Be sure to send reminder e-mails of upcoming meetings and topics, and it's always nice to have a little "re-cap" e-mail afterwards, sharing upcoming meeting dates and any other news to share. And, don't worry about "the numbers"....just the people! It doesn't matter if there's 5, 10 or 15 in the group, what matters is that you're sharing with a community of people who understand each other and can relate to one-anothers life with Parkinson's!" Faye Maloney, Support Group Leader Denver, NC

For those who are looking for a little more support, we would recommend you reach out to your regional or state wide Parkinson’s Affiliations, and ask if you can connect, pair, or shadow another leader for a time.