BellaOnline Forums Education Homeschooling best way to start a local support group?????

Does anyone have any great suggestions for starting a new, local, homeschooling support group? I'm currently in the process. I've made flyers and would like ideas on where to effectively post them for recruits. I have also started a Yahoo group called Diverse Homeschooling (the name of the group, of course). Any good suggestions for posting on the internet? The group is in the Flint area in Michigan.

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks
Alicia

Alicia,
This topic is near to me, I started a group from scratch about 6 years ago and it's now thriving. I was able to hand it over to new leaders last year, and I rest comfortable knowing the group is in good hands. Very rewarding!!

I tried the fliers thing and it just didnt go. The best was creating the yahoo group and then a website as well. You can buy a URL for less than $10 and have it point to a free webpage, such as a site you create at http://www.freewebs.com

If you look at http://www.midflhomeschoolers.com you can see what our website includes. We list some activities, our rules, a guide to homeschooling in florida, etc.

Once you get those up start putting your website in homeschool group directories. Email me the info and I'll put it up here. If you google "homeschool support groups" you'll find tons of directories you can be added to, and don't forget to be added with any state resource you have.

Expect to put a lot of time, work and emotion into the group. I wish I could say you could leave the emotions out, but you really cant.

Also, expect to be doing most of the work for quite a while. It took me around 3 years to get anyone else to host any event. It's taxing, but keep reminding people that if they want more they will have to help. Eventually someone will. Even now everything seems to be hosted by the same 6 or 7 people, but that's a lot better than 1 person doing everything.

Good luck!
Meg

Alicia-

Our public libraries have been very welcoming and helpful in this area. One library has great big rooms available which we reserve for large group activities, another has hosted support group meetings for parents. They tend to be very excited about having people who can use the library during the day, when most kids are in school. We've also used library and supermarket bulletin boards to advertise special events or post notices about who to contact to join our group.

Good luck to you!

Lorel

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I have a largely unvisited group started on yahoo groups for my county. I'm throwing out the honey, just no flies. I've posted on several mom sites (michiganmoms.com, other local meetup groups on meetup.com, several other, more far-reaching groups on yahoo groups, etc.). It's been 2 months and no takers. I did manage to attract a group of people 2 hours away that have hit it off quite well. How long should I give it before I know it's not working? Any other suggestions?

BTW, thanks lorel, I'll talk to our local libraries. I know that our county parks and cultural center work with groups as well. There are other hs groups here. Without honestly being able to sign a christian statement of faith, I am quite excluded from their activities - unfortunately.

Any tips on attracting people for an all-inclusive group/secular hs'ing?

Thanks