Glad to hear people are interested. I think everyone could benefit from such a group (more honest sharing is always better), though as I wrote, the biggest benefit would be for the silent lurkers as an introduction to connecting. The silent lurkers are unfortunately not piping up and letting me know if they would conceivably join such groups.  

Sounds like people are suggesting volunteers form a vaad as a trial run. I don't think it be'etzem needs a trial - it's a pretty simple extension of calling people on the phone... The chiddush is applying it as a formal "program" for everyone, and then volunteers (who will inevitably be the type of guy who is already calling people) won't show much about the success of the program. That being said, I'm happy to help coordinate a trial vaad once the idea gets clarified a little.

Any suggestions about the toichen/format/setup of the groups?

The only real issue I have with it, is what do we eat?

redfaced wrote on 25 Jun 2024 15:32:

Popcorn, of course!

I also think its a great idea. 
Ive been here for years and really have no spoken to more than 2-3 people once or twice. 
I would love the oppurtunity to meet and talk with more folks on here, and I believe it can and will have a huge benefit for fellow strugglers. 

One idea of a topic is to work on the F2F program together, there are so many amazing tools on there. It would be a much more powerful tool if worked together with other people. 

I wonder if you could build off of this structure that is already in place for making private groups through GYE?
GYE private online groups (guardyoureyes.com)

BenHashemBH wrote on 25 Jun 2024 19:21:

Interesting. I never knew those existed. Anyone in those groups wanna share if they took off?
The ikar is having personal connection - which posting online cannot really do, even in a closed forum. But it might be a nice idea if each group got a private forum.

And another thing I never knew existed: an in person F2F group. Maybe we could adapt whatever program they do for the vaadim. Though I imagined it as less structured than "working through a program". More like just reading and talking about a text and sharing.

The post says that the groups were moderated, so perhaps chaim@guardyoureyes.org could provide insight on how it developed (or didn't).

A nice simple melava malka in someone's house would be great - real live interaction. Exchange of ideas. Chizuk and tips how to help each others and newcomers. Slight technicality - we have chevra living on every continent (besides Antarctica....)

Hashem Help Me wrote on 25 Jun 2024 20:44:

Totally! I'd be open to hosting.

Heeling wrote on 26 Jun 2024 02:31:

For this?!?!?!?
Of course I'm flying in!!!!!!!!

proudyungerman wrote on 26 Jun 2024 03:35:

Are you the only one in Antarctica?

or a nice bbq now in the summer when most of the wives are away and wont ask too many questions.

HHM, are you ready to start choosing people for the first meeting? 

for some reason my streak is showing up in the forums as 15 days! 

There is a glitch. nobody freak out. 

chancy wrote on 26 Jun 2024 16:39:

I have the same thing....