Peer Groups, a unique benefit of TTN membership, bring together a group of members to address issues of mutual interest. It is one of many ways TTN members can, in an informal, interactive setting, support and encourage each other as they address their active search for a rewarding life during a time of change. Overall, peer groups help TTN members forge new bonds of connection and friendship through shared ideas, insights and interests, and explore new opportunities.
There are two types of Peer Groups:
· Transition Peer Groups, generally groups made up of 8 to 10 members, focus on general transition/rewiring issues for members who want to articulate, define, think through and manage change in their lives, whether it is leaving full-time work, dealing with post-employment issues or other major next-stage issues, such as use of time, new identity, separation from professional colleagues, making new friends, risk-taking, etc. Although participants can provide some support to a member confronting a crisis, Peer Groups are not "therapy groups" and cannot substitute for professional help
· Special Interest Peer Groups are topic or activity oriented and bring together members who share similar interests, activities or goals. These are as varied as our members who think them up. Among them are: book groups, travel groups, discussion groups, writers groups, business groups, singles groups, dining groups, fitness groups and chorus groups.
Opportunities in Nonprofits
Contact Terry Kozlowski at 800-401-0607 for further details. Theater and Dance in Chicago Theater and Dance are thriving in Chicago with a variety of local and visiting professional companies appearing regularly in the city. TTN's Theater and Dance lovers will sign up and purchase tickets knowing they will share the experience with TTN friends. For further information contact: Barbara Susin at 773-327-6335 or bsusin57@gmail.com. Planning Group (Western Suburbs) Here is an opportunity to join TTN Chicagoland women in the Western and Northwestern Suburbs to plan events and programs at venues convenient to them. For further information contact: Emma Kalaidjian at ekalaidj@hotmail.com or call 847-382-1144. Rewiring®/TransitionRewiring ® requires new life tools. Sharing insights and experiences provides support and empowerment as we face change that transitions bring. New friendships help us successfully navigate transitions and enrich our lives. Make new friends and have the opportunity to share open and honest conversation. For further information contact: Rachel Stempel at rachelpearl@comcast.net or 847-433-8094. * Rewiring, Rewirement and Rewire are trademarks of Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners and are used with their permission.Book Group (in Highland Park and Chicago)Do you like to read and discuss books? What is your passion; fiction, memoirs, biography, short stories? Our next book for discussion will be "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi in a member's home in Evanston on Tuesday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. For further information contact: Rachel at rachelpearl@comcast.net or 847-433-8094. Health and Wellness
We are excited to start up a new health and wellness Peer Group. We will be exploring topics of mutual interest including the latest research on healthy nutrition, preventive care, stress management, post-menopausal health issues and other health and wellness related matters of interest to the group. If you are interested in joining or learning more, please contact Emma at ekalaidj@hotmail.com or 847/382-1144.
If you have an idea for a special interest group and are willing to take the lead in forming it, we will publicize the formation of your group in our newsletters, help facilitate the initial meeting and provide any other assistance you might need along the way. To create a new group, please email us using the address below and submit a brief description of the group you wish to create, group purpose, location and prospective meeting times. TTNChicago@TheTransitionNetwork.org
Topics for Those Launching Peer Groups
If you are launching a general transition Peer Group, you might want to take a look at some of the topics and issues available here. They have proven to be useful ideas for stimulating discussions.
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