3. List facilitation: guiideline of the day

[Guest guest]

(A portion of the guidelines to the WTO groups are sent out each day because

all together they can be rather overwhelming. They are sent to all lists in

approximate order of what is important and are not making any comment on any

particular message on any one of the WTO groups. Please note our guidelines

have developed over the years by the group as a whole to meet situations that

come up again and again. Before you post, you must agree to try to read and

try to meet them. If you have any questions, comments, or feelings you wish

to voice about the guidelines, please write to at bear454us@...

or RandiBPD@.... Thank you!)

First, understand the role of the facilitators. We are here to help you

re-create your own sense of reality and guide you through the pitfalls. We

try to resist the urge to " rescue " others on the list while offering

validation, suggestions, education, information, and our own personal stories.

If you have never been on an Internet support list, we think you will like

it. You can access it any time (not just Tuesdays from 7-9 pm), they're

totally anonymous, you can save insightful posts, journaling helps, and you

can get support from strangers and be in a ratty bathrobe at the same time!

Many people find that these lists become a lifeline and that members become

important friends.

I. LIST FACILITATORS ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT

List facilitators give information and support, help members take back

control of their own lives, and make the WTO lists a safe place. You can

reach them by sending an email to WelcomeToOz-owneregroups. Please

specify which list(s) you're on. DO NOT USE THIS ADDRESS TO SEND LIST MAIL.

(Note: unfortunately, due to list volume (more than 1,000 subscribers)

facilitators cannot provide therapy, technical assistance, or answer private

therapeutic questions. Please post your BPD questions to the list; many

people will be there to provide assistance and help you.)

Our facilitators are:

MSW. (aka Bear) is a therapist with 15 years of experience.

He has worked in private practice, hospitals, addiction treatment centers and

even prisons. BPD and the other personality disorders have been a long-term

interest of his. He has been on lists as a participant and a facilitator.

has taught social sciences on the college level and has worked as an

alcohol and drug consultant to two colleges and one university. says,

" I look forward to sharing the lists with people who are working to

understand BPD. " Jim cannot and will not provide therapy on the list, however

he can provide information in a supportive and helpful way.

* Randi Kreger: Randi has cowritten one book and three booklets about BPD,

with another book on the way. Stop Walking on Eggshells is in its sixth

printing with a total print run of 25,000 Non-BPs. Randi founded the first

Non-BP lists, gives seminars across the USA for clinicians and laypeople. She

was a presenter at two Non-BP gatherings. In addition she is a PR and

marketing consultant with 18 years of experience

* : is not a facilitator but what we call a " pointer " --someone

who brings to the attention of the facilitators anyone who needs help or a

situation that needs to be attended to and helps with many behind the scenes

details.

* Many other people who have been here a while also help on an informal

basis. We're a friendly bunch. If you have a question, ask! We reserve the

right to be regular people, to make mistakes, and to try to correct them when

we do so. Please remember we are volunteers. Our payment is seeing the lists

run smoothly and watching people get out of them what they need.

Randi Kreger

List owner, Welcome To Oz Lists

Coauthor, Stop Walking on Eggshells

Love and Loathing, Hope for Parents

www.BPDCentral.com