Bi+ Ireland Peer Support Group via Zoom

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Welcome to the Bi+ Ireland Peer Support Group. This monthly meet will be a safe space to discuss things related to being bi+. For privacy reasons, we ask you to fill out this form if you wish to participate. On the day, we will send you an email containing the link and password to join the meetup, if you don’t receive it by 12pm please pm us. ​

What is the Bi+ Ireland Peer Support Group?
This monthly meeting will be a safe space to discuss things related to being bi+/non-monosexual/non-monochromatic. 
 
The aim is to have a monthly video call on the third Saturday of each month. The peer support group will give members the opportunity to ask questions, look for advice or simply vent about bi+ issues that affect them directly or the community at large. The group will be a confidential, safe(r) space.
 
There is no pressure to attend every session. Feel free to attend when it suits you. Some months you may need it more than others. Of course, in between zooms we can talk about these same topics in our Facebook Group or Discord Server. This zoom group is not a means to replace all the valuable advice the wider community can offer on social media. If you would like to join our discord or Facebook group please pm Bi+ Ireland.         
                                       
How will the Bi+ Ireland Peer Support Group Run?
This format is inspired by two other peer support groups (with some changes), but we can adjust it over time to best suit Bi+ Ireland. 

• (aim to be every) Third Saturday of the month
• 1-hour session
• Participants will “raise their hand” to speak, the host will then call on you to speak. This will help prevent us from talking over one another. The “raise hand” function is in Zoom reactions. Please see the photo below or check out this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGTcTAcUZ8. 
• As always people will be welcome to type in the chat and the host can read these comments out loud.
• When the host opens the floor 
  • a member will then raise their hand to ask a question, look for advice or rant, etc
  • They will say if they want feedback from the group or not
  • The group can then raise their hand to speak
  • The host will call on people to speak, giving their feedback
  • This format will be repeated with each new question, advice search or rant, etc.
• And as long as you approach the group in good faith there will be no judgement for what you ask or say.
• Everything said must stay confidential amongst the participants of that particular meet. ​

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On a phone or tablet, click on more. Then click raise hand. Follow these same steps to lower your hand. -------------- On a laptop, click on Reactions. Then click raise hand. Follow these same steps to lower your hand.

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What to Expect from a Bi+ Ireland Zoom
Whatever you feel most comfortable doing, is what you should be doing. This zoom, like all Bi+ Ireland events, is there for the enjoyment and comfort of our members and that means different things to different members but each is valid.
 
The support group is open to all adults under the Bi+ Umbrella. 
 
If multiple people from the same household are participating, you could all, of course, join us on the one video call.
 
First time going to a Bi+ Ireland Meetup? Not yet a member of our lovely online community group? Feel free to send us a message and our volunteers can add you to the group and look out for you on the day.
 
First time using Zoom and you're nervous? PM Bi+ Ireland and if possible someone will arrange a quick Zoom with you where you can test the different features you may need e.g. turning the camera and mic on and off, raising your hand and typing in the chat function. 
 
For the purpose of this event, we will be hosting it over Zoom.
We will be using a paid version of Zoom so there is end-to-end encryption on the call. A link to the zoom meeting and its password will be sent on the day. You are not required to download Zoom onto any device as you can access the meeting through any web browser. Nor do you have to sign up to zoom.
 
Important to Note

• Each meet is an hour long.
• Like all Bi+ Ireland events, this event puts consent first and foremost, you can choose if you have your mic and camera on or not, at any point.
  • You can type comments as well/ instead of using your voice.
• If you are running late, don’t worry pop into the call whenever you are free. Likewise, feel free to leave at any stage. Whether you are there for 5 minutes or the hour, we will be happy to know you were there.
• Feel free to work away on crafts, knitting, colouring or such, if you like to keep your hands busy as you talk.
• If possible please wear headphones with a mic. This helps improve audio and reduces the amount of feedback in the call.
• You can have a public chat in the chat function, but no private messaging anyone
  • Please note, there will be Bi+ Ireland volunteers keeping an eye on the chat.
• Please use "content notices" if you are about to talk about sensitive or potentially triggering topics. 
  • If you're talking about a situation that is sensitive for you it might be helpful if you clearly say if you're looking for sympathy or if you're looking for solutions - but you don't have to do that.
• In the interest of consensual interactions, we are implementing a "badge" policy, which we learnt from another group.

Just rename yourself to include the first letter of the colour badge you feel is appropriate.
Eg: G -Alex, O - Aaron, R - Eliza,

• Green (G) means I'd like to interact so please chat with me & I might not speak out myself.
• Orange (O) means prior permission - I only want to interact with people to whom I've given permission.
• Red means - (R) I'm here, but not up for any kind of interaction
• No colour means you'll manage things as they come.
• You can change badges/ colour things many times during a conversation but just remember it might take others a few seconds to notice.
• The host will be clearly labelled.

 
Important to remember

• This is a Bi+ Ireland event and as such our guidelines are in play. Remember to respect each other, act in good faith and know that no racism, sexism or LGBT+-phobia will be tolerated. 
  • For a full review of our guidelines please see http://tinyurl.com/irlbiguidelines 

 
Useful Links
To join us please fill out the form:
https://forms.gle/DdP8hd7nsvaAJ2MRA
 
To see upcoming event please see:
https://www.facebook.com/biirelandnetwork/events/
http://www.biireland.com/calendar-of-events.html