Any questions/answers you’d like in this FAQ? Please let Patti know!!
1. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VIDEO MEETUPS
Are there things I shouldn’t bring up during meetings?
Here are our current guidelines that have gradually arisen through a sort of consensus process:
1. Conversations about experience are preferred to theory or concepts, especially where one promotes a “correct” view or assumes the role of Teacher.
2. Conversations that move freely, making sure everyone has the opportunity to speak, are preferred to one or two people talking at length, monopolizing, with little give and take.
3. Descriptions of non-symbolic and related experiences are welcome but stories from the narrative self and unnecessary personal details are best avoided.
4. What is said in meetups is confidential – not to be repeated or shared with people outside the Meetup without the permission of those involved in the Meetup. Accordingly, recording of meetups is not acceptable unless that is agreed upon.
5. Not everyone welcomes feedback and opinions so it’s important to get permission and avoid “shoulds” and judgments.
6. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated.
I’m uncomfortable asking people about their experiences since I figure they’ve probably shared many times. We’ve found that people in our meetups are usually quite willing to talk about their experiences when asked, so see if you can set your discomfort aside as a practice of sorts and ASK!! We really want to encourage folks to ask anything and everything relevant to the community.
When can I show up for a meetup? For most meetups, you can enter and leave anytime. Most hosts open their links 15 minutes early and you’re welcome to come during that period, which often has a different conversational feel, one that includes day-to-day stuff, questions from left field, and so forth; it’s often quite fun. For meetups with an outside guest or a prolonged practice, we encourage you to arrive on time to avoid disturbing the process or slip in with your mic muted. You can always leave at any time; wave, say goodbye in the chat, or simply slip out.
I’m reluctant to come to meetups because I’m uneasy or don’t want to share yet. There’s no pressure to speak in the meetups. If someone does ask you a question you’re not comfortable answering, simply say you’re not ready to speak; this will be respected. Also, getting over your fear of participating in the meetups can be viewed as a sort of practice, an exercise in developing trust, if that idea suits you.
From the meetup descriptions, I feel I may be unqualified or out of place in some of them. Other than meetups designated as private (which won’t have a Zoom link), the meetups are open to anyone. Meetups range widely in tone and subject matter and also vary from week to week. The only way to know for sure which meetups suit you after checking out the descriptions is to give them a try. You’re welcome to sit quietly without any obligation to speak so you can get a feel for that particular meetup. Some people seldom speak even after months in a meetup, though we encourage you to participate fully to add to the richness of everyone’s experience.
How are the meetup themes and hosts selected? Since the beginning, we’ve avoided formality as much as possible in running the community and this is no exception. Commonly, someone will come up with an idea for a new meetup and if they wish, we (Patti, Tancha, David, and Amy) can help develop the idea, including scheduling, promoting, and launching. If a host wishes to step down from an ongoing meetup we will do our best to find someone to take over. All hosts have complete autonomy over their meetups though we regularly discuss matters of common interest.
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT PERFECTLYOKAY.ORG
Is POK affiliated with Jeffery Martin? No, POK has never been affiliated with Jeffery Martin or The Fundamental Wellbeing Foundation. POK has always been an independent community, supporting each other through the awakening process.
How do I find out more about other members? Check out their website profiles. If you click on Members in the top menu and put in a name to search, you’ll find information on posts they’ve written and other stuff. We encourage everyone to put a bio in their profile, such as we all wrote for the FC. For Photo or Avatar images in your registration bio, the max upload size of an image is 2MB. The use of low-resolution images is recommended.
How do I get someone’s email address so I can connect with them? Click on Members in the top menu and enter their name. If they haven’t added their email address, email Patti. The email addresses are made available because this is a social community and not a secret society. You can now “friend” and private message other members!
May I use an anonymous screen name? Because the website is intended primarily for mutual support and networking within the community, everyone’s name and email address are available for all to see. We much prefer that your username be your real name, but if not, please sign your post(s) with your full name.
How do I upload a pdf or Word doc to the website? Patti will be happy to do that for you. Similarly, if you need help with anything else on perfectlyokay.org, contact Patti.
How do I reply to a post in the forum? If you wish to address the main topic, enter your reply in the text box just below the last post in that thread. If you wish to address a specific post within the thread, use the “Reply” button to the upper right of that post. You have four hours to edit your post by clicking on the “Edit” button to the upper right of your post..
How do I “follow” a certain thread in the forum? Click on “Subscribe” at the top of the thread and you’ll receive an email whenever a new post appears on that thread.
How/when do I start a new thread? When it’s a new topic or a significant variation from the current topic. Do this by clicking on the Forum under which the new topic/thread is to be posted rather than posting again in the current topic thread.
In the forums, how do I set off quotes or other text in a text box? Highlight (select) the text in the text box that you want to quote, then click the “b-quote” (block quote) button.