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Permalink Reply by Upstate Buddy #211 on April 6, 2008 at 10:51am

Tony,
What do you think about the concept of our conference call meetings for those of us without the possibility of a physical meeting? Seems to be working for us and the phone call seems confidential, but are we fooling ourselves?

Also do you have any suggestions for the meeting after the meeting if we do the conference call type meeting?

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Permalink Reply by Tony Hamilton on April 6, 2008 at 11:24am

Hi Bill,

As I stated, "I suggest to those who want to share something personal is to get the email address(es) and/or telephone numbers of other members and communicate this way."

Not sure why you stated, "but are we fooling ourselves?".

Suggestions... if for the interim, I suggest writing thank you emails or reviewing a chapter of the book, "Samson & the Pirate Monks." Better, yet... what does your group conscious suggest?

Your question(s) seem ambiguous. Please expound.

Yours in Christ,

Tony

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Permalink Reply by Upstate Buddy #211 on April 6, 2008 at 11:30am

Sorry I was not clear, Tony.

The fooling ourselves question has to do with confidentiality. Is there a way others can listen in on a conference call and we don't know it just like people we are not expecting to view internet posts may do so? I don't think so, but wondered if you knew.

The meeting after the meeting question is that since this is a key element of the meeting, I am thinking of suggesting guys talk to each other in private phone conversations immediately following the conference call meeting for fellowship in a way to come as close to the model of a physical Samson meeting as possible. I was just wondering if you thought that was a good idea since we have our second conf. call meeting scheduled for this Tuesday.

in His love,
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Tony Hamilton on April 6, 2008 at 2:21pm

Hi Bill,

To my knowledge, conference calls are safe. Most would require a password access to get in. Best to ask the conference call provider.

That's terrific for having a conference call meeting. In the group, are there Silas relationships? Accountabiltiy would be a good discussion. I have asked, "what do I expect from the SS?" Also, "what am I doing today for God?" The meeting format recommends in Appendix B, a topic ie anger, fear, generousity, health, goals, laughter, resentments, etc. Might be wise to ask the group what they would like to talk about.

Private phone conversations after the conference call can also be done via MSN chat, etc. Cell phones especially, add up time and LD thus, for some may get a little expensive. Bill, I suggest that you encourage all to read Nate's book.
Hope this helps,
Tony (nice guy)

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Permalink Reply by SteveB on April 12, 2008 at 11:50am

thanks for this great post, Tony. sorry i was not aware of it before i posted my TeleMeetings. i was most glad to see your caution note - for the benefit of all. really nice job on the whole thing, though. i highly suggest it as a must-read for all SS brothers. best, Steve B

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Permalink Reply by Scott Kilpatrick on April 12, 2008 at 5:14pm

I agree with everything you have said Tony. Nothing takes the place of personal interaction. When I lost my first wife, I am became aware of on-line dating, which was completely new to me. Like this site, it had the potential to extend your social network, allowing you to better connect with people of similar interests (as opposed to gyms, bars, etc.). Nevertheless, it serves as only a tool that should ultimately lead to personal interactions and meetings. I met many interesting people this way...but the decision to take a relationship further hinged on the physical interaction. Likewise, I could not function with simply on-line chats and forums alone, not even close! That said, I also see another role for this website. I post a lot on various on-line forums, mostly related to sports cars, bicycles, and rarely politics. In the end, I cannot say necessarily that such posts truly impact people's lives, although they make for enjoyable reading. This forum gives on-line seekers opportunities to interact and impact (and be impacted) by life issues that truly are relevant and important. I suppose that some people initially may feel more comfortable remaining anonymous on such a forum, gradually feeling more secure and ultimately emboldened to open up and share with "real" "live" people. I also would hate to such people in this position discouraged from using this forum, when, in some cases, they may have very little to fall back on at the present time.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Hamilton on April 12, 2008 at 6:39pm

Hi Scott,

Thank you for your reply. Just cautioning everyone about pertinent information being freely posted on the site. True, if anonymous, some may reveal as they please. The site is a tool and is very useful to all. I do pray that those who visit our site are enlightened, and in time, would feel nudged to attend a physical meeting and/or connect with others via telephone or email.

Scott, I'm into cars also, hunting (studying to get my firearm permit), motorcycles... a friend has a KLR and considering one, and customs semis... ie class 8 trucks with extended bunks such as, double eagle. I still have my 1A but my driving days are over due to my medical condition... internal organ damage.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Kilpatrick on April 13, 2008 at 3:24pm

Tony, sorry to hear about your medical condition. I grew up in a family that hunted, and many still do...it has been years since I have. Don't know much about motorcycles, since most of my 2-wheel adventures are on a bicycle. Hope you didn't misunderstand me...I think what you're trying to do is spot on...people have to be somewhat careful with what they post in a public forum, or at least knowledgeable enough to know that somethings may be more public that they think.

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