Sharing Circles Host Checkin!

○What is going well for you as a host?

I love hosting SC and HH because I feel like members are really able to get whatever emotions they're bottling up out, it's just a great community building discussion and helps build lasting friendships.

○What are some struggles that you are experiencing as a host?

Sometimes I find the pacing of beginning and ending the circles difficult, like when to close the queue or when to copy paste the next message.

○Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve these sessions for you and the community?

Nothing that I can think of! Thank you for this check in!

1. What is going well for me as a host? As a host, I've left almost every session when everyone thanking me for hosting and telling me I've done a good job. I know I've made a difference and help members seeking support receive that. 2. What are some struggles that you are experiencing as a host? New on the spot hosts don't receive enough training to properly handle a session on their own without a co-host guiding them. I've been lurking in SC alot while I'm in class and members have been complaining to me about chaos in that room when I'm not host hoping I would step in. 3. Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve these sessions for you and the community? Pair new hosts with experienced hosts so they can receive guidance until they're ready to host on their own. So like a mentorship program or something. Or at the very least have some video training them of how to react in common scenarios like new members coming in and interrupting shares because new members are clueless. Note: I'm interested in doing training if those are available and don't conflict with my schedule.

○What is going well for you as a host?

In general Sharing Circle is going well for me. The recent edits to the script are working well, it's shorter and more straightforward. I really like the format of Sharing Circle, it's a great way for members to get used to sharing in a low pressure way, as it's only 5 minutes and there are no questions. There are so many supportive participants and it's a pleasure to be involved.

○What are some struggles that you are experiencing as a host?

I'm not experiencing any issues in my own session at the moment, I feel like I've really settled into the role and I'm comfortable hosting, it has taken a while to get to this stage though! However, I have noticed participants getting frustrated in sessions where there is no host or a host who doesn't appear to be using the script.

○Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve these sessions for you and the community?

As Richuyulin said above, I think more guidance for new hosts would be good. This could be in the form of extra resources or pairing with experienced hosts, in my opinion, pairing would work better as it's more "learning by doing" than more reading to do.

I have also noticed that sometimes there are assigned hosts on the sheet, but they're not in the room. I understand that real life happens and things come up, however this seems to be happening more than it should. Maybe a more regular check-in with committed hosts to check they're still happy about the slots they're signed up for and a reminder to remove themselves from slots they're not doing?

I filled in for someone who couldn't make their regular slot this week but only because we happened to be chatting. I'm not 100% certain of how it would work but maybe there could be a forum thread where people could post if they can't make their regular slot and others could pick it up for them. This has the advantage of a) maintaining coverage of the room and (possibly more importantly) b) the assigned host has somewhere to go to find someone to fill in, so they don't end up doing the session when they're overwhelmed or on a break because they feel like they have to.

Apologies for the long post, I'm passionate about Sharing Circle!

@CheeryMango

Hi there, this is a tmely post. A disruptive member that Richyulin and I had to deal with one evening was rather memorable, so this Forum Post is very welcome.

I am in agreement with Richyulin and Gozzil, both of whom I have seen do phenomenal jobs in hosting. I always try to make sure I mention them if I remember to complete the assessment of the SC/HH that I participated in, using the link in the script. :) I am relatively new to hosting, and learned the ropes from someone who seems not to be here anymore so I don't have any formal training. I learned using the old script and I noticed it changed quite a bit recently.

1. What is going well: There is 1 dedicated hosting day/time I am committed to, but I also do some in-a-pinch hosting. I do not mind stepping in, if the host gets disconnected or has to leave, or if there is clearly no one hosting or if the Mod is clearly busy elsewhere. However, I am watching how much I host, so that I don't burn out. :) I am able/willing to redirect members if I see a lot of side commentary, by saying "Let's give the sharer our full attention, please!" or asking newbies/new arrivals to read the guidelines using the script link or the Chat Guidelines near the bottom of the screen. I will support any host with such reinforcers if it seems necessary but at the same time I don't want to overstep or start a power struggle either!

2. What are some struggles that you are experiencing as a host?

As others have said, no-show hosts, and chaos in the room, are becoming noticeable. I have sometimes wavered over if I should interject "no questions, no advice, please do not interrupt the sharer" remarks, even if there's a known host. Sometimes people have been overlooked who have typed * or the host didn't use the script and things devolve into chaos, as Gozzil or Richyulin noted above.

3. Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve these sessions for you and the community?

It would help if there is an identified Host tag or descriptor or whatever, that could maybe be added to whoever is hosting. I know there's a banner way up top, but hoenstly, I don't even check that to see who's hosting as it's not even always up to date. Right now, my username has a Helping Hand in blue next to it when I am in SC/HH. Could the word Host be added to a hosting member's name, or is there a way to toggle it on and off when you are clearly hosting? I see the occasional Room Supporter tag or label, so it seems reasonable to add Host to a username.

I'm sure I will think of other things later on.

Hi Mango, thank you 💙 What's going well: it went well so far. ● What's the struggles: The hosting schedule is still chaotic apparently hahaa... I'm there for my schedule, someone else wanted to host that time. Other times, when I'm not on my laptop, it took a while before someone stepped up to host. Confusing hahahaa.. ● Training? Sure, that would be great. Thank you 💙

Hello! Rather new to hosting so forgive me if I ask something that is mentioned somewhere else and I haven't discovered it yet! :) 1) What is going well for you as a host? I love the sharing circles, it's such a great idea, and a wonderful way for people to feel connected and listened to, no matter what they want to talk about. And I like the script, all hail the script writing gods! 2) What are some struggles that you are experiencing as a host? Sometimes I have difficulty knowing when to say something, but that may just be my poor timing judgement. I don't really know what to do if someone starts talking about inappropriate things, or triggering topics, or things like that. I know I can message a mod, but besides that... I've also found the sharing circle to be without a host a few times, which is why I stepped in 3 times today.. is there a schedule for hosts? Maybe at busy hours two hosts could be scheduled to help each other out/step in if one host has to leave or something. 3) Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve these sessions for you and the community? Um, not really, apart from the double host thing. Keep up the awesome work everyone! <3 As for the training, i'd be keen to learn more. I'm available on the weekends in the evenings, do I need to give a specific time? oh, I'm in Eastern Europe time :)