This past summer, Liz Chalenburg (Secretary), Abigail Percifield (Moderator), and I submitted a proposal to form a Midwest Regional Online Community (ROC). This effort was in support of a strategic plan initiative to ensure that all US regions are represented by an ROC. With sufficient inaugural members (22), the Board approved the group’s formation. Members, thus far, range from early career clinicians to long-established and revered ISSTD leaders (e.g., Peter Barach, Rich Hohfeler, and Wendy Lemke).
Since launching, the ROC has convened once, in October, to generate ideas likely to increase the sense of connection between trauma- and dissociation-focused clinicians and researchers in the region. The group endeavors to be a vital place for sharing resources and finding opportunities for collaboration. In spring-through-summer, we have two in-person meet-ups planned; one in March at the annual conference in Boston, and another in July at the regional conference in Chicago. Exact dates, times and meeting locations will be posted in the ROC’s ISSTDWorld forum soon.
Our next online meeting is scheduled for February 14 at 2pm US Eastern Time. If you would like to join the Midwest ROC, please e-mail our secretary, Liz Chalenburg at liz@stillbecoming.me. For reference, states considered “Midwest” include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Warm regards,
Jon