WoVeN Series Week 8: Celebrating

Celebrate good times! Meeting eight is all about celebration, reflecting and going over our time capsule. The time capsule is a worksheet that we give out in the first meeting there are questions that the group member has to answer, sort of like reflecting. For example, what has it meant to be a part of a group of women Veterans? What are the most important things you’ll be taking away from the group? A real big one is What might you tell a woman Veteran who is considering joining WoVen?
The top goals for this meeting are to reflect on the past eight meetings, identify what group members might be able to carry with them from the group into the future, take time to mention out alumni group and celebrate! To accomplish these goals as a peer leader I provide a space for group members to share their thoughts on their time in the WoVen group, facilitate discussion on how connections made through the group may be carried forward and enjoy connecting through the celebration.
By the final meeting connections and bonds are formed and new friends are made so a celebration is a no brainer. We laugh, tell stories, introduce our family (if they want to), listen to music, eat, reflect and just get to know one another on a deeper level. We also take the time to discuss our reflection letters and what it means to be a part of something so amazing.
We also discuss future plans on how to stay connected with one another. To do that we use a series of discussion questions:
Throughout the past several weeks, we have come together as our own group. Although we can continue to connect outside of group, we won’t be meeting altogether like this again. How will it feel for us to not meet next week?
Any thoughts on how we might stay connected to one another? I know that some of us exchanged emails and phone numbers at the beginning of the group. We can take some time during the party to make sure that anyone who wants to stay connected has each other’s contact information.
Some groups enjoy setting up WoVen reunions. Would this be something that we would like to do?
Is there anything that we want to do together to “pay it forward?” (This is a time when the group can organize service activities or other meetings outside the group.)
Finally, we intend to keep growing WoVen in all kinds of ways. We have most people’s email addresses. Feel free to add yours if you haven’t already. We will continue to keep you in the loop as WoVen grows! Please let us know your thoughts on any ways we can grow and improve.
Finally, we ask group members would they be willing to take a group photo so that it may be posted on the WoVen website virtual picture album. We ask the group members in advance to think of some cool ways we can snap a shot and there have been some amazing ideas floating around the WoVen community.
I would tell a woman Veteran who is considering joining WoVen to come on home. Be ready to receive love with no judgement, compassion without asking and confidence when you need or don’t think you need it. We are a family, and we are always here for one another at any given time to give each other strength, courage, confidence, love and laughter. WoVen is a space where your voice matters and allows you to be reminded and share your time in the military good or bad.

"Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other." "Is solace anywhere more comforting than that in the arms of a sister." "Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."

Read weeks 1&2 here: http://rly.pt/3vSR8QZ
Read week 3 here: https://rly.pt/3vQfWZL
Read week 4 here: https://rly.pt/2PynCiY
Read week 5 here: https://rly.pt/3teePS7
Read week 6 here: https://rly.pt/3dsOVVc
Read week 7 here: https://rly.pt/3aDEex8

To get more information on WoVen and how you can become a WoVen member visit: https://www.wovenwomenvets.org/