Considering a Move from Yahoo to Facebook

Up to this point, the Texas HSP Group has always had its home on the Yahoo Groups network. In the beginning, this worked quite well, as Yahoo was one of the better forum providers out there.

Unfortunately (for us and many others) Yahoo Groups went through a major format change a couple of years ago, and the new layout and features for groups are really not very conducive to interaction and conversation.

Even Yahoo old-timers have found the new interface difficult to use.

We are gradually coming to the realization that maybe the idea of having an "email group" has more or less run its course.

One possibility under consideration is to simply move the group's "headquarters" to Facebook. I have written about this previously, and shared the idea inside the group... with a somewhat mixed response.

Of course, a lot of HSPs don't like Facebook, and avoid the social media giant like the plague. However, we have to consider the fact that activity in the HSP Texas group has dropped to almost nothing in the last few years. So it's safe to say that the YahooGroups format is NOT working out for anyone.

After all, there's not much point in being a member in a group if there's never any activity!

Some people would probably follow us to Facebook, and by having a group (possibly a "closed" group) there, we could also gain more exposure, and hopefully help the group grow.

After all, the entire point in forming this group in the first place was to help HSPs connect with each other for friendship and support. And that is NOT happening, at the moment... so the group is not serving its original purpose.

Comments and feedback invited and welcomed!

Facebook, twitter and other Social Media

We have been cautiously considering the possibility of having a page on Facebook, as well as a twitter account, to help promote the group. Even after almost four years in existence, the group still only has 66 members... in a state with almost 25 million people.

For the moment, we're playing it pretty low key. The challenge with using venues like Facebook and twitter is that (a) they are global, and we are a statewide group, and (b) HSPs are not necessarily comfortable with the idea if social media... and how "public" these venues are.

We will continue to discuss and consider. In the meantime, we will look at other ways to add new members to the group.

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

As we celebrate Independence Day, we are also close to celebrating the 3rd anniversary of our group's web site and blog. The online group is slightly older-- we have to wait till December 23rd for its 4th birthday.

We have grown from very humble beginnings to a membership of some 60+ HSPs. Not only does that make us one of the largest state and regional HSP groups in the nation-- we also have the most active dialogue, with participation by numerous members, every month.

As our group continues to grow, it's our hope that we can eventually bring an HSP Gathering here to the Lone Star State.

Happy Holidays!

It is that time of the year again. Whether you love it or loathe it, let's take a moment to pause and to wish for peace and healing in our turbulent world.

2010 was a good year for the Texas HSP group. Our membership now stands at its highest level ever, with HSPs having joined from across the state... and increasingly lively discussion on our message board/forum on Yahoo. If you're an HSP who has come across our site for the first time, why not come and join us!

It is our hope that in the course of 2011, the group will continue to grow to reach sufficient numbers that we can start having face-to-face meetings in some of the larger metro areas across the state. Significant interest has already been expressed in having groups in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and in the Austin/San Antonio area.

Happy Holidays to all!

May 2011 HSP Gathering in New England

Although this isn't going to happen exactly in our neighborhood, Jacquelyn Strickland, creator/organizer of the "official" HSP Gatherings has recently announced that there will be a 2011 HSP Gathering in the Northeastern USA:

The event will take place May 26th-30th, 2011 at the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, MA.

If you have not been to an HSP Gathering, or are not familiar with them, they are wonderful events, both for learning and for finding fellowship and friendship with other HSPs. Although the idea of spending time with complete strangers might sound daunting, it's actually an uncommonly welcoming atmosphere.

For more information, links to the retreat center web site and to register for the event, please visit Jacquelyn Strickland's web site at:

http://www.lifeworkshelp.com/hspgathering.htm

Make plans early! There's a discount on the registration fee for those who commit early, and the Gatherings ARE limited in terms of number of attendees. In keeping with being "HSP friendly" events (size wise) no more than 35-40 applications are accepted.

Our Growing Texas HSP Group!

Today-- May 22nd-- marks an annniversary of sorts, for the Texas HSP group.

Two years ago today, the first message was posted to our online forum on YahooGroups.

In the time since those tentative steps, the HSP Texas group has grown to 40+ members, and the "conversations" keep growing, month by month. Our group is actually on its way to becoming one of the most active "state level" HSP groups on the web! Which is saying quite a lot, given that the "original" Texas group for HSPs "went away" due to a lack of interest/activity.

Thank you to everyone who has joined and is now part of our group! Let's continue to build a supportive and safe online community for HSPs in the Lone Star State.

If YOU are a Highly Sensitive Person and are reading these words from a computer somewhere in the state of Texas, please consider joining our group. Just follow one of the links in the left margin, under "Where to find us."

HSP Gathering in Colorado, October 1-5, 2009

This is an initial announcement that there will be an HSP Gathering in Estes Park, CO this October. The event will take place at the YMCA of the Rockies facility on October 1-5, 2009-- near Rocky Mountain National Park.

This is the second HSP Gathering to take place in Colorado (the first was in 2007, and drew visitors from around the US, as well as Canada and the UK), and it is the closest venue for HSPs in Texas.

Colorado is beautiful in the fall, and it's not a terribly long drive, from most parts of Texas-- or hop a Southwest plane to Denver, and share a car rental with other attendees.

Don't be misled by the event being "at the YMCA." YMCA of the Rockies is a huge sprawling "campus" in beautiful natural surroundings.

Make plans to attend, early-- there's usually a discount for early registration. For more information, please visit Gathering Creator/Organizer Jacquelyn Strickland's web site:

Jacquelyn Strickland's HSP Gathering Page

So why attend an HSP Gathering? After all, the idea of "a group" probably sounds counterintuitive to most HSPs...

The purpose of these retreats is both to help HSPs learn about the trait, as well as to help us find fellowship with each other. There is nothing quite like spending several days with other people who truly "get it!"