How Can I Help Members Build Connections Online?

After online meetings or between meetings, you can encourage members to connect and engage with each other.

Some things that can help are:

Remind everyone to keep things private and be respectful.
Spend time learning about each other.
Ask light questions like favorite cookie, dream vacation, or recent movies.
Use polls or reactions to see what people like or dislike. Do a show-and-tell with a unique object from their home. Encourage using video if they are comfortable.
Invite members to bring their lunch, dinner, or drinks. Include breaks for casual chats. Share fun facts or interesting stories during breaks.

More information:

Remote and Online Peer Support (National Survivor User Network): A 19-page resource about virtual peer support, written during Covid-19.