Online Shared Interest Groups for Yale 1969

The COVID challenge clarified a decision I was struggling to make: How best should Yale1969.org enable sub-groups of the Class to meet and hold discussions as a “Shared Interest Group” (SIG)?  Should we use video conferencing or a text-oriented, online “Discussion Forum”?

Normally, the easiest way to hold group discussions is to use what used to be called “Bulletin Board” software … now called Discussion Forums.  There, you log in, leave a message and have a back-and-forth, typing your messages.  Facebook groups use a Discussion Forum structure — basically text, sometimes with pictures, too.

Our classmates certainly have the writing abilities to engage in Discussion Forums, but, for a host of reasons, I didn’t think it would engender much engagement or participation.

The alternative was video conferencing, which I’ve seen work wonders for small groups of like-minded people.  There are two major negatives to video — a) technically connecting to the video conference and b) needing to schedule a time when everyone could “meet.”  The emergence of Zoom solved the former.  And frankly, with enough notice, small groups can find a time to meet, especially at this stage of our lives.

So effective immediately, we’ll use our new Yale 1969 Zoom Account as a shared resource that can be used by any Yale 1969 Shared Interest Group.

Forming A Shared Interest Group

If you would like to organize a SIG, let me know (support@Yale1969.org), and I’ll help you get started.  If it’s an existing group (e.g., the ’69 Wrestling Team), I’ll arrange for an email “group address” so you can coordinate meeting times.  I’ll need someone from the group (a person I’ll call the “Coordinator” for that SIG)  to get some training/orientation on how to host a Zoom meeting.  It doesn’t require any real technical expertise, so almost anyone can serve as the Coordinator of the SIG.

Crawl, Walk, Run

At the 50th reunion, many classmates commented how wonderful it was to re-establish old friendships … and make some new ones.  And the Reunion Committee felt strongly that we shouldn’t let those connections dwindle or atrophy in the 5 years between reunions.

They liked the idea of “mini-reunions” between now and 2024, but, frankly, those face-to-face encounters a) are geographically limited, b) are expensive, and c) may very well be sparsely attended, by people you don’t particularly know (and/or possibly not like).

Especially as our mobility decreases, we thought it would be increasingly challenging to sponsor successful “mini-reunions.”  Then COVID hit and many, many classmates found themselves using video conferencing to meet with remote family, business colleagues, civic groups and others.  Why not use Zoom for meetings with classmates, especially with people you want to be with?

So, with that shared history, we are going to start the Yale 1969 SIG efforts. We’ll start simply and let it grow organically as we explore how it works for you and your group.

Coordinator – someone willing to facilitate SIG meetings must raise his hand.  I’ll help with training and support, but YOU need to lead.  Doug Leonard is offering to lead a new SIG addressing wealth inequality, power concentration and democracy.  See Yalies for A Fair, Sustainable Society.   At their first meeting, they’ll decide whether to form a SIG or not.

Another man is coordinating the inaugural meeting of his senior society later this month.

If YOU want to see a SIG form around a relationship — either one from our undergrad years (e.g., Political Union: Conservatives) or one with a current interest of yours (e.g., Yale Corinthian Boating Buddies) — let me know and we’ll coordinate an initial meeting and ongoing ones if you and your group so choose.

Directory of SIGs

As SIGs are formed, and especially if they are open to new members (e.g., a “bridge players SIG”), a Directory of SIGs will become a useful reference.  Right now it is empty.  But as SIGs form, a directory will be populated and published.

This is evolving.  If you want to help, please let me know.  (support@Yale1969.org)