I've been hosting a Samson Society Saturday newcomers meeting for almost two years now. It's been demanding but in a very good way. I took this particular spot from the man himself, Mr. Nate Larkin. The highlight of hosting this meeting is it kickstarts my weekend with fresh, masculine personas. And I love this! Not knowing who's going to show up, it feels whimsical and a bit surreal, in manner ways. The stories, via the 2-10 newbies that show, shared are rich and deeply impactful. It's just overall, a grand experience.
But what's disappointing, after the fact, is the true uptake (long-term engagement) of these newbies towards Samson Society itself.
How do I know this? I call to check in on my newbies one week following the meeting they attend. The vast majority either don't respond to my follow-up or admit freely to not having taken the initiative to attend even one online meeting.
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What exactly happens within a newcomers meeting?
Every meeting (there're standalone newcomers meeting available most days of the week) is hosted by its own, uniquely qualified, Samson brother. As such, their persona / agenda flows forth. And that's to be expected.
My hero, Nate, provided a one-time walkthrough for Rob prior to me taking the reins of the Saturday meeting years ago. I've certainly worked to optimize my approach to leading, and frankly, I believe I do a damn good job providing an overview of the Samson Society whilst drawing out / establishing the proper tone that points towards the community as a whole.
But even my best attempts to clinically (sprinkled with some therapy) describe Samson Society falls flat compared to a true therapeutic Samson meeting immersion. For as we call know, that's where the true magic happens.
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Within the in-person paradigm (Samson Society meeting), there's no newcomers' meeting "screening process". Instead, newbies simply (after typically being referred in) walk into a meeting and follow along. It's not rocket science, and it doesn't make room for skittishness / the timid - to any degree.
Think of it like stepping into a church service for the first time or perhaps a gym. As an adult with zero experience. From there, it's either sink or swim. As such, it's the motivator (most often shame) that's in control.
And I like that approach, but why not instead establish some similar incubator / immersion Samson meetings that are specifically designed for these men? In other words, put newcomers together with some seasoned Samson brothers, thereby allowing them to learn / experience Samson Society sans the training wheels of a newcomers meeting.
As such, this would be an exact facsimile of the in-person experience (which works beautifully)!
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