Links to:

Welcome to The Village Gathering, the SYMC online forum discussion bulletin board. It is our belief that couples in crisis, particularly those dealing with infidelity, need many helping heads, hands, and hearts to guide and support them through the process of ending an affair and healing their marriage. This discussion forum is one of many resources we offer. I'm glad you found us. I know you will find strength and support from others who have walked where you are now. It is my hope that someday you will reach out to others in need with what you have learned.

Here are some things I'd like you to know about SYMC and our forum boards:

• We specialize in infidelity. In my coaching practice I work with couples healing all marital situations, but infidelity is what I do primarily. It is the number one presenting problem for marriages in crisis.
• This is a discussion board. It is not professional help of any sort nor is it meant to be. The one sidedness of dealing with half a couple, the anonymity, and the inability to see the bigger picture based on a public posting make it impossible to do more than give thoughts and recommendations on a general basis. However, human dynamics being what they are, generalizations when it comes to dealing with infidelity are often right on target. The insights others have gained from their own experience and the support they can offer is invaluable.
• SYMC is able to offer so many services and resources solely because of the amazing generosity of our volunteers. A global network of generosity is at work behind the scenes, fabulous advocates for marriage, too many too name and some whose names we will never know. These below are the few who are personally visible.
• All SYMC staff or volunteers are designated by having SYMC in their screen name followed by whatever their role is in the community. Designations are listed below. These are incredibly generous volunteers who are willing to be visible and to give their time and energy to others who are suffering. Please seek them out, and remember to thank them for attention and care. You can read their bios at our main site.
  • Our board moderators are handpicked and trained. They can give you good basic information and point you in the direction of further resources. They also have the authority to remove offending posts or posters. Their decisions can be appealed, but be aware that the Board and I will give much weight to their opinions. If in doubt about the appropriateness of something you'd like to post - don't.
    Designation: SYMC/Mod
  • SYMC School of Coaching is the first in the world to wed sound marriage healing strategies with cutting edge coaching concepts. The SYMC SoC students are often present on the board to give you information and direction. As stated above this is not to be taken as professional advice, but as educated information based on their studies.
    There are two designations for SoC members. Those who have passed the written and oral entrance requirements are designated simply by SYMC/SoC. Students who have passed the core marriage portion of their studies and are now doing their mentoring practicum with SYMC clients are designated by SYMC/SoC Mentor.
  • SYMC Coaches who complete and pass the marriage and coaching foci of the SoC training are certified as SYMC Marriage Coaches. Our goal is to have two fully certified graduates by the end of 2004 and ten in 2005. This is an ambitious goal as the coursework is very rigorous.
    Designation: SYMC CMC
  • Our Volunteer Coordinator is the focus point for those who are interested in Joining the Village in whatever way they can contribute. (For more information on how you can do so, check out my Join The Village plea or contact our coordinator at sharon.stogner@symcinc.com.)
    Designation: Volunteer Coordinator
  • As we grow, posters who are well versed in the SYMC concepts and who have a way of respectfully and clearly explaining those concepts to others will come to our attention. Those who are willing to be recognized as leaders will be given the designation Village Elder. These are people who have not been trained by SYMC but whose intelligence, insight, dedication and care are an invaluable resource to those in need.
    Designation: Village Elder
  • SYMC has a Board of Advisors who give of their time and expertise to answer questions in their field of knowledge, interest, and education. They also have the opportunity to work intimately with the planning and direction of SYMC as it moves forward.
    Designation: SYMC/BoA
  • And then there's me. Founder, Director, Coach. I dearly hope to have time to be intimately involved in the board and its postings. As with our moderators, SoC members and coaches, my thoughts and opinions can't be professional in scope due to the limitations of a public board. I can however point to and clarify concepts and dynamics, answer general questions and give some feedback. As much as I would like to answer all posts, please understand that time limitations make that impossible.
    Designation: PennySYMC
    
    
    
• Along with our volunteer staff, we have some unique forum boards. Some are private and require special permission to access. The topics we address at our site are sensitive, and we do all we can to ensure our members safety. Doing so is difficult enough on our public Infidelity boards and for topics that have higher levels of sensitivity we have created private spaces for discussion.
• Beyond Sexual Abuse is a private board for survivors of sexual abuse and their spouses. The board requires special permission to access and certain requirements must be met. Email Carol for more information or for access privileges.
• Reclamation ~ Finding Your Way Home is a private board for those who are actively involved in an affair and who are struggling to end the affair and return to the marriage. This forum is closely moderated. For access privileges email Penny at help@saveyourmarriagecentral.com include member name and your reason for wanting to join.
• In addition to our private boards we have a very unique board that I want to call to your attention. Right now we're calling it the Village Well. Our Vision is to create a global network of assistance for couples or individuals in need. Some things that come to mind are books, clothes, time, a phone call, food, housing, childcare, carpentry or other skilled services, a referral, mentoring... Anything that you have to give to someone else in need. Much like the classified ads on a volunteer level. If you have a level of expertise or would like to volunteer in a greater capacity, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at sharon.stogner@symcinc.com.

  Post your wishes here for the things you need right now.Tell us what The Village can do to help you save your marriage? Post what you can share here - the things you can give to someone in need. No service is too small. A 10 minute phone call on a really bad day could save a marriage or even a life. Be sure to check both boards - you never know when someone is looking for what you can give or when someone is willing to share what you need.

• Check out this link for valuable information about my concepts and methods for dealing with infidelity: Infidelity Overview The First Phases

Enter the Village > > >