Timeline

• Designing a Veterans Social (0-1 month)

  Define the goals of the Veterans Social. Decide if you will tailor the events to attendees who have a common interest (e.g., bowling, volunteering, etc.). Identify community partners to bolster community involvement and help find a location for your Veterans Social. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of potential locations and how to minimize barriers related to potential locations.
• Organizing a Veterans Social (1-2 months)

  Collaborate with community partners to organize an event, which involves identifying a location and drawing attendees. Find a day and time to hold the social and recognize that certain times may better suit for attendees with different needs. Develop a starter group (i.e., a group of four people who can commit to attending) and create an energetic and welcoming environment to invite others to join and continue attending. Promote the Veterans Social through various means (e.g., social media postings, email lists, flyers, Veteran organizations, etc.). Prepare for the first Veterans Social by having resources available for Veterans and contacting members of the starter group to confirm attendance.
• Implementing a Veterans Social (2-6) month

  Welcome attendees and introduce yourself. Engage in casual conversation and create a welcoming environment through conversation and getting to know others. Facilitate discussion amongst attendees and encourage attendees to foster relationships outside of the event. Make space for negative or challenging feelings that may come up for attendees, and acknowledge their feelings, steer social interactions, and support their well-being. Share information and resources if attendees express a need or interest. Utilize the VOICES WE CARE model: Welcome, Explain, Connect, Actively listen, Respond and Express gratitude to guide interactions (see files for more detailed guidance).
• Transitioning and Adapting a Veterans Social (6 month+/ Ongoing)

  Veterans Socials are attendee-driven and should adapt and respond to attendees’ needs and preferences. This can mean being flexible with activities attendees may choose to engage in (e.g., volunteer or recreation activities) or how they engage (e.g., virtual events). Developing co-hosts or transitioning to community-based Veteran hosts is important for sustaining and expanding Veterans Socials. When community-based hosts take over a Veterans Social, VA peer specialist hosts continue to remain in periodic contact with the community-based host. This transition allows for VA peer specialist hosts to start new Veterans Socials in other communities, while still being available to ongoing Veterans Socials.