You can designate specific group members to greet members, especially new members. Every group member needs to know it is their responsibility to make others feel welcome and supported. Be watchful of group members sitting alone and not part of the group. A friendly invitation to sit with a group member who is new or not interacting with other members, can go a very long way in breaking the ice and making everyone feel welcome and part of the group. At the beginning of the group meeting, it is a good idea to state the group rules.
Confidentiality is a group rule that can put all group members at ease.
Knowing that all discussions remain in the group and are not shared outside the group gives group members security to participate in the group. When a speaker is scheduled, a disclaimer stating these are the views of the speaker, and not the National MS Society, nor the self-help group, can clarify the information presented and allows group members to evaluate the information. Each group may have its own rules which it may want to state at meetings to enable group meetings to run smoothly and to ensure a pleasant environment for group members. Talking with other people who understand and live themselves with MS is the number one reason people attend self-help groups. Topics can be light-hearted or very serious, and discussions always need to remain positive by focusing on solutions and the collective experience and knowledge of the group.