I just wanted to +1 this post! In general I agree there needs to be more opportunity for open communications with new EAs! This is why I think developing new local presences/chapters for EA is so important (cue, shameless plug of what I am working on!).
I should also note that all of us at Giving What We Can are always happy to chat with new people in the movement! Alison Woodman (alison.woodman@givingwhatwecan.org) is a great first point of contact, and I am also always happy to chat! (jonathan.courtney@givingwhatwecan.org)
An idea that just sprung to mind is that it might be good to have google hangouts happening every week/every other week for people in regions where there isn’t already local presences set up, to enable this kind of connection.
Just wanted to chime in and say I think this is a really great idea! Looking forward to seeing the program grow in the years to come!