A.2.6 Running gatherings
Summary
Gatherings give people a place to connect, share concerns, and find something to do together.
- A movement grows through relationships, and gatherings are where those relationships start.
- A gathering can be simple: tea and letter writing, a picnic, a town hall discussion, or an introduction to the AI Crisis.
- Tell people what the gathering is for, where and when it happens, and what to expect.
- Make room for conversation, not only a presentation.
- Always end with a specific next step and agree who will follow up.
Read this page when:
- You're planning a gathering and want a simple agenda to follow.
- You want to make sure newcomers feel welcome and know what to expect.
- You need to decide what next step to offer at the end.
A movement grows through relationships. Gatherings give people a place to connect, share concerns, and find something they can do together.
A gathering can be simple: tea and letter writing, a picnic, a town hall discussion, or an introduction to the AI Crisis.
Make it easy to join
Tell people what the gathering is for, where and when it happens, and what to expect. Welcome newcomers and explain the context without assuming they already know the movement.
Make room for conversation. A good gathering lets people get to know one another, not only hear a presentation.
Offer a next step
Invite people to another gathering, a conversation, a campaign activity, or a small responsibility. Make the invitation specific and let people choose what fits them.
Agree on who will follow up. Use the group's agreed process for contact information and keep personal details private.
For role holdersA simple agenda
- Welcome people and introduce the purpose.
- Give everyone a chance to speak.
- Share enough context for the activity or discussion.
- Do something together.
- Invite a next step and agree who will help.
- Ask for feedback and close on time.
The original guide also suggests activities such as Hamming circles, Estuary conversations, and meditation circles once participants share enough context and interest. Choose activities for the people present and explain how they work.