Tools for Hosts – Partner

WELCOME TO THE TABLE

At the Table Colorado (ATTC) is an annual gathering designed to take people places – to offices, schools, libraries, restaurants, museums and other spaces where they meet others, share ideas and explore ways to improve our neighborhoods, communities and state. The results are empowering conversations, exciting new relationships and genuine pathways toward collaborative action – outcomes that connect our communities, making them more resilient and resourceful.

Everyone is welcome…literally everyone, because Your Voice Matters Colorado!

There is a lot of information on this page. The links below can be used to move to each section:

ATTC Toolkit

Connect with At the Table Colorado on Social Media

Tools for Hosts

Setting the Table

At the Table

After Your Conversation

Trainings and Information Sessions

Sharing Ideas through Social Media

ATTC TOOLKIT

The ATTC Toolkit has resources to enrich your Table experience and like any other toolkit, it has some things you will use and others you won’t; take what works for you and leave the rest. We have created templates of posters, invitations, placemats for taking notes, and much more. Browse our tools for Hosts, Guests, School/Youth or download and share our one-page Fact Sheet.

In addition to this toolkit, there will be online training webinars and Facebook live discussions. As a registered Host/Guest you will receive email updates as plans develop. We will also post the information on our website: atthetablecolorado.org and our social media as well.

Tools for Hosts | Tools for Guests | Tools for School/Youth | Templates | ATTC Fact Sheet

CONNECT WITH AT THE TABLE COLORADO ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: facebook.com/atthetablecolorado

Twitter: @AtTheTableCO

Instagram: @AtTheTableColorado

Hashtag: #AtTheTableColorado #YourVoiceMattersColorado #ATTCYouthVoices #InItForGoodColorado #ColoradoConversations #ATTCSelfie

When posting news of your event on social media please use the hashtags #AtTheTableColorado and #YourVoiceMattersColorado.

TOOLS FOR HOSTS

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HOST?

Thank you, for agreeing to be a Host for At the Table Colorado, during April 2019. You are among people who are lending their vision, imagination and energy to shape conversations with friends old and new, all around a meal and a topic. Hosting is the first step to doing something great in Colorado, and it’s made easy with support from our ATTC Toolkit.

As a Host with At the Table Colorado, you believe in the power of your own voice and its ability — alone or with others — to make a difference. You’re committed to collectively exploring vital issues and innovative solutions that build and sustain our communities. That’s why you’re here.

Whether Hosting a Private Conversation where you invite all the Guests or a Public Conversation where the public will register to attend your discussion, the planning is the same.

Private Conversation vs. Public Conversation:
  • Hosting a Private Conversation: You will invite all your guests; your invitation should include all your conversation specifics such as: the date/time, location with full address (provide directions if needed), your meal type (potluck, split the check, brown bag or buy or own coffee, etc.) and the discussion topic along with any special information you would like your Guests to know about.
  • Hosting a Public Conversation: When you registered to Host a Public Conversation, you created a Table event page with the specifics of your discussion: location with address, date/time, meal type (potluck, split the check, brown bag or buy or own coffee, etc.) along with any special information you would like your Guests to know about the gathering. Your Guests will register online at the At the Table Colorado website, Register to Participate in a Conversation.

After you registered, you received a confirmation email, with a link to your event page (check your Junk/Spam folder if you can’t find it). Manage your event page, by using the link to login. From here you can see who has registered to attend your conversation, add more details about your discussion and email your registered Guests.

Your Guests also receive an email after registering for your conversation, with the specifics of your Table event, including: event location with address and map, your contact info (email, phone, etc.), meal type, topic, etc.

NOTE: If you are Hosting a Public Conversation, details of your Table event and location will be posted on the At the Table Colorado website.

HOST RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Find a suitable location for the conversation.
  • Invite 8-10 people to join the conversation if you registered as a Host of a Conversation. Or if you registered to Host a Public Conversation, the public will register to attend your discussion online at the At the Table Colorado website.
  • Plan for food and drinks, ranging from snacks to full meals, to enjoy with your guests during the conversation. It could be a potluck meal, brown bag or a pay your own way coffee.
  • Serve as the conversation guide.
  • Respond to a brief survey and provide feedback regarding your conversation experience.
  • Encourage your guests to respond to the survey and provide feedback as well.

You are an engaged resident of Colorado and clearly believe in each person’s power to make a difference. If you know anyone else that might be interested in Hosting an At the Table Colorado conversation, please share our website with them: atthetablecolorado.org

SETTING THE TABLE

Now that you are registered to Host a conversation, Private or Public, the next step is to determine the type of event you want to host. Maybe you envision sharing a formal sit-down meal with a few friends and other civic-minded residents, or perhaps a picnic or barbecue is more your style. Or maybe it’s a gathering at your local church or community center. The choice is yours.

Preparing for Your At the Table Colorado Conversation
LOCATION

Conversations can take place anywhere – at a public library, local restaurant, businesses, churches, rec centers, museums, parks, schools, non-profits, synagogues, public buildings, homeless shelters, media outlets, mosques, senior centers or other community locations. When planning your conversation, consider the best atmosphere that you can create for honest and open conversation. The more relaxed that your guests are, the better the conversation will be.

Location Tips:
  • When planning your conversation, whether Private or Public, please keep accessibility and parking in mind when choosing your site.
  • If your conversation is being held in a public space, print out the Table Tent template to help your Guests find you.
REFRESHMENTS

Like the location, refreshment choices are also up to you; they may range from light snacks to full meals and everything in between. It can be anything from a catered meal paid for by the host, splitting the check at a restaurant, a home-cooked meal or a potluck where each guest brings a dish to contribute. BYFJF (Bring Your Favorite Junk Food) is very popular, chips, cookies, pizza, and ice cream—it’s all fair game! Harvest meals are popular with gardeners and local foodies. Have fun with it! Sharing food and drink sets the stage for the conversation to follow so choose something that will help bring your group together to listen and share.

Potluck Tips:
  • Have labels and markers available to tag each dish so everyone knows what’s on the table.
  • If you are providing the refreshments, ask your Guests to let you know about any dietary restrictions.
INVITING YOUR GUESTS

As mentioned, planning for a Private Conversation and Public Conversation is almost the same, but inviting your Guests is slightly different for each. If you are Hosting a Conversation, you will invite all your Guests; if you are Hosting a Public Conversation, your Guests will register online at the At the Table Colorado website.

Private Conversation vs. Public Conversation

Private Conversation Invitation Tips:
  • Use our invitation template; it is a printable PDF that can be mailed or cut and pasted into an email.
  • Invite 2 friends that don’t know each other, that are interested in your issue/topic and then each of you invite 2 other people for a mix of old and new friends.
Promote your Public Conversation Tips:
  • Use our Poster templates to promote your Table conversation. Choose the poster that best fits your community, fill in the details of your conversation, print as many as you need and put up at your house of worship, workplace, public library, local coffee shop or rec center. The possibilities are limitless. Poster template 1 or Poster template 2.
  • Post your Table conversation on your social media with a link to the Register to Participate in a Conversation page to encourage people to register.

Keep in Mind:

The optimal number of people per conversation is 8-10. At the Table Colorado is about giving everyone a chance to share their voice and be heard. Groups larger than 10 people tend to break into smaller groups, dividing one powerful conversation into many disjointed conversations.

If you know more than 10 people who would like to participate in a conversation, please ask a friend or friends to partner with you in Co-Hosting the conversation so that you can each Host a table of only 8-10 people. The conversations can still happen at the same location, but make sure you have space for participants to break into groups of 8-10. If there are several Tables at one location, please make sure that each Table has its own Host, Note-taker and reserve time at the end for everyone to share the high points of their conversations.

Also, when inviting guests, we encourage you to have a good mix of different experiences and perspectives. Consider inviting some people who you may not spend much time with socially. Use this as an opportunity to extend your network past your normal routine. In fact, you may consider inviting people you don’t know at all.

AT THE TABLE

Guiding Your Conversation

At the Table Colorado is about generating open, thoughtful conversations that will spark new relationships and new ways of working together by deepening our understanding of each other. Emphasis is not on finding immediate solutions, but rather on creating authentic human connection and civic engagement through conversation. This empowers people to work together to create the change they wish to see. All ideas are welcome, and Your Voice Matters, Colorado!

The conversation can focus on any issue/topic you choose, or you can see what topic develops organically as the group shares their voices. While you may put together a group that will quickly and naturally settle on an area of shared interest, it is best if the conversation is open and natural, which may mean multiple topics are discussed.

Conversation Tips:
  • Have nametags and markers handy for your Guests.
  • Include your usernames and other social media information on your nametags.
  • Print out the At the Table Colorado Placemat Template for your guests to take notes.
  • Have extra pens or pencils on hand.
  • Email the link to Guest Tools to your invitees before your conversation or printout a few for them to review before your discussion gets started.
OPENING THE CONVERSATION
  • First, introduce yourself. Share your name, background, and why you decided to be a Host for At the Table Colorado. Perhaps add a quick fun fact about yourself to further break the ice.
  • Second, invite your guests to introduce themselves and talk about what brings them to the Table. Ask them to share a similar fun fact about themselves.
  • Third, urge your guests to stay focused during the conversation.
  • Fourth, encourage guests to share their thoughts and their ideas for working together to create a strong and connected community.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CONVERSATION
  • First, start with an open-ended question, such as —how can we work together to build a stronger, connected community? Encourage guests to reflect on possibilities rather than dwell on already identified challenges. Promote creative and productive thinking.
  • Second, warm up the guests. Consider asking guests to identify their favorite thing about Colorado or your community. Or perhaps you may ask the guests to share what they’d most like to change. This helps everyone get into the conversation while providing focus.
  • Third, consider the conversation as a journey where the process is as important as the destination. Be willing and prepared to take detours along the way. Help your guests reflect on what they value most and consider the choices and tradeoffs related to their ideas.
  • Fourth, most importantly, remind your guests that conversations are as much about listening and learning as they are about talking. Make sure all ideas are invited and all voices are heard.
CONVERSATION PROMPTS

We’ve compiled a list of suggested prompts that you may want to use to kick off and guide your conversations. You do not have to use these. They are simply ideas that may help you steer your group in a productive direction.

  1. What are the best things about our community and how can we build on them?
  2. What does our community need and what steps, no matter how small, can we take to meet those needs?
  3. What can we do to make a positive impact in our community?
  4. What would you like to learn from the others in this conversation?
  5. What commitment can we make, big or small, to better our community?
TIPS FOR YOUR CONVERSATION
DO
  • Do host the event at a comfortable, inviting place where all your guests will feel welcome.
  • Do encourage everyone to participate by talking, listening, and learning from each other.
  • Do promote creative and productive dialogue, rather than focusing on negativity.
  • Do invite guests to expand on their ideas.
  • Do take notes and encourage guests to do the same by using the ATTC Placemat Template and having extra pens and pencils available.
  • Do share your ideas, photos, and topics on social media using #AtTheTableColorado, after the conversation.
  • Do exchange contact information so your group can keep in touch in the future.
DON’T
  • Don’t micromanage the conversation; let it flow freely.
  • Don’t be judgmental or dismissive of any person’s comments or ideas.
  • Don’t promote complaints, arguments, or unproductive debates; these conversations should not dwell on what is wrong but rather what will make us better.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
  • Don’t be nervous; conversations should be casual, comfortable, and fun.
  • Don’t stop sharing when your conversation ends; keep discussing your ideas with colleagues, friends, and neighbors, or on social media using #AtTheTableColorado
CLOSING YOUR CONVERSATION
  • Take a few final minutes to share feedback from your notes and review any possible action steps that may have been generated by the conversation with your guests.
  • Finalize follow-up plans to your discussion, such as planning to meet again to continue the conversation or next steps if you’ve developed an action plan.
  • Exchange contact information so your group can keep in touch in the future.
  • Thank your Guests for participating in At the Table Colorado.
  • Complete the At the Table Colorado survey with your Guests either digitally or in hard copy. Collect the hard copies from your Guests.
FINISHING

At the Table Colorado is about giving everyone who cares about their community a voice and an opportunity to share their ideas — big and small. For At the Table Colorado to have the greatest impact it is vital that you and your guests share your feedback with us. We want to continue the forward momentum and build on the collaborations the conversations have generated, so we have a brief survey we would like you to complete with your attendees.

THE SURVEY

The survey will provide insight to conversation trends, common themes and new partnerships as we continue to work together. The results of the survey will also help inform future At the Table Colorado events.

You will receive a link to the survey as well as a printable, hard copy PDF, via email before your Table event. Please share with your guests.

If you use the printed surveys, please return as soon as possible to:

At the Table Colorado
c/o Trailhead Institute
1385 S Colorado Blvd, #A622
Denver, CO 80222

AFTER YOUR CONVERSATION

In today’s world, coming together has never been more important. We hope your At the Table Colorado conversation connects you, your guests, and our larger community in a new way. Listening to and learning from each other is an important first step toward empowering people to create the change they wish to see in their communities. You have enabled your community to take that first step by Hosting an At the Table Colorado conversation. Thank you!

Your Voice Matters Colorado!

Feel free to share any additional information not requested by the survey via email to ideas@atthetablecolorado.org

KEEP IN TOUCH

We hope At the Table Colorado is only a starting point in sparking conversations, and that you and your Guests are inspired to continue to listen to and learn from each other. We hope you stay in contact with your Guests and continue the conversations by setting up additional get-togethers or talking with others who may be interested in the ideas your group shares. At the Table Colorado is about community building and is always open for conversation because Your Voice Matters, Colorado!

Keep in Touch Tip:
  • Share usernames and other social media information with Guests by writing it on the placemats before your conversation starts.
  • Your guests can easily share their notes with you and each other by taking photos of the placemats with their phones.
  • Email your Guests a thank you for attending the conversation.

TRAININGS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS

In addition to this toolkit, there will be online training webinars and Facebook live discussions. As a registered Host/Guest you will receive email updates as plans develop. We will also post the information on the At the Table Colorado website and our social media as well.

Please view our Events page for more information.

QUESTIONS?

Contact us at: attc@atthetablecolorado.org

SHARING IDEAS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media Tip:
  • Share usernames and other social media information on your name tags.

Before and after your conversation, share your excitement about At the Table Colorado and some of your observations about the experience. Include photos or videos that you take or create with your group and encourage the others at your Table to do the same. While social media should be a supplement to, not a focus of, your conversation, it’s a great way to extend connections with your group and to continue the discussion online, even after the physical conversation has ended. After all, we hope you walk away from the conversation with new friends!

SOCIAL MEDIA IDEAS:
  • Post a fun photo with your group gathered around your table #ATTCSelfie.
  • Capture a powerful quote from the conversation and share it with a picture of the person who said it.
  • Share the general topic of your conversation and your group’s top idea for making the community stronger and more connected.
  • Post a photo with a new friend and tag them!
  • Connect with your group on social media; mention or tag them using their usernames.
  • Share your group’s thoughts on how to make a positive impact in your community #InItForGoodColorado.
  • Be sure to include #AtTheTableColorado and #YourVoiceMattersColorado with all your social media posts!
CONNECT WITH AT THE TABLE COLORADO ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: facebook.com/atthetablecolorado

Twitter: @AtTheTableCO

Instagram: @AtTheTableColorado

Hashtag: #AtTheTableColorado #YourVoiceMattersColorado #ATTCYouthVoices #InItForGoodColorado #ColoradoConversations #ATTCSelfie

When posting news of your event on social media please use the hashtags #AtTheTableColorado and #YourVoiceMattersColorado.