Online
A short conversation can include people living away. A link, date, and clear invitation will be published here once an event is arranged.
The Long Return Institute / Community Commons
The conversation can leave the screen.
An invitation to meet online or in person when dates and willing hosts are available, without a mandatory meeting format.
Looking for events already happening?
The surrounding communities have school events, markets, library programs, and public gatherings. You can discover them without waiting for the Commons to organize a meetup.
Find community events →It can be simple.
A pleasant gathering might be coffee and conversation, a shared reading, a walk in a public place, a community publishing workshop, or a short online discussion. There is no requirement to hold an official meeting, record anyone, or produce a report.
In person
Meet in a public, accessible place with permission from its host. The location and format can reflect what people are comfortable doing.
Nothing is scheduled yet. This is an open invitation to suggest topics and possible gatherings, not an announcement of an event that has already been arranged.
One optional way to host
The Institute has already explored a simple 20/20/20 pattern. Use it when helpful; a casual gathering can be just as worthwhile.
- 20 minutes — ShareA resource, a question, something someone has been working on, or a few introductions.
- 20 minutes — ConverseHear what different people think. Give room to people who speak less. Disagreement is welcome without intimidation.
- 20 minutes — Carry forwardShare useful links, ask whether anyone wants another gathering, and close on time. Notes are optional and require permission.
Adapt this to the people and occasion. An open invitation is not an invitation to speak on behalf of a band, Tribe, family, or organization.
Suggest a gathering
You can propose an idea even if you cannot host it. The Institute will decide which invitations it can realistically organize or publicize.
Existing tools for gathering
Living Room Conversations offers conversation guides. The Village Square offers another example of civic conversation. These are outside organizations to learn from, not Institute partners or sponsors.