We are preparing for the next Let’s Go Together gathering this week. The food is ordered, supplies are ready, and we are working on table assignments. Table facilitators are getting ready.
So far, we have 80 people registered! These registrants come from many wisdom traditions, cultures, economic circumstances, life experiences, ages, and identities.
The first year, we spent 18 months in conversations with leaders from many communities, we gathered a group of willing leaders, and slowly built trust for the first year. (You can see brief videos from last year here.)
This year was different. That is not to say it took less work. After our three successful events last year, we
- Assessed participant questionnaires
- Evaluated with over 20 members of the Let’s Go Together Council
- Held five Let’s Go Together Meetups – times for participants and Council members to interact
- Asked participants and Council members to invite the next round
More than any of these, we asked last year’s participants to share their experiences, to go to each other’s group gatherings, and to find ways to support each other.
As I look at the list for our second round of Let’s Go Together, I see signs of organic growth.
We don’t use social media. We use human networks and human connections to grow. We need to remember how to connect with each other, across tables and across our group identities.
Since we have been human, we have gathered in this way.
I am so excited about this second year’s gatherings. I am excited for that moment when we turn toward each other over food and conversation and recognize our humanity in each other.