The Art of Gathering book is useful for folks who organise events. The suggestions line up with my experiences of the best gatherings (workshops, retreats, hangouts, etc.) I have attended. You can get most of the value from reading a summary. Here’s mine:
decide why you’re really gathering
think less about the what and more about the why
commit to a bold, sharp, specific purpose
close doors
be willing to exclude people
don’t be a chill host
act with generous authority instead of following a hands-off approach to hosting
make guests do something even if this makes them slightly uncomfortable at times
create a temporary alternate world
design your gathering as a world that will only exist once
have explicit rules
never start a funeral with logistics
prime your guests and honour them on arrival
start with a gesture or activity that encapsulates the gathering’s purpose
keep your best self out of my gathering
encourage guests to share honestly and authentically (and lead by example)
cause good controversy
accept that there is an end
end gatherings well instead of letting them fizzle out
The Art of Gathering book is useful for folks who organise events. The suggestions line up with my experiences of the best gatherings (workshops, retreats, hangouts, etc.) I have attended. You can get most of the value from reading a summary. Here’s mine:
decide why you’re really gathering
think less about the what and more about the why
commit to a bold, sharp, specific purpose
close doors
be willing to exclude people
don’t be a chill host
act with generous authority instead of following a hands-off approach to hosting
make guests do something even if this makes them slightly uncomfortable at times
create a temporary alternate world
design your gathering as a world that will only exist once
have explicit rules
never start a funeral with logistics
prime your guests and honour them on arrival
start with a gesture or activity that encapsulates the gathering’s purpose
keep your best self out of my gathering
encourage guests to share honestly and authentically (and lead by example)
cause good controversy
accept that there is an end
end gatherings well instead of letting them fizzle out