Reading World Café

Date:
Wed. Feb. 27th, 2008
6:30pm - 10pm

Location:
Field House
Reading Memorial High School

Contact Info:
Email: readingworldcafe@yahoo.com

LET'S TALK READING!

Reading World Cafe a Huge Success
A warm thanks to all who helped make the Reading World Café a success! There were 217 participants ranging from HS students to Senior Citizens, business people, town volunteers, a variety of organizations, parents of every aged kid, members of local churches, and others.

Click here to see the Harvest Summary from the event.

The Harvest Summary begins with a brief overview of highlights and themes from the Harvest, and is followed by a full transcript from all the sticky notes generated.

Photos
View photos from the event on Flickr.

Graphic Recording
The Graphic Recording by Kelvy Bird and the Harvest "eggs" are currently on display at the Library - go and check it out!
View the Graphic Recording online

Next Steps
Community Connection was one of the prominent themes of the Harvest, showing up in many different ways. There will be ongoing discussions about the outcomes of the RWC, and you should be hearing and seeing more about the impact over the next several weeks.

What is the World Cafe?
Reading friends and neighbors held an inclusive community dialogue to explore:

What Can Reading Also Be?
What do we want for the future of our town?
What dreams, opportunities and dilemmas are present?
What steps can we start to take to get what we collectively want?

World Café Process

The World Café is a structured conversation process that allows large groups of people to talk courteously together about their desires for the future of Reading. Following simple guidelines, participants discuss key questions in small groups at separate tables. The small groups shift and the conversation evolves as people change tables, share insights and perspectives, and discover what is commonly believed, desired and valued by community members. We will harvest emerging ideas from the discussion to identify dreams, opportunities, dilemmas and the next steps for getting what we collectively want.

For more information, please read our FAQs (available in pdf format) and visit The World Café website.

Evening Schedule

6:30-7pm	Coffee & dessert reception with performance by TBA
7pm	Conversation promptly begins
9:30-10pm	Post conversation reception with mingling and music by TBA

Don’t miss this remarkable event! To join the conversation, please register online or call (phone number coming soon).

How can I help?

We are looking for volunteers the day of the event to help:

Set up tables & chairs – afternoon 2/27
Break down tables & chairs – immediately following conversation
Prepare refreshments for the gathering

If you are interested in helping, please email us at readingworldcafe@yahoo.com.

Reading World Café Materials

FAQ - Detailed answers to all your questions

Flyer - 1 page handout

Short announcement for reproduction in newsletters/emails/invitations

Reading World Café on RCTV: Watch "Community Conversation: Reading World Café,” hosted by Kevin Vendt, with School Committee member David Michaud, Selectmen Chair James Bonazoli and Reading World Café event coordinators Deborah Gilburg and Priscilla Hollenbeck, who discuss the upcoming community conversation. Click here to watch video on YouTube.

Reading World Café Supporters
This community conversation is supported by a number of organizations and individuals in town who have agreed to endorse, promote and attend the conversation.

Board of Selectmen Church of the Good Shepherd Cities for Climate Protection

Creative Arts Cultural Connection Democratic Town Comm.

Economic Dev. Comm. Reading Gymnastics EMARC

Finance Committee First Baptist Church First Congregational Church

Friends of Reading Rec Garden Club Coolidge PTO

Methodist Church Newcomers & Neighbors RMHS Student Council

Office of Town Manager RCTV Reading Advocate

Reading Coop Bank Reading Cultural Council Reading Garden Club

Reading PEP Reading Public Schools Reading School Committee

Reading Times Chronicle Colonial Manor Realty Burbank YMCA

Young Women's League Walkable Reading St. Agnes Parish

Unitarian Universalist Church RMHS PTO Killam School PTO

Joshua Eaton School PTO Wood End School PTO Birch Meadow PTO

Coalition Against Substance Abuse RPS Office of Superintendent Korean Church of the Nazarene

RISE PTN Reading Public Library Council on Aging

Silver Legislature Rotary Club

Special Thanks to:

Friends of Reading Rec (use of website)
Dennis Hart Studios (graphic design)
YMCA (free babysitting during the event)
Merel Abruzzese (marketing and web design)
Kelvy Bird (volunteer Graphic Recorder for event)
Barbara Heinemann (coordinator of volunteers)
Monette Verrier (RSVP coordinator)

And the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Town Managers Office and the Office of the Superintendent for their support.

Reading World Café Planning Committee

Deborah Gilburg
Kerry Dunnell
Priscilla Hollenbeck
Peter Hechenbleikner
Elaine Webb
Lisa Gibbs
Pat Schettini