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The Art of Inviting
What will attract people to your conversation? How can you attract
a range of people, including those who think differently from you.
Here are some thoughts.
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Make it personal: there is hard-to resist
power in extended a direct, personal invitation. When we feel specially
sought out, we respond to the connection
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Make it inviting: choose a place, location
and time that is appealing and convenient. Will the venue be perceived
as neutral and approachable by a range of people? Libraries and
community centers are great choices. Cafes can work - although some
cafes may be perceived as a comfort zone for one 'type' of participant
and too out of the norm for others.
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Make it compelling: express the spirit of
your inspiration for putting out the call. What question will you
explore? Why does this have heart and meaning for you?
A direct personal invitation to someone you know -- stating clearly
and respectfully that you're concerned about the political divisions
in America -- is a powerful way to open up a dialogue about the state
of our democracy. And it's probably easier than you think. You can
add that you want to better understand why they think the way they
do, what shaped their political views, and (this is important) that
you're not out to change their mind.
Posting your conversation on our meeting tool is just the first step.
There are lots of ways to draw people to your conversation. Here are
a few suggestions:
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Email your friends using the "Tell a Friend" page
on our website at http://connect.letstalkamerica.org/tellafriend/
" Post announcements on local online calendars like Craig's List
(http://craigslist.org), and email listserves and discussion lists.
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Post flyers on lampposts and bulletin boards at
your neighborhood coffee shop, market, laundromat, library, church,
or community center.
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Call your neighbors, or just knock on their door
and invite them. Print and deliver some of the fold
up invitations.
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Same goes for friends, family, and coworkers.
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Send notices to local newspapers and media, especially
the little neighborhood papers (go to the PR/media section that
will soon be up on the website for samples)
How do you attract diversity of views?
We have found that taking extra steps to attract people who don't
share your political views makes for an even richer experience, and
goes to the heart of what LTA is about -- building respect and understanding
across the divide in this "house divided" that is America. Here are
some of the strategies that are working for hosts around the country:
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Find a person with a different perspective to co-host
with you. That person can then issue their personal invitation to
their networks
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Do some 'cold calling' to organizations and people
such as Young Republicans, Women Democrats, precinct captains, state
legislators, city council member, Rotary etc. reaching out to those
whose views go beyond your usual circles
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Think of people you work with, study with, worship
with, who are different from you in other than political ways: often
different socio-economic, age and ethnic groups will also bring
greater diversity of thinking
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Go where there is a built-in group of diverse people,
such as a college campus, PTA, church or synagogue or Chamber of
Commerce
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If your Let's Talk America conversation doesn't
have the diversity of opinion you want, ask the group, 'Who isn't
here?' Brainstorm together how to expand the circle and encourage
everyone to commit to bring someone with a different perspective
to your next Let's Talk America conversation
We are all learning how to refine this Art of Inviting, so please
share your learnings and success stories to help us all develop our
skills! For general suggestions, you can email us at talk@letstalkamerica.org
To report on any conversation you have hosted, just click on Host
Feedback (http://www.letstalkamerica.org/feedback).
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