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A Community Table

Register now to host a table on April 10th!

 

A Community Table is an annual one-day event that brings small groups together across the globe to share their aspirations for creating Thriving Communities. 

On April 10, 2019, people will gather in groups of 8-12 to discuss shared aspirations for increasing economic opportunity in our communities. Table hosts and participants are invited to engage in table conversations in their favorite community locations. Table conversations can be held in local restaurants and establishments, places of worship, community centers, schools, libraries, and private residences. Hosts can choose when and where they would like to hold a mealtime conversation and what food options to provide.Topics might include expanding education access, improving infrastructure, fulfilling employment rights, decreasing poverty, and more. These aspirations will inform what collective actions DU Grand Challenges take to increase economic opportunity.

In 2017-2018, A Community Table focused on improve daily living in our communities. The aspirations generated by participants helped shape the creation of four Collective Impact Cohorts charged with tackling issues central to daily living.

A Community Table is modeled after The Chicago Community Trust's On The Table event. We offer our sincere thanks to the Trust for their encouragement and support for replicating their model.

Host A Community Table Event

Registration for the 2019 A Community Table event is now available here! 

Table hosts organize a conversation for 8-12 people. Conversations can be held in local restaurants and establishments, places of worship, community centers, schools, libraries and private residences. Hosts can choose when and where they would like to hold a mealtime conversation and what food options to provide.

Hosts are responsible for:

  • Securing a location and determining a time for folks to meet on April 10, 2019
  • Reviewing the Table Host Guide and participating in a training webinar. The training will be recorded and available to watch online.
  • Communicating with table participants about all event details 
  • Facilitating conversation during the event and distributing provided materials
  • Encouraging participants to share photos, videos, and ideas through social media

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is A Community Table and why should I participate?

    DU Grand Challenges is a family of programs that will bring together university and community change-makers to address the most difficult and far-reaching issues facing our society today. Guided by the theme "Thriving Communities", the first issue we are working to address is improving daily living in our communities. Through A Community Table 2018, you have been part of the conversation to build aspirations for improving daily living together. We will be launching actions that have been informed by your ideas in early fall.

    The second issue we are focusing on increasing economic opportunity in our communities. To build aspirations together, DU is asking alumni, faculty, students and community members to host a mealtime conversation as part of A Community Table on April 10, 2019. A Community Table is an ambitious, one-day event to bring small groups together across the globe to share aspirations for increasing economic opportunity in our communities. This could include expanding education access, improving infrastructure, fulfilling employment rights, decreasing poverty and more. These aspirations will inform what collective actions DU Grand Challenges will select to increase economic opportunity.

    A Community Table can take place over breakfast, lunch, dinner or any time in-between. The invite list is up to the table host. On-line training, conversation prompts and materials are provided to hosts as well.

  • What does a table host need to do?

    Hosts are responsible for:

    • Securing a location and determining a time for folks to meet on April 10, 2019
    • Reviewing the Table Host Guide and participating in a training webinar. The training will be recorded and available to watch online.
    • Communicating with table participants about all event details 
    • Facilitating conversation during the event and distributing provided materials
    • Encouraging participants to share photos, videos, and ideas through social media
  • What materials will be provided to table hosts?

    Table hosts will be provided:

    • Facilitation prompts to help spark ideas related to increasing economic opportunities in our communities
    • An invitation template to send to participants
    • Access to a short webinar with information about creating space for a successful conversation
    • A host toolkit including a tote bag, notebooks, guidebook, and more
  • Where will I host my table and who will I invite? How will participants register to attend my table?

    Tables can be hosted in a private residence or a public venue and the invite list is up to you. Hosts who choose where they would like to hold their conversations and at what time. OpenTable can help locate venues that will accommodate a variety of needs. If necessary, table hosts also have the option to reserve space at the University of Denver.

    We encourage hosts to invite friends, family, colleagues and neighbors. Sharing conversations with community groups by co-hosting your event with a local place of worship or nonprofit is also a good option. Ask your guests to come alone or bring a partner or friend. Eight to twelve guests per table is ideal. A Community Table is about giving everyone a chance to speak and be heard.

  • Are there resources available to help me provide food for participants?

    Yes! If providing food presents a barrier to hosting A Community Table, we have you covered. DU Grand Challenges has partnered with Comal Heritage Food Incubator, Maddie's Restaurant, Cafe 180, and Sun Valley Kitchen to provide fresh, delicious snacks for hosts who need them. Simply indicate on the Host Registration the partner from whom you will pick up a snack box. Please note that snack boxes must be picked up at the partner's location.They cannot be delivered. 

  • What should A Community Table gathering look like?

    Hosts are encouraged to be creative. You can have breakfast, lunch, dinner or whatever you want, wherever you want – from coffee, to a catered or home-cooked meal, a potluck or a brown-bag lunch. The priority is to create an atmosphere conducive to meaningful conversation. The possibilities for what your table looks like are endless. Check out some of the table photos from A Community Table 2018 here. 

  • What happens with the ideas that come from our Table conversation?

    Table hosts will be provided with a list of question prompts. A Community Table question prompts are meant to help table hosts guide their table conversations toward a specific aspiration related to the DU Grand Challenges issue for this year, increasing economic opportunity. Notes collected from tables and social media will be used to inform and prioritize measurable actions. 

  • What is expected of participants during and after A Community Table gathering?

    We encourage all participants to share their aspirations, insights, photos and videos from your gathering through social media using #DUGrandChallenges. At the conclusion of A Community Table on April 10, 2019 we'll ask every host to complete a short survey to learn more about their discussion.

    All A Community Table participants can opt-in to receive an electronic copy of the summary report detailing the aspirations that people shared and what actions will be taken. All participants will also be invited to be a part of future events related to DU Grand Challenges.

  • How do I register to become a host?

    Registration for A Community Table 2019 is available here. 

  • Who can I contact with questions?

    For questions contact DU Grand Challenges Program Manager, Katie Kleinhesselink at [email protected] or (303) 871-3865