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A Community Table

Save the date for the third 'A Community Table' on April 20-April 24, 2020!

This year, "A Community Table' is a week-long event that brings small groups together across the globe to have meaningful conversations about how we can work together to create Thriving Communities. In April, people will gather in groups of 8-12 to share ideas for advancing deliberation and action for the public good. The ideas you come up with will help inform the actions DU Grand Challenges takes in the coming year.

Conversation hosts choose when and where they would like to hold their conversations and what food options to provide. We will also partner with local vendors to provide snacks for your conversations. When registration opens, you will be able to let us know from where you want to pick up your snack box.

Share a meal and share your ideas for increasing economic opportunity in our neighborhoods, our cities and our world. 

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 Conversation

Registration for the 2020 A Community Table will be available soon.

Table hosts organize a conversation for 8-12 people at a time and location of their choosing from April 20-24. Hosts can also opt to pick up food from a local vendor --just indicate which vendor on the registration form. 

Hosts are responsible for:

  • Picking a time and location for folks to meet.
  • Inviting guests (whoever you want!)
  • Reviewing the Table Host Guide and watching a short training webinar.
  • Communicating with your guests about where/when you'll meet
  • Facilitating your conversation during the week of April 20.
  • Encouraging participants to share photos, videos, and ideas through social media

Registered Tables

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I host A Community Table conversation?

    DU Grand Challenges (DUGC) 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. 

    We are building aspirations for DUGC programming around increasing economic opportunity. A Community Table brings small groups together across the globe to share food and engage in conversation about increasing economic opportunity in our communities. Conversations can take place over breakfast, lunch, dinner or any time in-between.The invite list and conversation location are up to the host. 

    After the conversation, participants share their ideas with DUGC.  Those ideas will inform the collective actions DU Grand Challenges will select to increase economic opportunity.

     

  • How do I register to become a host?

    Registration for A Community Table 2019 is available here. 

  • What does a conversation host 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 watching a short training video.
    • Inviting people to participate (make sure to tell them when and where you'll meet!)
    • Facilitating the conversation and distributing provided materials
    • Encouraging participants to share photos, videos, and ideas through social media

    Check out some of the table photos from A Community Table 2018 here. 

  • What materials will be provided to hosts?

    Hosts receive:

    You'll also receive a host kit that contains swag to share with participants, a tote bag, a copy of the guidebook, and more!

  • Where will I host my conversation and who should I invite?

    You can host your conversation.wherever and whenever you like. Your home, a restaurant, a park--it's up to you. OpenTable can help locate venues that will accommodate a variety of needs. If necessary, you also have the option to reserve space at the University of Denver.

    We encourage hosts to invite friends, family, colleagues and neighbors. Consider asking your guests to 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.

  • What if I want to host more than one conversation?

    No problem! You can host as many tables as you want throughout the day. Just complete one registration form per table.

  • 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, Osage Cafe 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 happens with the ideas that come from our Table conversation?

    Hosts will be provided with a list of question prompts to help guide their conversations toward a specific aspirations for  increasing economic opportunity. DUGC collects conversation notes, surveys, and social media posts to determine what actions we will take to increase economic opportunity.

    The ideas generated in last years A Community Table are on their way to implementation. With grants from the University and the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, four Collective Impact Cohorts have united faculty, staff, students and community members to create measurable change and improve daily living in our communities.

    Now is your chance to make an impact around increasing economic opportunity. Gather your group. Host your table. Start your conversation. Join community and DU thought leaders around the world on April 10, as we strive to address these pressing issues with input, insight and community

  • 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.

  • What is the registration deadline?

    Table hosts are asked to register by April 1 if they would like their host kits to be mailed to them. Table hosts can still register after April 1, but will be asked to pick up a host kit from the Center for Community Engagement to advance Scholarship and Learning (CCESL) which is located in Driscoll South, Suite 22. 

  • Who can I contact with questions?

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