The most useful conversations of this campaign have not happened at big events. They have happened in living rooms and on driveways, with six or eight neighbours and a pot of tea.
Why small gatherings work better
At a large event, a handful of people speak and everyone else listens. In a living room, everyone talks. The person who would never take a microphone is the person who tells you about the drainage problem on their street that has been ignored for four years.
Small rooms also make it harder to be vague. If I give an answer that does not hold up, someone will say so to my face. That is exactly what I want.
What hosting actually involves
- Invite whoever you like — neighbours, family, your street group. Six to twelve people is ideal.
- Any evening or weekend afternoon. An hour is plenty.
- Your home, a backyard, a community room, a coffee shop corner. Whatever suits you.
- No presentation, no slides, no set agenda. People ask, I answer.
- You do not need to agree with me. Some of the best meetings have been with people who did not.
What happens afterwards
I write down every specific issue raised. If it is something I can look into before the election, I look into it and report back to the person who raised it. If it is something for Council, it goes on the list I am building for my first year.
If you would like to host one, let us know through the Get Involved form and we will find a date that works.