Simple Community Engagement Event
Project Description
There are many ways to organize simple community events to generate discussion and engagement in local climate action and solutions. For example, Camden Climate Action Now grew out of monthly community discussions at the local library that were opportunities for local residents to come together and talk about climate change. A Climate to Thrive grew out of monthly potlucks focused on discussing climate change. In recent years, ACTT, has gravitated towards “Pizza in the Park” events at which free pizza is provided in a picnic environment and community members are invited to bring topics for discussion related to local climate action.
As the examples above suggest, community members appreciate the opportunity to reflect on their feelings about climate change in a group setting and a sense of community is sometimes the missing element to empower community members to become more actively engaged in solutions. Open discussions are also a great opportunity for your group to gauge community attitudes about climate change, which solutions the community is interested in, and what types of programs/events might be well-received in the future. It is always helpful to offer food as an incentive for attendance and it is helpful to create an atmosphere that is almost celebratory, focused on what can be done through community power.
Key considerations:
Community readiness
Easygoing and informal. These events are especially useful for building initial trust and sparking interest in climate issues without requiring prior knowledge or commitment. It is important to note that these events can also be a great place to start in communities that might not be focused on “climate action” but have other, interrelated concerns. Taking time to really understand the language that will resonate in the local community will help match the event to community readiness.
Resources
“Community-Owned Solar Guidebook” developed by the People’s Solar Energy Fund
Facilitation examples (pages 3-4)
Tools for active engagement (pages 7-9)
Working Agreements (pages 10-11)
Cost
Low to free. Main costs include food (if offered) and printing for outreach materials (flyers, posters, etc.). You may be able to offset costs through local sponsorships or donations—businesses, faith communities, or neighborhood associations are often open to supporting community events. Focus on finding an accessible meeting space that is free to help keep costs low.
Time Requirement
Approximately 10 hours, spread between identifying date, time, location, food (if offered), facilitation format, coordinating outreach, and the actual event itself. .
People Power
At least one facilitator (ideally someone with experience and/or comfort facilitating) and one person for outreach/promotion.
Additional volunteers can help with logistics like setup, clean-up, managing sign-ins, and serving food.
Consider asking someone to document takeaways or gather feedback.
How to:
Set a Date, Time, and Location
Choose a central, accessible space with seating available or plan to provide seating. Consider parking and access questions. It can be best to pick a neutral, trusted space like a library or a park.
If gathering outdoors, consider shade, weather conditions, and restroom access. Secure a backup rain date or indoor location in case of bad weather.
Pick a time that works for your target audience.
Promote the Event
Create posters and social media graphics.
Advertise in local newsletters, bulletin boards, and community Facebook groups.
Personally invite community members, including parents, students, and local leaders. Word-of-mouth communication is often most effective.
Encourage volunteers to be outreach ambassadors for the event, inviting their networks.
Focus on language that encourages attendance: when inviting community members personally, connect their expertise and the importance of their perspective and insight to the goals of the event.
Secure Food and additional supplies
If you are providing food, determine if you will seek donations, purchase the food, or if volunteers will be making the food.
Consider dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options).
Bring napkins, plates, and a trash bag for cleanup or provide reusable plates and a bin to collect for washing.
Prepare for Facilitation
Choose a discussion theme (e.g., “Solutions for lowering energy costs” “Solutions for better transportation in our community” "Intergenerational collaboration on climate action”, “Local flooding and how to prepare”).
Prepare open-ended questions to guide the conversation. (Check resources for facilitation examples and tools for engagement in the Facilitation Guide)
Plan for how you will ensure that participants all have the chance to speak/that one person does not dominate the conversation. Consider beginning with group agreements (template below).
Bring a sign-in sheet to collect emails for future engagement.
Note: at ACTT’s Pizza in the Park events, notecards are passed around with pens and participants write a topic for discussion related to local climate action. The cards are placed in a container and drawn out one at a time, with around 3-4 cards covered in one hour.
Host the Event
Welcome attendees and explain the purpose of the gathering.
Distribute food and encourage informal mingling before starting the discussion.
Use guiding questions to facilitate conversation but allow natural dialogue to flow.
Take notes or record key themes and ideas that emerge.
Follow Up & Keep the Momentum Going
Share photos and highlights from the event on social media (with permission).
Email attendees to thank them and invite them to future events.
Reflect on what worked well and what could be improved for next time.
Consider how attendees might be interested in more engagement, like volunteering, and if potential projects or community priorities emerged from the event.