View source for Ideas how to facilitate community health at live events

The purpose of this page is to collect ideas and tips how to boost community health at live events. Community health means creating a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere for oldtimers and newbies alike.

How to use this wiki:
* fill in symptoms and causes
* second: state principles
* third: add your ideas.


== Symptoms and causes for un-collaborative events ==
* Shyness of attendees
* cold atmosphere
* difficult for newcomers to access 
* people are only socializing with other people they already know

== Principles for "healthy" events ==
* Don't imprison people (in rooms, agenda, session type, formats)
* Make event hackable 
* Show value, beauty, health of event
* Events should facilitate networking, making new contacts

== Ideas ==
* provide spaces for alternatives processes
* plan walking sessions
* have dedicated spaces for informal chats and conversations (sofas, beanbags etc.)
* make breaks long enough so that people actually have time for informal conversations
* make the space beautiful and welcoming (lightening, flowers, posters, furniture, fruits)
* explain goals and process explicitly and allow for feedback and alternative ideas ("we're doing X, 'cos we think it helps Y, but if you have a better idea, put it on the feedback wall, ask it, do it")
* feedback poster wall (This is working/this is not working)
* speed dating sessions
* Yellow cards ("don't talk to the same person twice ;)")
* "I'd like to talk about..."-name badges (or: "My favourite movie/book is...")
* "I need/ I want..."-stickers
* have a tea corner for more philosophical discussions
* arrange a treasure hunt
* [http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Global_Melt/Sparklez Sparklez]
* have a "Maker table" to create your own swag (knitting, badge making mini kit, customize your conference t-shirt)
* have "I'm bored"-hats available (not in sessions!)
* elect 5 random happiness spies (that help the organizer to get feedback about the atmosphere)
* provide spaces with rules or topics but no facilitator
* arrange little dinner parties (book tables for 6-8 people at different restaurants, let people sign up for those tables)
* use labels for your activities that promote friendliness (e.g. you're not picking a table in a restaurant, but you're hosting a dinner party)