# Community Kick off **URL:** \ **Category:** Getting Started\ **Created:** [March 24, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/community-kick-off/6053 "2017-03-24T13:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wayne\_Maceyka1](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wayne\_Maceyka1](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Wayne_Maceyka1)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/community-kick-off/6053/1 "2017-03-24T13:46:05Z")
Hey there; At long last we’re having a get together of folks interested in the space I’m working on at a local restaurant that’s helping get this going. It’s an afternoon of working in their space, followed by a “meet & greet” where I’ll share a vision for what we’re building, share preliminary membership levels and amenities, and solicit feedback. Then, we’re welcome to hang out and eat / imbibe together. Any thoughts on how to make thins first connection the best it can be? Event is next Tuesday 3/28, [http://hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com](http://hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com) Thanks! Kindly, Wayne Maceyka Hinesburg, VT Renewable Energy / Sustainability [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/737088760219881473/HxAJjTTw_400x400.jpg "HinesburgHUB")](http://www.hinesburghub.com/) [HinesburgHUB - Coworking+](http://www.hinesburghub.com/) [![visit my blog](https://www.blogger.com/img/start/icon.png "Check out my blog")](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) [Blog - (un)Sustainable Comments](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) [![let's connect on LinkedIn](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/LinkedIn_logo_initials.png/768px-LinkedIn_logo_initials.png "Connect on LinkedIn")](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) [Connect with LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) [![Bainbridge Graduate Institute - Changing Business for Good](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xsVyKiF7Ing/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAzs/ARS1quZYvMA/photo.jpg "Bainbridge Graduate Institute")](http://www.bgi.edu/) [Sustainable MBA](http://www.presidio.edu/) Mobile: 802-585-0909 ---
**Author:** ![alex](https://forum.coworking.org/user_avatar/forum.coworking.org/alex/32/338_2.png) [@alex](https://forum.coworking.org/u/alex)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/community-kick-off/6053/2 "2017-03-28T18:16:59Z")
Hey Wayne - looks like this is happening \*as we speak! \*I’d love to know how it’s going right now 🙂 if you get this during the meetup…report back! Your schedule for the day looks awesome. I especially like how you specifically carved out time for people to share a bit about themselves. Especially for these early gatherings, that can be SUPER valuable, just for people to discover what they have in common. Professional bits are good but it’s also good to get people talking about stuff besides work. Favorite music, favorite spot to go in town, etc etc. Also, something I always wish we did more of when “in motion” - take pictures! Candid stuff, group photos, selfies, whatever’s fun 🙂 Hope your day with new friends rocks! -Alex > **···** > > On Fri, Mar 24, 2017 at 9:46 AM, [wa...@renewacycle.com](mailto:wa...@renewacycle.com) wrote: > > > Hey there; > > > > At long last we’re having a get together of folks interested in the space I’m working on at a local restaurant that’s helping get this going. It’s an afternoon of working in their space, followed by a “meet & greet” where I’ll share a vision for what we’re building, share preliminary membership levels and amenities, and solicit feedback. Then, we’re welcome to hang out and eat / imbibe together. > > > > Any thoughts on how to make thins first connection the best it can be? Event is next Tuesday 3/28, http://[hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com](http://hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com) > > > Thanks! > > > > > > Kindly, > > Wayne Maceyka > > Hinesburg, VT > > Renewable Energy / Sustainability > > [HinesburgHUB - Coworking+](http://www.hinesburghub.com/) > > [![visit my blog](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9cad12f18bcfde9f760d02c219def223607ec2e4.png)](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) [Blog - (un)Sustainable Comments](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) > > [![let's connect on LinkedIn](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/c/cf54c8b001d89c7df0088a5952b3b2bbaaa69a19.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) [Connect with LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) > > [![Bainbridge Graduate Institute - Changing Business for Good](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5a1e16351e96b25fa62d192865d9e8ce48cdb7d0.png)](http://www.bgi.edu/) [Sustainable MBA](http://www.presidio.edu/) > > Mobile: 802-585-0909 > > > – > > > > Visit this forum on the web at [http://discuss.coworking.com](http://discuss.coworking.com) > > > > * * * > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group. > > > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [coworking+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:coworking+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). > > > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/d/optout](https://groups.google.com/d/optout). > > * * * > > **The #1 mistake in community building is doing it by yourself.** > > Better Coworkers: [http://indyhall.org](http://indyhall.org/) > > Weekly Coworking Tips: [http://coworkingweekly.com](http://coworkingweekly.com/) > > My Audiobook: [https://theindyhallway.com/ten](https://theindyhallway.com/ten) ---
**Author:** ![tonybgoode](https://forum.coworking.org/user_avatar/forum.coworking.org/tonybgoode/32/341_2.png) [@tonybgoode](https://forum.coworking.org/u/tonybgoode)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/community-kick-off/6053/3 "2017-03-28T19:06:40Z")
Hey Wayne, congrats! Some quick thoughts: **1. Listen listen listen!** Get to know people and really pay attention to what they have to say. Read notes from How to Win Friends and Influence People on this. **2. Have fun!** The main objective here is for people to want to do this again. **3. Keep expectations reasonable.** How many people show up simply gives you information you can use to adjust your plans going forward. Zero people is a hint you may need to change your approach or that the need simply isn’t there (unlikely but possible!). One person or more and you have found people who are so ready to try this thing that they’re willing to take a chance on something new. This means they could be not just potential members, but potential collaborators, partners, investors, supporters, or just plain big fans. Get to know these people well and keep an eye out for ways to expand the emotional ownership of the project! **4. Have a follow-up in mind.** Either have the next date and location ready, or a follow-up email (collect everyone’s emails, always) to solicit suggestions on next steps. Tony > **···** > > * * * > > [**New Work Cities**](http://nwc.co/consulting) • [**Coworking.org**](http://coworking.org/) > > Next mastermind group for new space owners kicks off in April! [Learn more](http://nwc.co/club) > > On Fri, Mar 24, 2017 at 7:53 AM [wa...@renewacycle.com](mailto:wa...@renewacycle.com) wrote: > > > Hey there; > > > > At long last we’re having a get together of folks interested in the space I’m working on at a local restaurant that’s helping get this going. It’s an afternoon of working in their space, followed by a “meet & greet” where I’ll share a vision for what we’re building, share preliminary membership levels and amenities, and solicit feedback. Then, we’re welcome to hang out and eat / imbibe together. > > > > Any thoughts on how to make thins first connection the best it can be? Event is next Tuesday 3/28, http://[hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com](http://hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com) > > > Thanks! > > > > > > Kindly, > > Wayne Maceyka > > Hinesburg, VT > > Renewable Energy / Sustainability > > [HinesburgHUB - Coworking+](http://www.hinesburghub.com/) > > [![visit my blog](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9cad12f18bcfde9f760d02c219def223607ec2e4.png "Check out my blog")](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) [Blog - (un)Sustainable Comments](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) > > [![let's connect on LinkedIn](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/c/cf54c8b001d89c7df0088a5952b3b2bbaaa69a19.png "Connect on LinkedIn")](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) [Connect with LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) > > [![Bainbridge Graduate Institute - Changing Business for Good](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5a1e16351e96b25fa62d192865d9e8ce48cdb7d0.png "Bainbridge Graduate Institute")](http://www.bgi.edu/) [Sustainable MBA](http://www.presidio.edu/) > > Mobile: 802-585-0909 > > > – > > > > Visit this forum on the web at [http://discuss.coworking.com](http://discuss.coworking.com) > > > > * * * > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group. > > > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [coworking+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:coworking+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). > > > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/d/optout](https://groups.google.com/d/optout). ---
**Author:** ![tonybgoode](https://forum.coworking.org/user_avatar/forum.coworking.org/tonybgoode/32/341_2.png) [@tonybgoode](https://forum.coworking.org/u/tonybgoode)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/community-kick-off/6053/4 "2017-03-28T19:07:07Z")
And a big +1 to Alex’s suggestion of taking pictures. Even just one really good group photo can make a huge difference! > **···** > > On Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 3:06 PM, Tony Bacigalupo [tonybac...@gmail.com](mailto:tonybac...@gmail.com) wrote: > > > Hey Wayne, congrats! > > Some quick thoughts: > > **1. Listen listen listen!** Get to know people and really pay attention to what they have to say. Read notes from How to Win Friends and Influence People on this. > > **2. Have fun!** The main objective here is for people to want to do this again. > > **3. Keep expectations reasonable.** How many people show up simply gives you information you can use to adjust your plans going forward. Zero people is a hint you may need to change your approach or that the need simply isn’t there (unlikely but possible!). > > One person or more and you have found people who are so ready to try this thing that they’re willing to take a chance on something new. > > This means they could be not just potential members, but potential collaborators, partners, investors, supporters, or just plain big fans. > > Get to know these people well and keep an eye out for ways to expand the emotional ownership of the project! > > **4. Have a follow-up in mind.** Either have the next date and location ready, or a follow-up email (collect everyone’s emails, always) to solicit suggestions on next steps. > > > > ## Tony > > > [**New Work Cities**](http://nwc.co/consulting) • [**Coworking.org**](http://coworking.org/) > > > Next mastermind group for new space owners kicks off in April! [Learn more](http://nwc.co/club) > > > On Fri, Mar 24, 2017 at 7:53 AM [wa...@renewacycle.com](mailto:wa...@renewacycle.com) wrote: > > > > Hey there; > > > > > > At long last we’re having a get together of folks interested in the space I’m working on at a local restaurant that’s helping get this going. It’s an afternoon of working in their space, followed by a “meet & greet” where I’ll share a vision for what we’re building, share preliminary membership levels and amenities, and solicit feedback. Then, we’re welcome to hang out and eat / imbibe together. > > > > > > Any thoughts on how to make thins first connection the best it can be? Event is next Tuesday 3/28, http://[hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com](http://hinesburghub-kickoff.eventbrite.com) > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > Kindly, > > > Wayne Maceyka > > > Hinesburg, VT > > > Renewable Energy / Sustainability > > > [HinesburgHUB - Coworking+](http://www.hinesburghub.com/) > > > [![visit my blog](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9cad12f18bcfde9f760d02c219def223607ec2e4.png)](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) [Blog - (un)Sustainable Comments](http://www.waynemaceyka.com/) > > > [![let's connect on LinkedIn](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/c/cf54c8b001d89c7df0088a5952b3b2bbaaa69a19.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) [Connect with LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemaceyka) > > > [![Bainbridge Graduate Institute - Changing Business for Good](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5a1e16351e96b25fa62d192865d9e8ce48cdb7d0.png)](http://www.bgi.edu/) [Sustainable MBA](http://www.presidio.edu/) > > > Mobile: 802-585-0909 > > > > – > > > > > > Visit this forum on the web at [http://discuss.coworking.com](http://discuss.coworking.com) > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group. > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [coworking+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:coworking+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). > > > > > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/d/optout](https://groups.google.com/d/optout).