How to invite people to join your Conversation Group

As a Conversation Host, your main role is to bring people together and guide them through the materials provided. You don’t need to be an expert in constitutional law or Australian history to be a Host. Your passion for the Yes movement is enough to make you an excellent candidate.

Here are some steps to help you invite people to join your group:

Assess Your Comfort Zone

Decide whether you prefer to host alone or co-host with someone else. Co-hosting is an excellent option for those who prefer to share tasks and feel more comfortable hosting with another person.

Decide When the First Conversation Will Take Place

The guided materials for Session One will be released later in May. Sessions typically run for about an hour and a half, and we recommend choosing a time and day of the week that would suit the majority of your group. Keep in mind that the referendum vote is expected to occur around October 14, and plan accordingly.

Choose Your Venue

Most Conversation Hosts prefer to host in their own home, but you can also consider renting a meeting room at your local library or holding the session at a park or cafe. Remember, the most important thing is to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Note: You don’t need to cook a meal for your group, unless you want to!

Consider Who You’d Like to Invite

Think about who you would feel most comfortable inviting to your Conversation Group. It’s important to ensure that your group is a space for safe and respectful dialogue on this important issue. Don’t feel as though you need to bring a group of people together who are staunchly against the Voice. At the start of each session, you’ll be encouraged to read out some ground rules that outline our expectations of each other throughout the conversation. Make sure everyone agrees to these rules and adheres to them throughout the session.

Lean on Your Existing Networks

Tap into your existing networks, such as neighbours, local community groups, friends, colleagues, school and preschool groups, and family members. These are excellent starting points for inviting people who are interested in participating in the Conversation Group.

Send Out Your Invites

Sending out the invites largely depends on your social style! It can be as casual as bumping into someone on the street and inviting them to join your Kitchen Table Conversation or as easy as a quick text message explaining what you’re hosting and why you’d like them to come along.

Here’s some examples on what to say in a text or email:

Example one —

Dear [insert name],

I hope this message finds you well! I am writing to invite you to an upcoming Kitchen Table Conversation that I will be hosting on [insert date].

This will be an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the upcoming referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament. During the conversation, we’ll use guided conversation materials from Together, Yes, which will help us to structure our discussion and make the most of our time together.

The conversation will last for approximately an hour and a half, and there will be around 10 people in attendance. I believe that your perspective would be valuable, and I would love to have you join us.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, or if there’s anything I can do to assist you in attending. Thank you for considering my invitation, and I hope to see you at the conversation.

Best regards,

[Your name]

Example two —

Hey [insert name]! Hope all’s good with you. I’m hosting a Kitchen Table Conversation on [insert date] to think deeply about the upcoming referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament. We’ll be using guided conversation materials from Together, Yes, and it’ll only take about 1.5 hours of your time. Would you like to join us?

Best regards,

[Your name]

Example three —

Hey [insert name], how are you doing? I’m putting together a Kitchen Table Conversation on [insert date] to talk about the upcoming referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament. It’s going to be an interesting discussion, and I’d love for you to be a part of it. We’ll be using conversation materials from Together, Yes, and it won’t take too long – just about 90 minutes. Let me know if you’re interested in joining!

Take care,

[Your name]

As a Conversation Host, you are playing a crucial role in helping to secure a positive outcome in the referendum. By inviting people to join your Conversation Group, you are helping to create a safe and respectful space for dialogue, and contributing to a historic moment in our nation’s history.

We hope you find this information to be helpful! If you have any further questions that have not been answered here or want to chat through anything, please feel free to get in touch with our team: ally@togetheryes.com.au