When CoF events attract a large number of new members -- and some attendees of past events don't return or attend frequently -- forming solid, long-lasting personal relationships and a sense of community can be a challenge. Company of Friends groups have come up with several activities that help cement community in the network. Here are some of the better examples:
See above.
In Toronto, CoF members hung a sheet of corrugated plastic on a wall. Participants posted their business cards and other personal markers on the sheet and drew solid lines to the people they already know -- and dotted lines to people they wanted to meet that night. The CoF's volunteer coordinator says the group proved members had two degrees of separation, not the standard six.
The New York City CoF distributed a questionnaire to its members to gauge why people became involved with the group, what their biggest challenges were, how they wanted the group to be structured and events organized, when they were available to participate in CoF events, and what skills and resources they could contribute to the group. The New York CoF also held an event at which a facilitator separated the participants into a handful of smaller groups that discussed common interests. And the Los Angeles and Phoenix CoF groups give newcomers a survey, as well, asking members to summarize their experience, education, and expectations.
The Baltimore CoF formed a sense of groups identity and direction by covering the walls of their meeting room with sheets of paper. Members wrote down what they brought to the group, what they hoped to get out of it, and what the group could become. The members then cut and pasted pictures from an assortment of magazines to help express their feelings about how they felt at the moment and how they'd feel if they got whatever the group wanted and needed. 'Within half an hour the walls were covered, and we learned some really interesting things about ourselves,' says one member.
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