Community Central Brookland

Would you like more authentic connections, friendship, and personal growth in your life? I’m putting together two cohorts for what I’m calling “Community Central.” These groups of eight to twelve people will meet in person for two-hour sessions in which you’ll check in, share, and learn from each other.

The prototype of a Community Central session goes something like this:

• Basic check-ins: how are you doing? Then indicate if you’d like a long share during the next go-round
• The second round is for those who have something they want to explore with the group. What’s alive for them? What do they want to receive: witnessing, empathy, exploration, and/or suggestions and advice?
• Finally, the leader will introduce a prompt or other exercise for the entire group to encourage people go deeper

So, yes, it’s basically people sitting around a room talking about their lives and their emotions. How is this different from a regular get-together?

• Deeper topics: we’re not talking about the weather, sports, or television – unless it’s about how one of those impacted you
• Deeper listening: we’re listening to each other, not waiting for our turn to speak
• Presence: we’re not distracted by the energy of a busy place, loud music, or similar. We’re not eating lunch or drinking alcohol.
• Commitment: this isn’t an ad hoc whoever-shows-up-this-time group. Members commit to showing up for themselves and each other.
• Diversity: is celebrated. Different ages, backgrounds, economic situations, political affiliations, etc.

Expectations for a member:

• Attend as many sessions as possible. Very important!
• Come with an open mind and open heart
• Be flexible – this is a pilot program, meaning that we’re testing things out

Community Central Brookland will meet monthly on the second Saturday of the month from 2:00-4:00PM, starting on March 8. Full schedule: 3/8, 4/12, 5/10, 6/14, 7/12, and 8/8. Full price is $120 for all six sessions, but because this is a pilot program, it'll be half off: $60 for all six sessions.

(Don't live in DC? I'm also running a Community Central Tysons cohort that will meet biweekly on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 3:00-5:00PM, starting on February 15. Full schedule: 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 4/5, 4/19, 5/3, 5/17, 6/7, 6/21, 7/5, 7/19, 8/2. Pilot program price: $120)

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Host or Publisher Rebecca Hassell