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Steps Action(s)
Youth Engagement Two of our committee members took the lead on engaging
young people from the M&SP congregation and beyond. They
organized a teen book study, enlisted help organizing on the days
of the events, and coordinated with youth groups at the local high
school for the BC-7 Big Conversation on Progress and
Challenges in Our Schools.

In the final week before the day of the event, planning and coordination responsibilities were
further delineated. Attachment (3).

Looking for a Venue

We were fortunate to build upon the core Big Conversation planning committee of
Middleham and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. This group had an established track record of
several previous Big Conversations, parish and Church leadership support for these
initiatives, and use of the Great Hall, classrooms and conference rooms. For other small non-
profit organizations or concerned citizens trying to organize such an effort requires
partnering with a library, church or school. Cost is always a concern, if you have to rent a
space.

Steps Action(s)
Small Group: 20 - 40 It’s easy to find a space for small groups like book discussions or
people workshops. We were fortunate to have access to the M&SP
facility, but others may have to find spaces at the library,
churches, conference rooms, etc. Planning committee members
likely have contacts that will be able to assist.
Medium Sized Definitely need a larger space. We still had access to the M&SP
Group: 50 - 100 Great Hall; however, other issues started to be important though,
like parking, rest rooms, accessibility, availability of kitchen, etc.
Large Group: 100 – Getting into some serious questions about capacity. We hosted
200+ about 200 in the MS&P Great Hall for the BC-6 Dismantling
Racism event, but challenged the space in a number of ways.
BC-7 took place at Patuxent High School, where there was more
parking, rest rooms, auditorium space, and rooms available for
small group discussions.
Effect of Scheduled Lots of considerations in selecting a day, date and time,
Time especially if you’re trying to attract a diverse crowd. People need
to work. Their children have school activities. African American
church groups (at least in our Southern Maryland area) tend to
have Wednesday evening Bible Study and long Sunday services.
They are not available before 2:00 or 2:30 pm on Sunday.

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