Not every candidate event needs to be a formal, structured affair. A casual meet-and-greet, like a "Bikes & Brews" (or "Coffee & Cranks") event, provides a relaxed atmosphere where candidates and residents can have real, one-on-one conversations. These events are excellent for building relationships and fostering a sense of community.
Why Host a Casual Meet-and-Greet?
- Lower Barrier to Entry: These events are often less intimidating for both candidates and residents than a formal forum.
- Authentic Conversations: The informal setting allows for more natural, unscripted dialogue.
- Relationship Building: This format is ideal for building personal connections between candidates and community members.
- Fun! A casual event can be a great way to energize your base and attract new supporters.
Planning Your Meet-and-Greet
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Planning Your Meet-and-Greet
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Planning Your Meet-and-Greet
The Nonpartisan Rule: Invite Everyone. As with any candidate event, you must invite all viable candidates for a given office. While it's unlikely they will all attend at the same time, you must give them all the same opportunity. You could either host a single event and invite everyone, or host a series of identical events, each featuring a few candidates.
Choose the Right Venue: The venue sets the tone. Look for a place that is:
- Centrally located and accessible.
- Welcoming and has a relaxed atmosphere. A local coffee shop, a family-friendly brewery with a patio, or even a public park can be a great choice.
- Bike-friendly! Ensure there is plenty of safe and convenient bike parking or offer free bike valet.
Pick a Time: Weekday evenings (e.g., 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM) or weekend afternoons are often the best times for these events.
Promotion: Get the word out through your usual channels:
- Email newsletter
- Social media
- Community calendars
- Encourage your members to bring a friend.
Structuring an "Unstructured" Event
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Structuring an "Unstructured" Event
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Structuring an "Unstructured" Event
Even a casual event needs a little bit of structure to be successful.
- Have a Clear Start and End Time: This respects everyone's time.
- The "5-Minute Introduction": About 30 minutes into the event, briefly quiet the room and give the candidate(s) the floor for a short (5-minute), informal introduction. This ensures everyone knows who they are and why they are there.
- Provide Conversation Starters: You can place a few cards on each table with some sample, issue-based questions to help break the ice and keep conversations focused on the topics that matter to your organization. Provide the candidates with the questions in advance.
- "What's your vision for making our city a better place to walk and bike?"
- "What's one street you think is unsafe, and how would you fix it?"
- Have an Information Table: Set up a table with information about your organization, your key issues, and how people can get involved.
- Your Role as Host: Your staff and board members should act as facilitators. Introduce people to the candidate, help start conversations, and make sure everyone feels welcome.
The Goal: Connection Over Content
Don't worry about recording every single thing a candidate says. The goal of a meet-and-greet is not to create a detailed policy record; it's to build the human connections that are the foundation of effective advocacy. A candidate who has had a positive, personal interaction with your members is far more likely to remember you and your issues when they are in office.