I want to be in a current event discussion group (a « salon »)

[Ginevra]

I have been thinking about this off and on for more than a year. I would really like to be part of a regularly-meeting (say, 1x month) group of men and women who meet with the goal of discussing, with civility, the issues of the day. Ideally, this would be 6-10 people, someone would be the moderator, which all would have to agree to curtailing by the moderator. It would be nice if it was a varied demographic, so we get many perspectives. 

I have looked in places like Meet Up but I haven’t found something like this yet. (The closest thing I found was a philosopher’s group, but that’s not quite right; I want to discuss current events.) I didn’t really want to start my own but it seems likely I won’t get one any other way. I also don’t know how I can go about inviting members. I really, really want to attract people who can remain calm when opposed or when opposing. 

Have you ever been in or even heard of a physical (not online) group like this? A friend of a friend told me she was in one in Virginia once but had to quit when she moved. It was couples. Other than her, I haven’t heard of anything like this. 

I have considered mentioning it on my FB and seeing if it draws any interest, but I’m worried about the possibility of a FB friend who is probably not well-suited to it wanting to join. Or what if there’s a whole lot of interest but I have to pick amongst friends and acquaintances? Can you tell I always fear the unknown? 😬

 

[Pen]

“With civility” part might be hard currently unless everyone thinks very similarly in which case what’s the point?

But aside from that I think it’s a great idea.  I have heard of such groups, but not formed specifically to do that.  

[Pen]

Out of curiosity I tried Googling:

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/11/civil-discourse-is-the-rule-when-current-events-group-meets-on-tuesdays/

 

[marbel]

Interesting you should mention this right now; yesterday I drove past a church and saw signage for a "civil conversations" group. Turns out it is a thing not just from that church. Here is the blurb from their website:

 

... moderates and hosts this national movement from NPR’s Krista Tippet, the Civil Conversations Project. Through conversation, we can create the realities that we want to inhabit, using the following grounding virtues:

• Adventurous Civility • Hospitality • Generous Listening • Patience • Humility • Words that Matter

We’ll gather for meals , potluck styles, because good conversation happens around the table. Mark your calendars for the following dates []. People of all backgrounds, ideologies, and persuasions are encouraged to take part in these discussions. In conversation, we deepen relationships, sharing the most meaningful parts of our lives in humble generosity.

 

You could google "civil conversations" and see what you come up with. maybe there are groups like this all over the place. I think it sounds great and very doable if people are willing to listen to those they disagree with - meaning, if all viewpoints are invited to speak up.  I don't think it's impossible, anyway.  

I can't get the fonts to be all the same size, sorry if it's making you dizzy.

 

[Farrar]

I would be very hesitant to do this unless it was something you organized or someone you trust did.

If you post on FB, you can exclude a single person from seeing the status - though obviously that doesn't guarantee that they won't hear about it. I'm not sure how your circles are. You'd probably be best off organizing it by inviting people individually, but that's a bit of an undertaking.

[Frances]

My in-laws belonged to a couples one in IA for many years. One couple chose a topic each month and provided at least some resources to read before the meeting. Of course people were also free to read about the topic on their own. Another couple hosted and prepared a main dish and the rest was potluck. I’m not sure how the original group formed.

[Ausmumof3]

This is my modern day version 😂

[Teaching3bears]

Could you ask your library if you could do it there? Maybe they could advertise it with their other programming? You could put "quiet discussions" or something like that inthe description so as not to attract the wrong kind of person and then set ground rules the first week.

[Ausmumof3]

I reckon schole sisters is kind of an attempt along this lines although with more of an education than a current events focus.  I’m not sure if that would appeal to you due to the demographic being slightly more on the conservative Christian side.

[Scarlett]

18 hours ago, Quill said:

I have been thinking about this off and on for more than a year. I would really like to be part of a regularly-meeting (say, 1x month) group of men and women who meet with the goal of discussing, with civility, the issues of the day. Ideally, this would be 6-10 people, someone would be the moderator, which all would have to agree to curtailing by the moderator. It would be nice if it was a varied demographic, so we get many perspectives. 

I thought that was what TWTM boards were for. Granted it is more than 6-10 people.  😂

[Alte Veste Academy]

I use Great Decisions from Foreign Policy for our current events studies. We use the guide and videos, but there are groups around the country that come together to discuss the issues that are selected each year. Maybe there is one near you?

Great Decisions Groups

Edited February 12, 2020 by Alte Veste Academy

[Guest]

9 hours ago, Teaching3bears said:

Could you ask your library if you could do it there? Maybe they could advertise it with their other programming? You could put "quiet discussions" or something like that inthe description so as not to attract the wrong kind of person and then set ground rules the first week.

Yeah I was considering the library. 

[Selkie]

5 hours ago, Alte Veste Academy said:

I use Great Decisions from Foreign Policy for our current events studies. We use the guide and videos, but there are groups around the country that come together to discuss the issues that are selected each year. Maybe there is one near you?

Great Decisions Groups

This is what I was going to recommend, too. There is a Great Decisions group in my area.

[J-rap]

I've been wanting to be part of a group like that but within a faith community ~ any faith/religion.  I'd love to hear how other people come to life decisions and opinions based on their particular faith, and then dig in and discuss various faith ideas.  I know this is something that is very personal and triggering, so it would have to be a small group that didn't feel a need to be defensive and was willing to listen to each other and be thoughtful.  I don't know how to make that happen though.

[Katy]

That's what I miss most about college.  My current group of friends is just as intelligent but they're all so polite it's a rare night, and a lot of alcohol is involved before we touch on anything but the barest bit of current events.