1. Location

Find a site that can accommodate the number of Friends you think might attend

• Meeting houses are great (obviously check with the meeting first)
• Local conference/retreat centers are also good

2. Get support

Find a Friend or two to help you plan and provide emotional support.

3. Theme

Come up with a focus for the day/weekend.

• Service is always good
• Political activism, spirituality, life transitions, what it means to be Quaker, leadings/callings
• Intergenerational bonding is great too
• Include a balance of fun stuff and weightier stuff
• Don’t over schedule—leave room for the Spirit!

4. Date

Find a date. Try to accommodate Friends in college and those who work.

• Allow enough time to get the word out to the folks you want to come

5. Advertise to Friends locally and nationally (including Canada)

• Use listservs
• Put it on the Quakeryouth website
• Make a flier and hang it in the Meeting
• Send it out in the Monthly Newsletter
• Contact Friends in other yearly meetings

6. Food

Find someone who can cook or ask people to each make a meal.

7. Financial assistance

If your meeting can donate a little to help Friends attend, that’s great. If not, keep prices low ($25ish) and carpool!

Expenses usually include:

• Food
• Any materials (flip charts, markers, photocopies)
• Renting a space or making a contribution to the host meeting

8. At the Gathering, decide on the next date and who will organize it.

If you have any questions, or would like to contribute another “How to” paper, email emi..reveal email..@fgcquaker.org