1619: Time for our first discussion
Week 2: This Saturday, we’ll meet our groups and focus on the preface, “Origins”
Welcome to Week 2! Last week, we read the preface, “Origins,” and optionally shared one passage that resonated. Thank you to Sara, Susan, Jessica, Steven, and Monica for your contributions.
This week, we’re getting ready for our first discussion coming up this Saturday, February 12, 2:00 - 3:30 pm PT. (For your reference: Here’s our reading schedule, which I encourage you to save, bookmark, or print out).
Here are a few ways to prepare for this Saturday:
Catch up and read the preface if you just got the book
Re-read the preface and find 2-3 topics you’d like to talk more about
Reflect on what you learned and why it is meaningful to you
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon! Here’s the plan for this Saturday:
We’ll convene all together for a brief introduction. I’ll share a few words to frame what this book club is all about and how I hope we will learn together.
Then we’ll break off into our small conversation groups. There will be plenty of time to get to know each other and to discuss the preface.
At the end of the session, we’ll come back as a whole book club for individual reflection and group celebrations.
Also this Saturday, you’ll meet your small groups — which will be the core of your book club experience. I read all 34 surveys (thank you for your thoughtful input), and most of you said, “Put me in any group!” and “I would prefer having a chance to check in halfway through and possibly switch groups after the third meeting. That way, we can experience and learn from various viewpoints.”
I’m excited to announce our small groups (for the first three sessions)! Here they are:
Group 1: Sara, Sharon, Mark, Paula, Steven, Susan
Group 2: Summer, Valerie, Toronzo, Ziba, Camille
Group 3: Abby, Trevor, Telannia, Jenn, Jennifer, Leah
Group 4: Maureen, Molly, Elise, Kira, Elizabeth B, Jessica, Monica
Group 5: Allie, Reba, Charley, Wes, Elizabeth R, Barbara, Nicole
Group 6: Clare, Joel, Erin
Feel free to “meet” your fellow discussion groupmates before this Saturday by checking out their introductions in the “say hi” post.
That’s about it for now! I look forward to seeing you this Saturday at 2 pm PT. (The Zoom link is in your calendar invitation. I’ll be logging on 10 minutes early.) All right, let’s head to next steps.
Next steps
If you haven’t RSVPd yet to the calendar invites: Please do!
Optionally: What are your hopes for this week’s first discussion? Say hi to your groupmates and share your hopes for our first meeting in the comments.
See you in a few days! Reach out if you have any questions. All you need to do is hit reply. Happy reading.