Salt Spring Death Cafe & RSVPs
Posted by AnnaHaltrecht on Oct. 21, 2014, 1:43 p.m. 5 comments
I am new to Death Cafe. I am preparing to host my first one. I am a community engagement facilitator & I was already organizing a discussion on death when I heard about Death Cafe. It made sense for me to align my event with the Death Cafe model, so I am joining this unique global movement . Initially I was not going to do RSVPs but on reading some recent comments I am wondering if I should change my thoughts on this. I live on an island of 10,000 population. Any comments?
Comments
NO RSVP's
Hi Anna! Congratulations on hosting your first Death Cafe! I started out requesting RSVPs and 3 months into it changed to NO RSVPs. Here's why: People who RSVP'd didn't show, others showed who didn't RSVP. We seem to have a larger attendance by NOT requiring RSVPs. We typically average 30 attendees. I'm in Denver, CO. Hope that helps! - Anita Larson, Denver Death Cafe
Posted by Anita Larson
40 people attended!
Thank you for your comments. I chose not to do RSVPs and that was a good thing. What a wonderful turn out! We had 60 people at the walk through the cemetery - lots of great tales to be told. Then 40 were at the Death Cafe part of the event, we were all in a cozy part of the lobby of our local art centre. We did laugh a lot too! People seemed to feel safe and ready to share their thoughts. So much so I am now organizing the next one with assistance from the local hospice & facilitators!
I have a list of 35 people so far. Thanks to Jon for starting this global movement.
Posted by Anna Haltrecht
no rsvp
Totally agree with Denver. When I present best practices, I tell people what happened to me when I first had RSVP. No shows, cancelations...
It also makes the gathering more casual, which is what it is supposed to be. If you are worried about the refreshments, don't be. People don't come for the food, but for the conversation.
Posted by Columbus Death Cafe
no rsvp
Totally agree with Denver. When I present best practices, I tell people what happened to me when I first had RSVP. No shows, cancelations...
It also makes the gathering more casual, which is what it is supposed to be. If you are worried about the refreshments, don't be. People don't come for the food, but for the conversation.
Posted by Columbus Death Cafe (Lizzy)
Thank you for your comments. I chose not to do RSVPs and that was a good thing. What a wonderful turn out! We had 60 people at the walk through the cemetery - lots of great tales to be told. Then 40 were at the Death Cafe part of the event, we were all in a cozy part of the lobby of our local art centre. We did laugh a lot too! People seemed to feel safe and ready to share their thoughts. So much so I am now organizing the next one with assistance from the local hospice & facilitators!
I have a list of 35 people so far. Thanks to Jon for starting this global movement.
Posted by Anna Haltrecht