The Community Experience
Connection isn't just for the workplace. The relationships that sustain us - our friendships, our neighborhoods, our chosen communities - need intentional attention too. When people move beyond small talk to genuine understanding, social groups become stronger, neighborhoods feel like home, and communities thrive.
Whether you're gathering a book club, planning a family reunion, leading a civic organization, or creating programming for residents, The Community Experience builds the authentic connection that transforms casual acquaintances into meaningful relationships.
The Community Experience is a 90-minute facilitated session using professionally designed conversation frameworks developed through hands-on facilitation and continuous refinement. These frameworks help friend groups, social clubs, neighborhood associations, retirement communities, municipal programs, and membership organizations see beyond surface-level interactions to the humans you share life with.
No lengthy consultation process. No complicated customization. Just jump straight into the conversation frameworks that create transformation.
What It Is
A transformed understanding of each other that makes community more vibrant and meaningful. When your group sees each other as complete humans rather than just neighbors, club members, or casual friends, everything changes:
For new groups or communities:
Rapid trust-building that helps strangers become friends
Quick alignment around shared values and interests
Foundation for belonging from the first gathering
For established groups seeking to strengthen:
New dimensions of people you thought you already knew well
Unlocked creativity and energy that comes from deeper understanding
Stronger bonds to navigate future challenges together
For communities navigating transitions:
Understanding that bridges generational or cultural differences
Shared experiences that create common ground
Connection that makes diverse communities feel cohesive
For all communities:
Different perspectives make sense in context of personal experiences
Activities and programming incorporate diverse viewpoints more naturally
Trust deepens through genuine understanding
Sense of belonging increases, making it easier to show up authentically and contribute
One 90-minute session creates the kind of understanding that many groups have been hoping for but didn't know how to build.
What Your Community Will Experience
The Experience: 90 Minutes That Shift Everything
Arrival: Warm welcome and device securing. Phones go into Yondr pouches to create space for genuine presence with each other, without the pull of notifications or the urge to document the moment. For more information, check out Why We Go Device-Free.
Three Rounds of Connection (60 minutes) Facilitated conversations using proven frameworks that help people share who they are beyond surface interactions. After each round, participants move to a new group of 3-4 people, ensuring everyone connects with multiple community members.
Round 1: Getting Energized - Light, accessible prompts that create comfort while revealing perspectives. This round eases everyone into conversation before expanding the scope of what gets explored.
Round 2: Exploring Connection - Questions about how we relate to others and experience presence
Round 3: Essential Self - Reflections on who we are beyond daily roles
Open Connection Time (30 minutes) After the structured rounds, phones stay secured while your group enjoys unstructured time together. No agenda, no facilitation - just space to continue conversations, reconnect with people who resonated with you, or simply be present together in a way that feels increasingly rare.
The best connections don't require a special reason - they just require the right conditions. When you create space for people to actually know each other, communities naturally become stronger, more resilient, and more alive.
This isn't social programming. It's about actually knowing who you share life with. When you understand each other as humans, not just roles or labels, everything else gets easier.
Why This Matters for Any Community
"We offer dozens of programs here, but residents tend to stick with the same few people they already know. After bringing Talia in, I watched people who've lived on the same floor for years actually connecting for the first time. Three months later, they're still sitting with new people at meals and forming friendships we never saw before. That's when you know something really worked."
"I moved to this neighborhood three years ago and could never quite break in. I'd see people at the coffee shop or walking their dogs, but it always stayed at 'hey, how's it going?' After we did this, I actually understood my neighbors - like, really got who they are. Now when I run into someone, I'm genuinely happy to see them instead of doing that awkward wave-and-keep-walking thing."
-
The Community Experience
90 minutes of connection using our proven framework. Your date, time, location. Designed to work effectively for groups 12-50 across contexts and purposes.
Best for: Friend groups, book clubs, social organizations, neighborhood associations, family reunions, professional networks, civic groups, retirement communities, municipal programming, membership organizations - any community ready to connect authentically.
Starting at: $400
-
Custom Community Experience
For communities with specific themes to explore, unique dynamics, or particular goals. Includes pre-session consultation, customized conversation framework selection, and tailored integration discussion.
Best for: Communities with particular dynamics to address, organizations wanting extended formats, or anyone needing conversation frameworks designed for your specific context.
Starting at: $600
What’s Included
All Community Experiences include:
90-minute facilitated session
Device-securing pouches (Yondr) for up to 50 participants
Professionally designed conversation frameworks
Facilitator travel within 30 minutes of Portsmouth
Setup and breakdown
Location & Travel
In-person facilitation in Portsmouth, NH and surrounding areas. Complimentary travel within 30 minutes of Portsmouth. Regional travel (30-60 minutes) includes $75 travel fee. Extended travel beyond 60 minutes available by arrangement.
Group Size
12-50 people. Smaller groups allow deeper connection with each person, while larger groups create broader connection across the community. The experience is designed to work effectively across this full range.
For groups 26-50: Please designate 1-2 volunteers or staff members to assist with distributing materials during the session. This helps keep the experience affordable for community groups.
Special Pricing
Multi-session programming: Contact us to discuss pricing for ongoing community connection experiences.
FAQs
How is The Community Experience different from regular social gatherings?
Regular gatherings often stay at the surface level or focus on activities. This focuses on who people are as humans. The transformation comes from understanding, not from just spending time together.
What if my group is skeptical or resistant?
The conversation frameworks are designed to meet people where they are. No one is forced to share beyond their comfort level, and the progressive structure builds safety naturally. Most skeptical participants are surprised by how meaningful the experience becomes.
Do we need to prepare anything in advance?
No. Just show up ready to be present. All facilitation, materials, and structure are provided. For groups 26-50, you'll just need to designate 1-2 volunteers or staff members to help distribute conversation prompts during the experience. Otherwise, your only job is to participate.
What if we need something more customized?
The Custom Community Experience includes pre-session consultation and conversation frameworks designed for your specific community dynamics or goals. It's perfect for groups with unique contexts or particular themes to explore.
Can we do this virtually?
In-person facilitation creates the strongest connection. Virtual options are available for communities who can't gather in person, with modified approach and premium pricing.
What size groups work best?
12-50 people. Smaller groups allow participants to connect more deeply with each person, while larger groups create broader connection across the community. The experience is designed to work effectively across this full range.
Below 12 or above 50? Contact us to discuss the best format for your group size.
How is this different from The Connection Experience for organizations?
The underlying framework is the same because genuine connection works the same way regardless of context. The difference is in framing and focus. The Connection Experience emphasizes how understanding each other improves collaboration and organizational effectiveness. The Community Experience emphasizes how understanding each other strengthens relationships and community cohesion. Both create the same depth of human connection.
How do we know if this is right for our community?
If your group experiences conversations that never go deeper than logistics, a sense that people don't really know each other beyond surface details, difficulty building momentum or engagement, or a desire for relationships that feel more meaningful - this will help. Still unsure? Schedule a brief call to discuss your specific situation.
What about privacy and sharing in community settings?
All participants choose what they share and how deeply they engage. The conversation frameworks are designed to be accessible and meaningful without requiring vulnerable disclosure. Many people are surprised by how much connection happens through thoughtful questions, not invasive ones.
Interested in bringing The Community Experience to your group? Fill out this form and we'll respond within 24 hours to discuss availability, answer questions, or schedule a brief call.