Facilitation Toolkit

A 3-hour gathering. For example, ours runs 1–4pm:

• 1:00–1:15 ArrivalWelcome people as they arrive. Point them to food and drinks. Give out name tags. No pressure to jump into a group yet.
• 1:15–1:30 IntroductionsLoose circle. Everyone shares: name, where they're from, and one prompt (see icebreakers below).
• 1:30–2:00 Icebreaker or main activityBingo, food-based prompts, or a shared activity (see options below).
• 2:00–3:00 Open spaceThis is where the real connection happens. Let people wander, eat, group up, and talk. Your job is to notice who's alone and gently pull them in.
• 3:00–3:30 Wind-down activity or closing roundSomething soft: a group photo, a “one thing I'm taking away” round, or another light game.
• 3:30–4:00 GoodbyesEncourage people to swap contacts. Mention the next event.

Use one of these during introductions or throughout the day:

Food-based (our favorite):

• What food reminds you of home?
• If you could import one thing from your old city to your new one, what would it be?
• What's one dish that makes you homesick?

Sensory:

• What's one smell, taste, or sound you miss?
• Describe your city in three words.
• What weather makes you feel at home?

Honest:

• What did you think this move would be like, and what has it actually been like?
• What's one thing about your new city you're still figuring out?
• What made you feel welcome when you first arrived?

Fun:

• A hot take on something small (bagels, coffee, weather)
• What's a movie or song that captures how you feel here?
• If your new city had a mascot, what would it be?

Pick 1–2 that suit the group. Rotate over time.

The bingo card is our favorite icebreaker. It gives shy people a reason to walk up to strangers. The game does the asking for them.

How it works:

• Print a card with 6 squares (or 9, if you want longer)
• Each square is a “Who has...” prompt (e.g. “Who moved here in the last 3 months?”)
• People walk around, find someone who matches, and get their signature
• One signature per person
• First to complete the card wins a small prize (or just bragging rights)

Example squares (SF version):

• Who moved here in the last 3 months
• Who has the same zodiac sign as you
• Who has more than 20k photos on their phone
• Who has seen a raccoon in the city
• Who speaks more than 4 languages
• Who has been to more than 5 states

In your city: swap in local references. What is your version of “who has cried on Muni”? What's the local equivalent of “who hasn't been to Alcatraz yet”?

If your group is small and quieter, a set of conversation cards helps. Inspired by Kat Vellos's We Should Get Together. Six categories: Imagination, Reflection, Identity, Society, Relationships, Learning.

Example prompts:

• What's one belief you've changed your mind about?
• What are you learning right now?
• What does home mean to you?
• What's a question you keep coming back to?

You can make your own set, or start from ours.

A soft opening line:

Keep it short. No speeches.

A closing round:

Then:

• Point to how people can stay in touch (a group chat, an Instagram, a way to follow up)
• Mention the next event, even if it's a soft “we hope to do this again next month”
• Thank people. Genuinely.

Every gathering has a lull. Here's what to try:

• Pull out the bingo cards (if not started already)
• Suggest a walk: a short group loop around the park or block
• Start a shared observation game: everyone finds something they like within a 30-second radius
• Snack refresh: bring food out, refill drinks
• A short question round: “one word to describe how you're feeling right now”
• Sit down as a group: sometimes the energy just needs a change in position

Beyond the icebreaker, here are activities you can weave in:

• Walking tour: someone shares their favorite spot nearby, walk to it together
• Hometown showcase: each person shares one thing about where they're from (a photo, a song, a dish)
• Card game: Apples to Apples, storytelling decks, prompt cards
• Show and tell: bring one object that means something
• Group photo: casual, at the end, becomes a memory