Generating a Movement with Coffee Klatches

Generating a movement among persons of Faith 

How do you generate a movement among persons of faith?

Of course, by inviting your friends, family and colleagues to participate with you. A handy way to involve people is to invite them to small social gathers for coffee and conversation. We call these small social gatherings "coffee klatches". Coffee klatches are meant to be places to learn and share information about Marriage Equality advocacy, to embolden individuals to be visibly active in their advocacy, and to challenge advocates to host an coffee klatch event of their own. The movement will grow when, at the conclusion of a Coffee Klatch, participants are ready and willing to invite others to join in support of Marriage Equality, perhaps by hosting their own event.

How is a coffee klatch formed?

A coffee klatch is formed when one person invites several other persons to their home, to a coffee shop, to a café or sandwich shop lunch meeting, or any other place where people can gather in small, informal groups for coffee (or tea, or wine and crackers) and conversation. The host should invite persons they know as friends or acquaintances and who are assumed to be persons of faith whether or not they may be active participants in a faith community. It is highly recommended that the host invite people from various faith traditions rather than from the same religious affiliation as the host. 

How long should a coffee klatch last?

Each Coffee Klatch is a one-time event, and should last about an hour. Once the coffee klatch comes to a close, each person invited should be charged the responsibility to host a coffee klatch of their own rather than plan another gathering of the same group. The host of each coffee klatch may plan to host additional coffee klatches, but not include the same participants who attended a previous coffee klatch.

How long should each coffee klatch participant be active?

As long as it takes to legalize same-sex marriage. Each coffee klatch participant, as they are able, should be active advocating Marriage Equality until the goal of legalizing same-sex marriage is achieved. They should  continue engaging in the activities for advocacy identified at the coffee klatch meeting they attended. Each coffee klatch participant should also host as many additional coffee klatches as they can reasonably add to their calendar.

Can coffee klatches collectively gather together?

Absolutely! It is highly recommended that people who have participated in coffee klatches periodically gather together in some kind of group assembly. People need to share enthusiasm and inspire each other! The result can be a feeling of being part of something larger than themselves, and the assurance that one is not alone in their advocacy.