When: Evening of Jan. 23rd & all day Jan. 24th, 2026

Where: Brooklyn Army Terminal, Brooklyn, NY.

Who: 12 neighbors + 3 facilitators

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What’s Happening

We’re inviting twelve participants to take part in a CCDF Gathering — a new kind of community conversation.

 

Together we’ll explore one guiding question:

“What is one small step that those of us gathered here might take together, toward improving the quality of life for everyone in our community?”

Why this Gathering is Different 

This isn’t a debate, a town hall, or a committee meeting. It’s a filmed experiment inspired by The Gatherings screenplay — a story about how small groups of people begin listening to one another in new ways and spark social change.

 

For one weekend, we’ll bring that story to life. The process we’ll use — Dynamic Facilitation — helps people speak from the heart, listen deeply, and uncover shared insights that no one could have imagined alone. It transforms disagreement into discovery and reveals practical, compassionate solutions that arise from collective wisdom.

 

By joining, you’ll be part of the first real-world, in person, CCDF "Gathering" — a chance to show what’s possible when neighbors think, feel, and imagine together.

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Why It Matters Now

Many of us are feeling the strain of political divisiveness and uncertainty about the future. This Gathering offers a rare opportunity to connect locally, build trust, and rediscover what’s possible when we move beyond positions and start listening for what truly matters.

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What to Expect

Over the Friday night and all day Saturday event, co-facilitators Rosa Zubizarreta (author of the Dynamic Facilitation Manual), Laurie Simons, & Terry Sterrenberg (Bay Ridge residents) will guide the group through a structured yet heart-centered process. You’ll have time to share what’s most important to you, hear other participants' perspectives, and explore together what next steps could make life better for everyone in our community.

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Interested?

If you’re curious, open-minded, and willing to explore something new, we’d love to hear from you.

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*A Meerkat Media film crew will be present to document this first-ever Gathering for possible inclusion in a documentary. We understand that being filmed can feel vulnerable; participation is entirely voluntary, and everyone’s comfort and consent will be honored.

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To learn more or express interest, please Contact Us and send us a quick note using the phrase "First Gathering".

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    Let’s see what can happen when people come together
            to imagine - and begin - a better way forward.

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