Thank you

For thinking about hosting a conversation in your community! It is people like you that help create the Kitchener we all want. By hosting a conversation, you’re giving others the opportunity to have a voice.

Community members have told us they are interested in taking part in city decision-making, but say they do not believe their input makes a difference. We want to change this.

We can accept notes from Host Your Own conversations until mid-July, 2025.

Have questions at any point? Contact us:

Sue Weare, Community Engagement Consultant

Phone: 519-741-2479

TTY: 1-866-969-9994

AtTheTable@kitchener.ca


Instructions

There are four steps involved in hosting a conversation in your community:

  1. Plan
  2. Host
  3. Take notes
  4. Send your feedback

We've also prepared a printable guide with more details. It includes instructions, the questions to ask your group, evaluation forms and prize ballots.

Download the guide

1️⃣ Plan

Step 1: Plan your conversation

Bringing people together to talk about their experiences engaging with the City of Kitchener will take some planning. We’ve got you covered!

Identify who to include

Create a guest list for your conversation. A diverse group of participants makes for a richer, more inspired conversation.

Who are the people in you community that…

  • Would add varying perspectives to the conversation?
  • Might have a different cultural experience?
  • May be new to the community?
  • Are often forgotten about or missed?
  • Would be excited to help shape the future of engagement at the City?

Pick your date, time and location

You can host in your home, at a local park, coffee shop or community hall depending on how many people you have. Consider when might work best for the people you're inviting.

Invite your guests

Send your invitation any way that works best (examples: Facebook group post, poster, email). You can use this background information and call to action to create your invitation.

Give your invitees some background information and a compelling reason to participate:

  • Community engagement is defined as: “An intentional process with the purpose of working in inclusive and respectful ways to shape decisions, actions, impacts, or change.”
  • The City of Kitchener is undertaking a project to improve how they engage with you.
  • They want to understand your current experiences with engagement at the City to make improvements for the future.
  • Your stories, ideas and thoughts will help shape the City’s engagement approach and updated Community Engagement Policy.

Add a call to action:

  • You are invited to a community conversation to share your experiences with community engagement at the City.
  • In this 60-minute conversation you will have an opportunity to tell us your ideas and hear others’ ideas too.
  • Join us [add the date, time and location]
  • Please extend this invitation to anyone else you think might be interested.
  • For more information about this project, visit www.engagewr.ca/AtTheTable
  • Please contact [name] if you have questions.
  • We hope to see you there!

2️⃣ Host

Step 2: Host your conversation

Prepare yourself

Start by downloading and reading through the conversation guide.

Gather supplies

Some examples might be: name tags, pens, markers, water and snacks.

Print extra copies

If you are using paper, print copies of the evaluation form (pages 10 to 12) and ballots (page 13). Print one evaluation form and one ballot for each guest, including yourself!

Set up early

Arrange your space, tables and chairs. Give yourself enough time to set up the space and be ready 15 minutes before start time.

Welcome people as they arrive

Introduce yourself to people you don’t know and to others. Welcome people and thank them for coming.

Kick off your conversation!

Watch the clock. Start and end on time as close as possible.

Let the conversation flow

Make an effort to invite everyone to share their ideas without putting people on the spot. Ask to hear from those who haven’t contributed.

3️⃣ Take notes

Step 3: Take notes

This is important!

Let people know their feedback needs to be recorded in order to share it with the City to consider.

You have a few options for taking notes:

  • Online, in the fillable form below (Note: registered visitors can save their progress, create an account or login at engagewr.ca/login)
  • In an app, then save a file as .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf or .txt
  • On paper, handwrite your notes

    Some tips:

    • Capture peoples’ own words, try not to summarize or use your own words
    • Repeat or paraphrase responses to ensure it’s correct
    • Ask clarifying questions if you don’t understand
    • Ask for a minute to catch up if needed
    • Remember to include how many people joined your conversation!

    4️⃣ Send feedback

    Step 4: Send your feedback

    Review your notes to expand any shorthand or acronyms so that it can easily be read by someone else. If you took handwritten notes, please type them out if you are able to.

    There are a few different ways to send us your notes, depending on what format they are in.

    • Online form: Click 'Send'. You will get a confirmation message.
    • Handwritten or printed:
      • Drop off your notes at Kitchener City Hall. Address the envelope to: A Seat at the Table c/o Corporate Communications and Marketing, Kitchener City Hall, 200 King St. West, Kitchener ON, N2G 4G7
      • Mail in your notes. To request a self-addressed stamped envelope, contact us at AtTheTable@kitchener.ca or 519-741-2479 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994)


    Take notes online