A Year of Events: What Worked

In the first year of Roulette Community, we ran twenty-seven events across five regions. Most were small — twelve to thirty attendees — and themed around a specific lesson or publication. A handful were larger.

What worked: events tied to a specific piece of content. The 'Variance Night' that accompanied the release of the bankroll paper drew three times the attendance of a comparable open event. Members arrived having read the paper; conversation picked up where the text left off.

What also worked: the quieter format. Our most-loved event was a Sunday afternoon home circle gathering in Kyoto. Eleven members, a small wheel, a quiet room. The feedback was universally warm.

What did not work: generic meetups with no agenda. Members arrived, mingled, left early. We have learned to always pair social events with a specific discussion thread or lesson.

If you are hosting your first event, begin with a thread. The thread gives the evening its spine.