COMMIT 2026: BUILDING COMMUNITY AROUND YOUTH-LED CHANGE
MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS
Community connection. Real conversation. Meaningful change. The vision of Mockingbird Gatherings is to open relational doorways to connection and belonging that build community around participation in youth-led change. Mockingbird Gatherings provide opportunities for supporters of The Mockingbird Society to: gather members of their community around an activity they enjoy, share rich conversation centered on youth-led change, and support guests at the meetups as they identify how they can use what they have to be a part of the Mockingbird movement. Hosts invite friends, family, colleagues, or community members to connect, learn, and explore ways to support young people with lived experience of foster care and/or homelessness.
First steps to hosting a Mockingbird Gathering: Select a format for a gathering. The format is purposefully flexible so that you can host in a way that fits your interests, your community, and your capacity. Some ideas and examples of Mockingbird Gathering formats are: dinner, brunch, coffee, workplace lunch, backyard gathering, game night, birthday celebration, book club, neighborhood potluck, or virtual gathering. This is truly a gathering that is designed by you! Decide how many people you want to invite, and start putting together a guest list. A gathering could be anywhere from five people to thirty people-- the choice is yours! Keep in mind that your guests will be invited to consider what next step they could take in meaningfully participating in youth-led change. Commit to a goal. What is your vision and goal for your gathering? Here are some guiding categories to help guide you to a goal: To Connect: To connect people in your community to Mockingbird for the first time To Give: To offer guests a clear, voluntary way to invest in youth-led change. This could mean setting a giving goal for your meetup. To Grow: Inviting guests to grow community around youth-led change by introducing their network to Mockingbird’s work. Choose what assets from Mockingbird you’ll incorporate in planning and hosting your gathering. Mockingbird has created a collection of resources to help you plan and host a rich conversation that sparks ideas for individuals to meaningfully engage in change in their community.
Ready to get started? This guide will support you every step of the way!
MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS - HOST RESOURCE LIST & LINKS Here is a list of the rest of the Host Resources contained and referenced in this information kit: Planning Resources My Gathering at a Glance - Host Dashboard Agenda Template Mockingbird Gathering Tracks & Formats Track 1: Casual Gathering Track 2: Smart Casual Gathering Track 3: Formal Gathering Basic Host Checklist Detailed Host Checklist Media Consent & Release Form - Online version available here Conversation Resources Storytelling Assets from Mockingbird Koncrete Rose Video Brian Video Conversation Prompts Conversation Cards “I Commit” Social Media Sign QR code for Commitment Forms - Commitment Form Link Follow Up Host Feedback Form Links in Commitment Forms Give Make a gift HERE Subscribe to The Mockingbird Times Purchase Mockingbird Merch Connect Contact us to make an introduction or request a Mockingbird representative to speak with members of your community Follow us on social media Subscribe to our newsletters Host Contact us for support in hosting a gathering Advocate Follow us on social media Subscribe to our newsletters and advocacy alerts Read The Mockingbird Times
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS
MY GATHERING AT A GLANCE HOST DASHBOARD
Date:
Location: My Goal: ☐ Connect: To connect people in my community to Mockingbird for the first time ☐ Give: To offer guests a clear, voluntary way to invest in youth-led change. This could mean setting a giving goal for your meetup. ☐ Grow: Inviting guests to grow community around youth-led change by introducing their network to Mockingbird’s work. Expected Guests:
Mockingbird Storytelling Asset(s) That I’ll Use: ☐ Brian video ☐ Koncrete Rose video ☐ Guest speaker
☐ Sharing my story
To-Do List: ☐ Invitations sent
☐ Agenda ready
☐ Commitment QR code/link ready
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Core Agenda Template Please Note: This is just a guide! Feel free to make the agenda your own, and refer to the Mockingbird Gathering Tracks for ideas to create a certain atmosphere at your gathering. Social Time
15-20 minutes
Let folks mingle and get comfortable in the space
Introductions and Opening Questions
10-15 minutes
As a large group or in small groups, have each guest introduce themselves. Then use the provided prompts and/or Conversation Cards to talk through the Opening Questions (first three questions in purple).
Introduction to Mockingbird
10-15 minutes
Take a few minutes to share why you chose to host the gathering, what Mockingbird is, why you care about youthled change, and maybe even a story of your involvement at Mockingbird. Then share the Storytelling Assets from Mockingbird with the group.
Learning and Reflection Time
10-15 minutes
Have a discussion time using the conversation cards and prompts (specifically the Reflection & Learning questions in blue). This can take place in pairs, small groups, or as a large group.
15-20 minutes
Introduce the Commitment Forms to the group, and continue discussion time using the conversation cards and prompts (specifically the Moving Toward Action questions in orange). Encourage folks to reflect, fill out the form, and decide what meaningful action step(s) they’d like to commit to. This can take place in pairs, small groups, or as a large group.
Sharing & Next Steps
5-10 minutes
Give time for guests to share their commitments/ action steps if they are comfortable. If you don’t want to have another discussion time, you could do this via an interactive activity, like having folks write their commitments on sticky notes and putting them on a wall or window, or having them fill out the provided Mockingbird “I Commit” sign and posting a photo on social media (if folks complete the signs, ask if you can take their photo with it to share with Mockingbird’s Communications and Marketing team).
Thank Guests & Conclude
5 minutes
Conclude the gathering by thanking guests for attending and reminding them to send in their commitment forms. Don’t forget to take a group picture if you haven’t already!
Moving Toward Action & Commitment Forms
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Mockingbird Gathering Tracks & Formats Over the next few pages, you’ll see some examples of “tracks” for Mockingbird Gatherings. These tracks are meant to support hosts as they envision and plan for the atmosphere they’d like to create at their gatherings. However, remember that you can keep it very simple!
The simplest possible Mockingbird Gathering Format... 5 Friends 60 Minutes One Conversation Question One Mockingbird Video Commitment Form Link/ QR Code How do I know if my gathering is successful? Remember that a gathering is successful if even one of your guests takes a meaningful next step to support youth-led change-- whether that step is to give, to connect, to host, or to advocate. The primary focus of your gathering is to build relationships and have a meaningful conversation with your guests.
That’s it! These are the key components of a Mockingbird Gathering, but you can get as creative as you want with planning and hosting your gathering. Continue to the Mockingbird Gathering Tracks for more ideas and inspiration.
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Mockingbird Gathering Tracks These tracks are meant to support hosts as they envision and plan for the atmosphere they’d like to create at their gatherings.
Track 1: Casual Gathering Format examples: Coffee hour, backyard gathering, potluck, picnic, or yoga class. Remember that you can choose any format for your gathering! Atmosphere: Cozy, relaxed, laid-back Venue examples: your home, your backyard, a local coffee shop or brewery, a public park Playlist example: Summer Dinner Party Playlist Decorations examples: none needed, and if you do opt for decorations, think simple - warm lights, maybe flowers, or just stick with how the space is normally decorated. Food and drink examples: have everyone bring a dish or side to share, order takeout or carryout from a local restaurant, pick up coffee or beer from local businesses.
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Mockingbird Gathering Tracks
Track 2: Smart Casual Gathering Format examples: Networking event, dinner, brunch or happy hour/ cocktail hour. Remember that you can choose any format for your gathering! Atmosphere: Curated, aesthetic, slightly dressy Venue examples: your home, a restaurant or cocktail bar, a conference room or event space. Playlist example: Cocktail Jazz Playlist Decorations examples: Once again, no need to do too much here unless you want to. Consider some sort of decorative lighting or centerpiece if you’re meeting around a table. Food and drink examples: cocktails and/or mocktails, small plates, charcuterie board, or catering from a local business.
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Mockingbird Gathering Tracks
Track 3: Formal Gathering Format examples: Dinner, wine and cheese night, or cocktail hour. Remember that you can choose any format for your gathering! Atmosphere: Curated, classy, refined Venue examples: your home, a private room at an event space or restaurant Playlist example: Cocktail Jazz Playlist Decorations examples: If you’re meeting around a table, consider a centerpiece, candles, or other decorative lighting. Food and drink examples: charcuterie board, wine, cocktails/mocktails, assortment of desserts from local specialty bakery, catered dinner, dinner served by a private chef.
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Host Checklist - Basic Task List Before your gathering... Task
Your plan/notes
Set a date Choose a venue Invite guests Set a goal for your gathering: Is it to connect, to give, or to grow?
During your gathering... Task
Your plan/notes
Share your story Show a Mockingbird Storytelling Asset Facilitate Conversation Have guests complete Commitment Forms
After your gathering... Task Complete Host Feedback Form Connect guests to next steps
Your plan/notes
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Host Checklist - Detailed Task List 4-6 weeks before your gathering: Task
Your plan/notes
Select a format for your gathering Decide how casual/formal you’d like the gathering to be Decide how many people you want to invite, and start creating a guest list Choose a date and time Select and secure a venue Set a goal for your gathering: Is it to connect, to give, or to grow? Notify Mockingbird staff that you are hosting a gathering, and let us know if there are any supports you need (for example, a guest staff speaker)
3-4 weeks before your gathering: Task
Your plan/notes
Send invitations Make a plan for any food/ beverages you want to serve Make a plan for seating Make a plan for any accessibility needs Make a plan for any transportation and parking considerations
2 weeks before your gathering: Task Follow up with guests for RSVPs Confirm any dietary needs Create agenda and flow for the gathering Print any materials you need, such as media release forms, QR codes for Commitment Form and giving, conversation cards, and “I Commit” signs.
Your plan/notes
5-7 days before your gathering: Task
Your plan/notes
Confirm final guest count Send final reminder to guests with any last details Make sure food and drink plan is finalized (and if catering, that the order is confirmed) Shop for any supplies you need
Day of your gathering: Task
Your plan/notes
Have guests fill out media release forms Take photos of your event, and take a group photo with those who are comfortable Have guests submit Commitment Forms Make note of any needed follow up/ next steps with individual guests
1-2 days after your gathering: Task
Your plan/notes
Share photos from event with Mockingbird staff Share any promised follow up with guests
Within one week after your gathering: Task Complete host feedback form Hand off follow-up opportunities to Mockingbird Staff
Your plan/notes
Media Consent & Release Form Date (mm/dd/yy): First Name: Last Name: ☐ Yes
Over 18?
☐ No
Telephone: Email:
The Mockingbird Society is hereafter referred to as “Mockingbird.” Consent to Photograph, Video, Interview & Quote: I give consent for myself or my child to participate in Mockingbird’s marketing activities, including interviews, the use of quotes, and the taking of photographs, movies or video tapes by Mockingbird employees or hired consultants. I grant Mockingbird the right to edit, use, and reuse said products for non-profit marketing purposes, including use in Mockingbird grant writing and marketing in print, on the internet, and all other forms of media. I also hereby release Mockingbird and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above. I agree (circle one):
Yes
No
Please initial: ____________
If over 18 ______________________________ Printed Participant Name
_______________________________ Participant Signature (if over 18 years of age)
____/____/______ Date
If under 18 (Parent/Guardian Authorization Required)
_______________________________ Printed Child’s (Participant’s) Name
______________________________ Printed Parent/Guardian Name
_______________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature
____/____/______ Date
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Storytelling Assets from Mockingbird Play these two videos during the portion of the gathering when Mockingbird is being introduced.
BigTalk x Mockingbird : Koncrete Rose 1min30sec
Youth Leadership Summit 2026: Interview with Brian 2min48sec
HOST RESOURCES - MOCKINGBIRD GATHERINGS Conversation Prompts Conversation Cards are on the next pages of this document, and can be printed and distributed to guests during different stages of the discussion time. Opening questions: Discuss before engaging with storytelling assets from Mockingbird What makes you feel like you belong? What made you feel supported by your community as a young person? Why did you say yes to this conversation about transforming foster care and ending youth homelessness? Learning and Reflection: Discuss after engaging with storytelling assets from Mockingbird What stood out or challenged an assumption you held? Where do you see foster care and homelessness creating barriers and challenges for young people? When young people have real influence over the realities that affect them, what changes? What responsibilities do communities have in creating better outcomes for young people? What does community support mean to you? How does this connect to transforming foster care, ending youth homelessness, and youth-led change? Moving Toward Action: Pair with passing out/introducing Commitment Cards and “I Commit” Signs Why is now the time for community action and advocacy? Who should be part of this conversation about transforming foster care, ending youth homelessness, and supporting youth-led change? Which form of support—giving, connecting, hosting, or advocating—feels most natural to you? What is one action you can take (now or in the next month) to support young people? What do you commit to? Write this down on your Commitment Card and “I Commit” sign.
Here are some examples of action steps that the Commitment Form invites guests to consider: Giving a monthly recurring or one time gift to support youth-led change. Connecting your community to Mockingbird’s work by sharing about your experience at the gathering, inviting someone from Mockingbird to speak with your network, or introducing someone who you think could support youth-led change to Mockingbird staff. Hosting your own Mockingbird Gathering Advocating by signing up for Mockingbird’s newsletters and advocacy alerts, following us on social media, or subscribing to The Mockingbird Times
What makes you feel like you belong?
OPENING QUESTIONS What made you feel supported by your community as a young person?
REFLECTION & LEARNING
What stood out or challenged an assumption you held?
OPENING QUESTIONS
OPENING QUESTIONS Why did you say yes to this conversation about transforming foster care and ending youth homelessness?
REFLECTION & LEARNING
REFLECTION & LEARNING
When young people have real influence over the realities that affect them, what changes?
Where do you see foster care and homelessness creating barriers and challenges for young people?
What responsibilities do communities have in creating better outcomes for young people?
What does community support mean to you? How does this connect to transforming foster care, ending youth homelessness, and youth-led change?
REFLECTION & LEARNING
REFLECTION & LEARNING
Write this down on your Commitment Card and “I Commit” sign.
MOVING TOWARD ACTION What is one action you can take (now or in the next month) to support young people? What do you commit to?
MOVING TOWARD ACTION Who should be part of this conversation about transforming foster care, ending youth homelessness, and supporting youth-led change?
Which form of support—giving, connecting, hosting, or advocating—feels most natural to you?
MOVING TOWARD ACTION
Why is now the time for community action and advocacy?
MOVING TOWARD ACTION
I COMMIT.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO FILL OUT YOUR COMMITMENT FORM