By the People: Success Stories in Community Building

Saturday, January 18th, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

@ OCA Mocha Cafe, Community Room, 5410 East Dr., Arbutus, MD

Re-introducing the “Lightning Talks” series reshaped for today. In recognition of what today is like, we are putting effort back into our communities to go grassroots and build genuine connections. The political climate may feel like you can't do anything, but it's not true. Our first “Lightning Talks” event will be addressing the question, "What does success in community building look like?” These ultra-quick and diverse 2-5 minute presentations explore local examples of successful community building from the Baltimore County and Baltimore City area.

These speakers are organizers, advocates, creatives, teachers, and so many other backgrounds that have found their way to building community and connection. Through their highlights, big mistakes, and advice you can explore some of the ways successful community building looks, even now. Come learn and share with us so we can all leave with a little more to explore.

We hope you leave this event feeling inspired to contribute, support each other in the community, and form your programs for community building.

This is the first of many themed talks so subscribe for updates on events and supporting The Co-op as we create opportunities to build genuine connections and community.

About the Coop:

I started The Community Cooperative to create opportunities for creative smart people (like you) who are looking for a community to find and support. I tried many different variations but a community-funded model feels the most honest to me. It's $30/ month for a membership and Coop holds these types of events (talks, swaps, get-togethers, meetups, performances, etc) and others monthly. The events are creative, and community-oriented, and provide opportunities for genuine connections. We start with an event every month but plan to grow throughout the year as member interests shape Coop events.

PLEASE SIGN UP SO WE KNOW YOU’RE COMING!

SIGN UP ON OUR LUMA CALENDAR: https://lu.ma/n8k2wxwl

Or

Sign up below.

Join us for our first free Community Book Swap on 11/30/24! Fun for book lovers of all ages 💖 Bring any books you no longer want or just yourself!

Check out our community partners:
Better World Imaginarium @betterworldimaginarium is hosting us at their glorious shop!
Maryland Book Bank @mdbookbank generously donated books for the event!

See you there! 🥳🤓

Sign-up and/or Donate

FAQ
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Do I have to bring books to take books?

No, not at all. We have books to take (for free!) from other donations, including several children's, teen, and young adult books, thanks to The Maryland Book Bank for their generous contribution!

Do I have to pay for books?

No! It’s a FREE community event. The Community Cooperative does lots of free community events. If you would like to donate money to Coop doing more of these events please choose an an amount at check out. Otherwise, you are good to go.

Do I need a ticket to come?

Nope, but this does help me know how many people to expect. You can also donate money for more events like this at checkout.

What’s parking like?

When offices are closed, parking is free at the Centers for Advanced Orthopedics parking lot next door. There may also be space at the CAA Park nearby.

In recognition of National Write Your Story Day (March 14th) and World Storytelling Day (March 20th), The Community Cooperative has partnered with Re-Casting the Movies (RCtM) to present “Pride and Prejudice” originally by Jane Austen, adaptation by Kaela Mei- Shing Garvin. Austen wrote the world she knew spun into a story of the layered characters that represented her life. With this performance, we encourage you to think about your stories, write them down, and share them with others. Listen, share, and discover the "follies and nonsense" of these beloved characters as we experience "Pride and Prejudice” together.

We have a pay what you can system for this show, which means if you are able to pay $5 then that’s what you pay. If you are able to pay $25, please do! We, above all, want to see you there. Tickets are on sale now! Click the button below. All tickets get the same access. It really is your choice. Price options are listed below.

ABOUT THE PLAY

In recognition of National Write Your Story Day (March 14th) and World Storytelling Day (March 20th), The Community Cooperative has partnered with Re-Casting the Movies (RCtM) to present “Pride and Prejudice” originally by Jane Austen, adaptation by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin. Austen wrote the world she knew spun into a story of the layered characters that represented her life. With this performance, we encourage you to think about your stories, write them down, and share them with others. Listen, share, and discover the "follies and nonsense" of these beloved characters as we experience "Pride and Prejudice” together.

This live virtual performance will be staged through Zoom and streamed through Youtube Live on the Re-Casting the Movies (RCtM) Youtube Channel on March 12th, 2022 at 6:00 pm EST.

We have a pay what you can system for this show, which means if you are able to pay $5 then that’s what you pay. If you are able to pay $25, please do! We , above all, want to see you there. Tickets are on sale now! Click the button below. All tickets get the same access. It really is your choice. Price options are listed below. GET TICKETS

Choose Your Price:

Meryton ($0)

Longbourn ($5)

Meryton ($10)

Mr. Darcy ($25)

Elizabeth Bennet ($50)

Pemberley ($100)

Rosings Park ($200)

This live virtual performance will be staged through Zoom and streamed through Youtube Live on the Re-Casting the Movies (RCtM) Youtube Channel on March 12th, 2022 at 6:00 pm EST. Tickets are on sale now! The live stream link will be provided via email by 5:30p EST on the day of the performance..

Hey everybody! We're hosting an open studio afternoon at a friend’s place at 1308 River Rd. Crownsville, MD. Come over and work on your pet projects, art projects, homework assignments, high scores, needlepoints, and smutty fanfiction with us. There will be healthy, questionable, and junky snack foods there as well as cupcakes most likely.

We are also group ordering from Gangster Vegan so fill out the form attached at check out with what you want.

Sign Up Link: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/open-studio-co-work-co-create

P.S. - Mini-Con has been postponed for another time. Thank you for your interest. I will make an even better Mini-Con. Just you wait!

Day: Saturday, August 21st

Time: TBA (Tentatively 2p - 4p)

Address: 20315 Georgia Ave, Brookeville, MD 20833

Meet up and hang out with us at Brookville Beer Farm!

Items Available at Checkout

• Snacks

• Coop Stickers

• Coop T-shirt (https://www.customink.com/g/prp0-00ce-dqds )

• Weekend Craft TBA

Sign Up: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/meetup-brookville-beer-farm

Tuesday, July 27th

In recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we are continuing the “Lightning Talks” event will be all about the vibrancy and authenticity of the LGBTQ+ community. These ultra-quick and diverse 2-3 minute presentations explore significant figures, interesting experiences, and the historic context of this community of people.

Tell us about your exploration of your new favorite LGBTQ+ lead and serving organizations, a snippet biography of a creator, or any other badass human in this movement you have become aware of this month. We want to hear it all! Learn, share, and our LGBTQ+ community members with us so we can all leave with a little more to explore.

Get Tickets Here: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/lightning-talks-lgbtq-pride

Plan to stick around until 8:30 pm to participate in the extended discussions of presented topics. Zoom Link sent at 6:45 pm on the day of the event.

Day: Saturday, July 17th

Time: TBA (Tentatively 2p - 4p)

Address: 22529 Wildcat Rd, Germantown, MD 20876

Meet up and hang out with us at Doc Waters Cidery!

Items Available at Checkout

• Snacks

• Coop Stickers

• Coop T-shirt

• Weekend Craft TBA

Sign Up: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/meetup-doc-waters-cidery

Day: Friday, June 25th

Time: 6p - 8p

Address: 8253 Dollyhyde Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771

Meet up and hang out with us at Milkhouse Brewery!

Items Available at Checkout

• Snacks

• Coop Stickers

• Coop T-shirt

• Weekend Craft TBA

Sign Up: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/meetup-milkhouse-brewery

Saturday, June 5th 2p - 4p

What we doing?

We are going on a hike! I like to call them vigorous walks so they're not so intimidating, but yes, a hike. We will be hiking in the Frederick Municipal Forrest, which is about a 3.8-mile loop and should take around 2hrs. I am a slow hiker so I will bring up the rear. This trail has several up and down points so wear your good shoes. A hike, a snack, and an air high-five!

Where we at?

For this group hike, we will be hiking Frederick Municipal Forrest most likely an amalgamation of the Buck Flats and Catoctin Recreation Trail. Use this all trails map for reference. The reference trail is a 3.8-mile loop that is rated as easy on All Trails and should take around 2 hrs. Learn more about this trail here. We’ll meet at the trailhead here (Coming Soon!).

For everyone’s safety and your own WEAR A MASK

Oh, we got plans?

Yup! By plans, I mean snacks. Bring yourself for obvious reasons and your water bottle for hydration reasons. I’ll bring the snacks! If you are ordering a Coop 2021 t-shirt (Select the $25 “Company, water, snacks, sticker, and Coop t-shirt” option at checkout"), be sure to use this order form by May 15th https://www.customink.com/g/prp0-00ce-dqds and I will bring it with me to another event or mail it to you.

Hot-tip.

If you have seasonal allergies, please take your appropriate allergy medication. Talk to your doctor before doing this if you have any concerns. If you have an inhaler or any other health-related items for your wellbeing please bring them! I am relying on your to know your own limits and know what you need.

Items Available at Sign Up

• Hiking snack pack

• Community Coop Sticker

• Community Coop T-shirt (https://www.customink.com/g/prp0-00ce-dqds )

Sign Up: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/summer-hike-frederick-municipal-forrest

“If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear!” Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

8:00 pm EST May 22nd, 2021

In recognition of World Goth Day on May 22nd, The Community Cooperative has partnered with Re-Casting the Movies (RCtM) to present “Frankenstein” originally by Mary Shelley, and adaptation by Alexander Utz. Listen in as Mary Shelly tells her nightmarish tale of a creature and his master. This queer reading of “Frankenstein” explores the subtext of the relationship between Henry Clearvel and Victor Frankenstein as well as the power play between Mary Shelley and her listeners. As Utz says, ”Perhaps the monsters we conjure are not always as inhuman as they seem.” Revel in Utz’s uncomfortable and strange tale of Frankenstein’s gruesome creation.

Bonus: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a trans support organization local to Brooklyn, NYC the Audre Lorde Project supporting LGBTQ+ People of Color through community organizing and capacity building. Support our friends and more Coop x RCtM performances by purchasing a $20 ticket at the checkout.

*Performance will be on YouTube Live! Link Sent at 7:45 pm EST on Saturday, May 22nd.

Get Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/Frankenstein

Check out the Online Playbill: https://www.thecommunityco.org/frankenstein

First in-person Coop event in over a year!

Saturday, May 8th, 2p - 4p

What we doing?

We are going on a hike! I like to call them vigorous walks so they're not so intimidating, but yes, a hike. We will be hiking the Serpentine Trail at Soldiers Delight, which is about 2.4 miles and should take around 1hr and 15 - ish min. I am a slow hiker so I will bring up the rear, but it will be fun all the same. A hike, a snack, and an air high-five!

Where we at?

For this group hike, we will be at Soilder’s Delight’s Serpentine Trail. The Serpentine Trail is a 2.4-mile hike that is rated as easy on All Trails. Learn more about this trail here. We’ll meet at the trailhead here (Coming Soon!).

Serpentine Trail, Owings Mills, MD 21117

For everyone’s safety and your own WEAR A MASK

Oh, we got plans?

Yup! By plans, I mean snacks. Bring yourself for obvious reasons and your water bottle for hydration reasons. I’ll bring the snacks! If you are ordering a Coop 2021 t-shirt (Select the $25 “Company, water, snacks, sticker, and Coop t-shirt” option at checkout"), be sure to use this order form by May 15th https://www.customink.com/g/prp0-00ce-dqds and I will bring it with me to another event or mail it to you.

Hot-tip.

If you have seasonal allergies, please take your appropriate allergy medication. Talk to your doctor before doing this if you have any concerns. If you have an inhaler or any other health-related items for your wellbeing please bring them! I am relying on your to know your own limits and know what you need.

Items Available at Sign Up

• Hiking snack pack

• Community Coop Sticker

• Community Coop T-shirt (https://www.customink.com/g/prp0-00ce-dqds )

Sign Up: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/spring-coop-hike

In light of all violence against Asians, it's about time we stepped back to celebrate and recognize them. Join us for a special Lightning Talks on Asian Culture and Contributions with a Panel Discussion. Share your social perspectives, cultural experiences, and things you learned about how Asian people have contributed to humanity.

As a special treat we are partnering with We Are Heroes Productions LLC, the creators of Tabletop For the End of the World (TFEW) to host a panel discussion surrounding the AAPI experience. To learn more about We Are Heroes flagship production, search @tfewcast on all platforms by clicking on the links above.

The panel will hold space for sharing the Asian experience in these times and how we move forward from the stereotypes we lay on each other. In support of that hope, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Stop AAPI Hate to support the resilience of the Asian American community through technical support, language resources, and advocating for policy change among many other efforts.

Get Your Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/lightning-talks-asian-culture-and-contribution

*If you would like to present please email me your topic at thecommunitycooperative@gmail.com *

Zoom Link sent at 6:45 pm on the day of the event.

*Ticket prices are $0, $3, $5, $10. Pick your price. Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu at checkout.

Join us for a completely ridiculous bad movie night!

Let’s watch “Frankenstein” in all of its made for tv gothic horror goodness. Cringe the acting, heckle the cinematic effects, join the fun, and most of all laugh really hard.

We will be using w.kast.live for the virtual showing. Virtual viewing room link will be sent by email by 6:45 pm on the day. Ticket prices are $0, $3, $5, or $10. Pick your price at check out.

Get Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/bad-movie-night-frankenstein

YouTube Video

7p - 8p EST Tuesday, April 6th, 2021

This month’s PositiviTea is all about developing a personal Self Care Menu. Watch me work on my pretty list of all the things I do to take care of myself this month.

Share good news. Get good news. Practice positivity.

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/positivitea-workshop-self-care-menu-tickets-148511171913

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Inspired by:

Clear, James. Atomic habits: tiny changes, remarkable results: an easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery, 2018.

Brenner MD, Abigail. “How to Change Your Behavior for Good”. Psychology Today June 25, 2013. Accessed 3/28/2021 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201306/how-change-your-behavior-good

Sirois, Fuschia M., Ryan Kitner, and Jameson K. Hirsch. "Self-compassion, affect, and health-promoting behaviors." Health Psychology 34, no. 6 (2015): 661.

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, March 25th, 2021

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we are continuing the “Lightning Talks” event will be all about women. These ultra-quick and diverse 2-3 minute presentations explore interesting niches in a variety of themes about women of history and women lead organizations etc.

Tell us about your exploration of your new favorite women lead organizations, a snippet biography of a woman creator, or any other badass woman you have became aware of this month. We want to hear it all! Learn and share with us so we can all leave with a little more to explore.

Plan to stick around until 8:30 pm to participate in the extended discussions of presented topics. We are also still looking for people willing to share as presenters in this round of Lightning Talks. Please indicate your interest in our form at check out!

Zoom Link sent at 6:45 pm on the day of the event.

Get Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/lightning-talks-womens-history-month

*Ticket prices are $0, $3, $5, $10. Pick your price. Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu at checkout.

7 pm - 8 pm, March 9th, 2021

Join us for a moment to step back from the chaos and start your week in a positive space. Take some time to relax, drink some tea, and just breathe with us. Set your mind towards positivity by sharing uplifting stories to breathe some energy back into your life. This will be a time to connect, reset, and re-center ourselves. We’ll ready ourselves to go back out into the world and kick some ass :D

Zoom Link sent at 6:45 pm on the day of the event.

Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/positivi-tea-3

*Ticket prices are $0, $3, $5, $10. Pick your price. Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu at checkout.

Friday, February 26th, 2021, 7p - 8p EST

Introducing the “Lightning Talks” series! In recognition of Black History Month, our first “Lightning Talks” event will be addressing the question, “What did you learn about Black History this month?” These ultra-quick and diverse 2-3 minute presentations explore interesting niches in a variety of themes about Black history or Black culture.

Tell us about your exploration of Southern Black folk songs, a new incredibly creative Black fashion website you found, or even a snippet biography of a Black creator you became aware of this month. We want to hear it all! Learn and share with us so we can all leave with a little more to explore.

We are still looking for people willing to share as presenters in this round of Lightning Talks. Please indicate your interest in our form at check out!

P.S. - This is the first of many themed sorry presentation nights so subscribe for updates.

Zoom Link sent at 6:45 pm on the day of the event.

*Ticket prices are $0, $3, $5, $10. Pick your price. Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu at checkout.

Thursday, February 18th, 2021. 6p -9p

Welcome to our Digital Co-working space, the reimagined “Open Studio”! Come in, socialize, find your working corner, or find a collaborative creator’s group. Coop makes this space available so that the brilliant doers and creators of our Coop family can have a virtual semi-social space to work towards their goals.

Open Studio is for…

• marketers, advertisers, social media specialists

• teachers, professors, tutors

• actors, producers, directors

• scientists, researchers, writers

• administrators, coordinators, managers

• creators and doers of all kinds looking for a semi-social digital coworking space

Topia Room Link sent by email at 5:45p the day of the event.

Get Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/open-studio-virtual-world

*Ticket prices are $0, $3, $5, $10. Pick your price. Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu at checkout.

Pay if you can, don’t if you can’t with your new “Pick Your Price” drop-down for digital events.

February 9th, 2020 7pm - 8pm EST

Start your week and your year in a positive space. Relax, drink some tea, and just breathe with us. Set your mind towards being positive by sharing uplifting stories to breathe some energy back into your life.

• acknowledge the good stuff that happened last year and last month

• do a meditation and mindfulness exercise via calm app\

• embrace the positive things to come in our lives

Zoom Link sent by email at 6:45p the day of the event.

Get Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/positivitea-1

*Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu at checkout.

Pay if you can, don’t if you can’t with your new “Pick Your Price” drop-down for digital events.

Grab your favorite notebook and as many pens as you like because it’s a doodle night! Join our zoom chat answering silly questions and sharing funny stories while you doodle away.

Zoom information emailed at 5:45 pm on the day of the event. Pick what you can pay at $0, $3, or $5 at checkout. Get your tickets here: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/doodle-party

YouTube video premier: “‘All for one and one for all.’: The individual and the community.”

The Community Cooperative YouTube Channel: Hello Hello by Coop

Friday, January 22nd. 6p - 8p

Missing Paint Night out with the squad? Hang out on zoom with us for a chill paint night taught by Molly. Molly uses watercolor and pen, but art can be adapted to many different mediums so just have fun. Molly will also start setting her art pretty soon too so check the horizon for those lovely prints and postcards.

Zoom information emailed at 5:45 pm on the day of the event. Pick what you can pay at $0, $3, or $5. Get your tickets here: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/paint-night-w-molly

Check out Molly on Instagram @woah_domino.

Bonus: Possible special guest appearance by Willow the Cat!

YouTube video premier: “Hello Hello 2021”

The Community Cooperative YouTube Channel: Hello Hello by Coop

January 12th, 2020 7pm - 8pm EST

Start your week and your year in a positive space. Relax, drink some tea, and just breathe with us. Set your mind towards being positive by sharing uplifting stories to breathe some energy back into your life. This will be a time to acknowledge 2020, reset our intentions for 2021, and connect with each other.

Zoom Link sent by email at 6:45p the day of the event. Get tickets here: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/positivitea

Pick what you can pay at $0, $3, or $5 at checkout.

YouTube video premier: “Love Letter to 2020”

The Community Cooperative YouTube Channel: Hello Hello by Coop

Thursday, January 7th. 6p - 8p EST

Wanna manifest some things? It’s the time!

We’ll make vision boards and chat about the new year. I know we’re all a little bit (a lotta bit) scarred from 2020, but let’s give 2021 a chance.

Free event, but contributions to the Coop is always welcome! Get your tickets here: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/digital-vision-board-togther

Zoom details emailed by 5:45 pm day of the event.

Check out our YouTube video “3 Tips for Saying Goodbye”

The Community Cooperative YouTube Channel: Hello Hello by Coop

December 11th, 8:00 pm -9:30 pm

The Community Cooperative is teaming up with Recasting the Movies to bring you a digital dose of holiday cheer. We are bringing you a dramatic reading of the classic Christmas tale “A Christmas Carol” originally by Charles Dickens and adapted by Frederick Gaines. Do you love the 1800s era feel-good plays? Do you want to see a rich old codger get the pants scared off of him for being a skinflint? What could be more appropriate for millennials at Christmastime? Join us around the computer season for a lesson in keeping Christmas in your heart always.

Bonus: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to an organization supporting performers through this tough year. Long live the artist!

Bonus: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to an organization supporting performers through this tough year. Long live the artist!

*Performance will be on YouTube Live! Link Sent at 7:45 pm EST on Friday, December, 11th.

Feeling extra merry? Purchase a $10 ticket* at check out!

Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/a-dramatic-reading-of-a-christmas-carol

Open Studio Resume Brigade. Have you been doing a TON of new things lately? Have you taken on more responsibility or learned new skills at work? If you have, UPDATE YOUR RESUME! Editing resumes can be a little boring and crafting those tiny sentences requires some creativity. Come hang out on zoom with us so we can all work on our resumes together. I look forward to seeing you there!

7:00 p- 7:30 p Participant and project Introductions
7:30 p - 8:45 p Collaborative group set up
8:45 p - 9 p Successes, Opportunities, and Wrap-up

Tickets: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/open-studio-resume-brigade
*Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu.

Open Studio for friends and for focus. Are you working on a project and need some advice? Or maybe you want to work with people around in companionable silence? Join this Friends and Focus edition of the Open Studio. We will have at least two rooms. One for “Companionable Silence” to work in and one (or more) for solution-driven discussions. I look forward to seeing you in either!

7:00 p- 7:30 p Participant and project Introductions
7:30 p - 8 p Collaborative group set up
8 p - 8:45 p Collaboration stations

• Companionable Silence

• Solution Driven Discussion

• Other

8:45 p - 9 p Successes, Opportunities, and Wrap-up

Get your ticket here: https://www.thecommunityco.org/shop-the-coop/open-studio-friends-and-focus

*Free tickets available from our “Pay it Forward” program. Select $0 in the drop-down menu. First come, first serve.

Pay if you can, don’t if you can’t with your new “Pick Your Price” drop-down for digital events. Consider the “Pay it Forward” option in the Coop Shop to help offset other free admissions. If not this time then consider purchasing a block next time.