A Village is a club-like structure for a local neighborhood. It provides a regular gathering space where members can propose ideas or activities and practice meaningful social connections. VillageCo offers a recommended structure and supports individuals who want to start one in their area.

No. Villages are place-based, not topic-based. While a Village may exist within a topic-focused organization (such as a nonprofit or yoga studio), the Village itself remains open to any activities or ideas proposed by members.

Yes. Villages have formed within nonprofits, businesses, yoga studios, and entire small towns. If a whole town feels like one neighborhood, it can function as a single Village and later be split if it grows beyond roughly 150 members.

Yes. Villages can meet effectively online, allowing members to participate from anywhere as long as they have internet access.

Villages do not formally interact with one another. Some individuals may belong to multiple Villages and offer events across groups, but Leads are encouraged to focus on stewarding their own local community.

VillageCo uses a club-based, bottom-up model built collaboratively with experienced community organizers. Unlike top-down or single-format models, Villages allow members to propose activities freely and connect with local assets and opportunities in their area.

The Village Model emphasizes clear roles, allowing even busy people to contribute in specific, manageable ways. Regular gatherings also make participation easier by offering consistent opportunities to join.

Start by finding the few people who are interested. Once a group is established, those who were initially hesitant often decide to give it a try.e

Yes. Anyone can attend Village gatherings, be a member, and take on roles such as host or co-host. Leads actively recruit members as part of building their Village.

Villages use a variety of outreach methods, including social media platforms (Nextdoor, Facebook, LinkedIn), door-to-door flyers, posters, and in-person invitations.

Yes. VillageCo relies on volunteers to spread the word and provides an outreach toolkit with images, example text, and videos to support sharing within specific communities or organizations.

There are too many to list, and it’s hard to know which are active, as many have gone dormant, but here are a few of the larger ones: 

Camerados (camerados.org) - members organize weekly 2-hour “public living rooms” where locals can hang out.

Chamber of Connection (www.chamberofconnection.org) - organizes more top-down from the City level to promote connection and belonging.

ProSocial (www.prosocial.world) - provides workshops and peer support groups to help groups become more cooperative, adaptable, and resilient.

It is a co-learning experience running from January to April 2026, where Leads apply the Gathering Model to test its effectiveness and improve it for future groups.

The goal is to help Leads build a local Village by inviting people they know, hosting a first gathering, doing outreach, growing to around 20 members, and encouraging about 5 members to take on roles.

Leads test and apply the Village Gathering Model in real communities. Their experiences help VillageCo learn what works best and refine the model for future groups.

Leads receive:

• Weekly training and check-in calls

• Dedicated 1:1 support

• Access to the Village Library (posters, scripts, checklists)

• Access to the Village Platform for tracking and communication

Leads commit for one year, with the primary focus on launching and growing the Village during the pilot phase from January to April 2026.

No. There is no fee to participate as a Lead or a Village member.

Yes. A research team observes the Leads to understand how the model is used and what outcomes result. These insights are used to improve the Village Gathering Model and tools.

Research shows that social connection improves mental and physical health. Villages act as a “third space” beyond home and work, offering regular opportunities to practice connection, similar to a gym for social interaction.

A way will be provided for interested participants who cannot attend. Registration for the Info Session is still recommended to receive all relevant information. After the Info Session, the Cohort will be closed.