Before you outsource or over-engineer, ask:
1. Is this something a community member could help create?
- Playlist? Let a member curate it.
- Welcome message? Invite someone to write it.
- Signage, graphics, or setup? Ask for early volunteers.
2. Does it feel too finished to be contributed to?
- If it looks done, people won't feel invited to shape it.
- Leave some rough edges. Let people fill in the blanks.
3. Are you prioritizing perfection over participation?
- A perfect event run by staff does not equal a great experience for members.
- A little chaos invites collaboration.
4. Have you shown your own fingerprints?
- Did you write the note?
- Make the playlist?
- Share the behind-the-scenes struggle?
Reminder: People connect with the messy middle more than the polished ending.
5. Can people point to something and say, "I helped build that"?
- The most powerful form of belonging is ownership.
- Leave space for people to co-create, not just consume.
When in doubt: take a breath. step back. chill.
You're not throwing a gala. You're hosting a block party.