diff --git a/coffee-table-groups/guides/guide-to-book-clubs.md b/coffee-table-groups/guides/guide-to-book-clubs.md index e18a9f3..0bb4af5 100644 --- a/coffee-table-groups/guides/guide-to-book-clubs.md +++ b/coffee-table-groups/guides/guide-to-book-clubs.md @@ -1,11 +1,77 @@ # Guide to Book Clubs +## Starting a Book Club + +Starting a book club at Virtual Coffee is an exciting way to engage with other members. Any member can initiate a book club by suggesting a book in the `#book-club` channel on Slack. It's a good idea to gauge interest before finalizing your choice. Once you have a book in mind, check with the community about a suitable start date, allowing enough time for members to acquire the book. Consider the reading pace that would work for most participants. + +As the organizer, you'll be responsible for setting up the discussion board, creating weekly question posts, and moderating discussions. We recommend finding a co-organizer to share these responsibilities. Having a co-organizer can help distribute the workload, provide backup if you're unavailable, and bring new perspectives to the discussion questions. You can ask for a co-organizer in the `#book-club` channel when proposing your book. + +Don't worry if you've never led a book club before; the VC community is supportive and will help you along the way. + +## Format + +- Book clubs are generally asynchronous. +- Optional Zoom meetings can be organized to discuss the book at the end. +- Work at your own pace, but communicate this to other participants. + +## Discussion Platform + +All discussions take place on the [VC Book Club discussion board](https://github.com/orgs/Virtual-Coffee/discussions/categories/vc-book-club) on GitHub. + +## Setting Up the Book Club + +1. Create a new post on the discussion board with: + + - A brief description of the book + - The discussion question schedule + +2. For each set of discussion questions: + + - Create a new comment in the main thread + - Include the weekly questions + +## Participation Guidelines + +- Members should reply to the weekly question post with their answers. +- Answers should be threaded under the relevant question comment. + +## Creating Discussion Questions + +- Don't stress about writing perfect questions. +- Focus on aspects you found: + - Interesting + - Confusing + - Worth discussing further + +## Flexibility and Engagement + +- Don't worry if people get too busy to respond regularly. Life happens! +- The questions themselves are valuable for reflection, even if members can't engage. +- Participants can return to the questions and discussions at any time, even after the book club has finished. +- The goal is to provide a framework for thinking about the book, not to create pressure or stress. + We recognize that each Virtual Coffee Book Club is unique and we encourage you to conduct yours how you see fit (and within the bounds of the [Code of Conduct](https://virtualcoffee.io/code-of-conduct)). Below, you'll find some tips and lessons learned from previous Virtual Coffee Book Club leaders in order to help yours be as successful as possible. ## Tips and Lessons Learned Add them here! Feel free to change the header, include multiple sections, whatever feels best. +### What Went Well + +1. **Consistent Scheduling**: Setting a regular cadence for discussions (e.g., weekly) helped maintain momentum. + +2. **Flexibility**: Allowing participants to join late or catch up at their own pace increased engagement. + +3. **Cross-Promotion**: Mentioning the book club in other VC channels occasionally brought in new participants. + +### Things to Do Differently + +1. **More Lead Time**: Providing more notice before starting allowed more people to acquire the book and join from the beginning. + +2. **Shorter Books or Sections**: Some found that shorter books or focusing on specific sections of longer books maintained higher engagement. + +3. **Mid-Point Check-In**: A quick survey or casual check-in halfway through helped adjust the pace or focus if needed. + ## Previous Book Clubs ### Mindset: The New Psychology of Success