If you’ve been thinking of launching a meetup or forming a club to connect with others with similar interests or hobbies, if you need a place for a book signing, to teach a class, or for the nonprofit board you serve on to meet, we’ve got just the place. Actually, YOU, have.

The meeting rooms (and sometimes other rooms) at Cowork Frederick are available for community (member) events and (with a member discount) for private events. Throw a baby shower. Celebrate the launch of a website. Organize a hackathon or a reading circle. Some events pack our Community Room. Some are casual and small. Some are recurring. Some are one-time. There is no “right” kind of event, but there is a right way to hold events at Cowork Frederick. Read on.

Planning a Community Event #

The only difference between you and someone who has already run an event at Cowork Frederick is that they’ve done it. Ready to plan a community event? Here are some tips:

1. The best events are inclusive and invite participation from fellow members.
   Ask yourself, how does this event bring members of the community together? How can members contribute? We mean it when we say “Because together is better”. Teamwork is how we roll. This community has a wide variety of skills and resources. Don’t waste that.
2. Talk to Kaite or Julia.
   We want to know what you’re planning so we can help.
3. “Own” the event and everything related to it.
   It rarely works to start something and leave it to others to finish. Lead the effort. Coordinate tasks (see #1), plan the details, and make sure everything is ready for the event.
4. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.
   Share as much as you can, as often as you can, using multiple channels. Post flyers. Post on Slack. Talk to people. Talking – and listening – is the best way to get feedback about your event.
5. Work the steps.
   See below.

Steps for hosting a community event: #

• Come up with a crazy-cool idea and have the courage to run with it!
• Take an initial poll of interest (via Slack, in person, etc.)
• Move forward if you have at least 5 people who want to participate
• Check with Kaite about dates! She can help you determine the appropriate space, check the calendar, and block space for you if needed
• Make & display posters
• Make an initial Slack post in the appropriate channel. Is it a one-time thing? Probably #member-chat-room. Is it a regular thing, like trivia downtown? Create a channel for it like #pubtrivia
  (NOTE: If you hold your entire planning conversation within the thread attached to the post, nobody but the people in the thread will be notified of your ongoing conversation. You should post to #member-chat-room with periodic updates, including a post close to the event that has the final details included.)
• Keep communicating (in Slack and in person) – right up to the event
• Afterwards, chat with us about lessons learned, so we can do even better with the next event

Past Community Event Examples #

Here are some examples of past events and activities organized by Cowork members:

• Game Night (Emily Lucas)
• Creative Work Session – work on your own project, with others (Courtney Johnson)
• Indie Movie Night (Leticia Genelhu)
• AWS Meetup educational presentations (Patrick Pierson)
• Pub Trivia (Jen Gauck)
• Business Launch / Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (Teddy Galloway)
• Writers Group (Adam Silcott)
• 10th Anniversary Celebration for SOS Safe Ride and (member) Wayne Dorsy (Emily Lucas)

Renting space for your private event #

You can also hold your client workshops, design sessions, board meetings, etc. – events meant for a private group of people – here. Cowork Frederick meeting rooms (conference & community) are available to members at discounted rates. Book the meeting room the usual way on the website and use coupon code MBR-30 or, if you have an “All-in” or office membership, use the meeting room credits we issue you (then, if needed, use MBR-30 when those run out).

Event Guidelines #

These guidelines apply whether you’re organizing a private event, class, workshop, etc. for your clients, friends, or family, or you’re organizing an event for members of Cowork Frederick.

• First, and foremost, all attendees should abide by our Playground Rules.
• Meeting rooms must be reserved. Most members get a big discount on meeting room reservations for their own events. Rooms are free for Cowork Frederick events (see Julia).
• You’re responsible for cleaning up afterwards. Leave the place like you found it (or better). Put the tables and chairs back, wipe things off, take out the trash, run the dishwasher, etc.