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People’s Bill of Rights 250People’s Bill of Rights 250 House Party

Host dashboard

You’ve got this.

No facilitation experience needed. You don’t need to be a political expert, and there’s no right or wrong way to bring people together. We’ve put together a few ideas to get you started, but make this your own. Bring your personality, your people, some good food, some laughter, and joy.

Above all, lead with love and curiosity. This isn’t about winning arguments. It’s about really listening to one another, finding the things we care about, and imagining what we could build from that common ground. Because changing this country starts with how we show up for each other.

30–90 minutes · 6–15 guests ideal

A living room, backyard, dorm, community center, neighborhood gathering, or virtual hangout.

Party details

These fill in your invitations automatically. Go to invitations.

Host checklist

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Run of show

Pick the length that fits your evening. Below is a guide to how your party could flow, but make it your own! Scroll down for more ideas of how to open up the party and create a safe and warm space for genuine conversation.

  1. 0–15 min

    Come on in

    Food, drinks, music, a provocative question on the wall

  2. 15–20 min

    Why we’re here

    Quick introduction to the People’s Bill of Rights 250 and the big question

  3. 20–40 min

    Let’s Talk Rights

    Play the Democracy card game. Draw cards, share stories, imagine new possibilities

  4. 40–55 min

    Find Our Common Ground

    Use the Rights Wall and/or Rights from the Future activities to explore which ideas resonate, where people agree, and what deserves further discussion.

  5. 55–75 min

    Put It on the Map

    Everyone opens the ideas platform, explores ideas, votes, and contributes their own

  6. 75–90 min

    Pass It On

    Group photo with consent, invitations to host, and next steps

Opening script

This is just a jumping off point - some words to get you started. Add your own story. Welcome your people in as only you know how to.

Welcome, everyone! I’m so glad you’re here.

We spend a lot of time talking about what’s wrong with America. What isn’t working, what divides us, what we’re afraid of losing. And those conversations matter. But we spend far less time talking about what we actually want to build. What a better future could look like, not just for ourselves, but for everyone.

So tonight, we’re going to make some space for that. For imagination, for possibility, and for a little joy in thinking about the future together.

We’re going to talk about America. But not about politicians or political parties, or who’s right and who’s wrong. We’re going to talk about our lives, our families, our communities, and the things we believe everyone deserves. And the question: What rights should belong to every person in America?

That’s the question at the heart of the People’s Bill of Rights 250. We’re bringing together ideas from people across the country - including what emerges from conversations like tonight’s - to discover where we agree and work toward turning those shared ideas into rights protected by law.

So tonight is really about us. We come with different experiences, perspectives, frustrations, and hopes. We don’t have to agree on everything. In fact, we probably won’t. But we might be surprised by where we find common ground, what we learn from each other, and what new possibilities emerge.

We’ll play a few games, share some stories, and spend some time imagining the kind of country we’d actually be excited to live in, and leave to the next generation.

So grab some food, get comfortable, and let’s get to work. Changing this country can only happen when we decide what we want it to become.

Suggested Ground Rules

Add or adapt these to best fit your group. Read the ground rules out before conversations get started and ask everyone to agree to them. Then, if you run into a tricky situation or an argument starts getting heated, ask everyone to return to the rules and reset.

  1. 1Be curious, not combative. Ask questions before making assumptions.
  2. 2Speak from your experience. Your stories and experiences matter.
  3. 3Make room. Everyone deserves a chance to speak, and anyone can pass.
  4. 4Disagree without disrespect. We don’t need to think alike (in fact, sometimes it is more powerful when we don’t) to build something better, together.
  5. 5Imagine bigger. Don’t limit your ideas to what seems politically possible today. Think and dream expansively. That is how audacious change happens.

Facilitation tips

  • You’re a host, not an expert. Your job is to ask and listen.
  • Let silence sit for a moment — people need time to think.
  • Invite quieter guests in gently, and always honor a pass.
  • If a conversation becomes heated, return to the ground rules and ask: “What experience or concern is underneath that opinion?” or “What do you think you’re both trying to protect?”
  • No one should feel pressured to reveal personal experiences, political affiliations, or sensitive information.
  • Keep paper worksheets handy for anyone who’d rather not use a phone.