Building community doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with showing up, sharing a table, and trying something new together.
The Center for HumanKindness is hosting a new series on social clubs and you’re invited! These workshops are designed to help curious central Ohioans explore what clubs look like in practice and how they can become powerful tools for connection.
Each workshop highlights a different type of social club and brings together people who have seen firsthand how these simple gatherings can foster belonging.
All workshops take place at The Columbus Foundation (1234 East Broad Street, Columbus) from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Snacks will be provided.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Cookbook Clubs
Thursday, February 19 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Cookbook clubs offer a fun, low-pressure way to build community through food, recipes, and conversation. In this workshop, we’ll explore how a few different cookbook clubs work, what makes them successful, and why sharing meals can be such a powerful connector.
Panelists:
Bethia Woolf, Sam & Tania Peterson
Bethia, Sam, and Tania are avid cooks and members of a cookbook club that has been going strong for 10+ years and has collectively cooked over 1000 recipes.
Meredith Whittaker
Worthington Libraries
Meredith has both participated in and hosted a cookbook club that brings neighbors together through simple, recurring gatherings—using food as a starting point for conversation and belonging.
Mindy Bilyeu
Westerville Public Library
Mindy supports community-centered programming at the Westerville Public Library and has seen how cookbook clubs create easy, welcoming entry points for connection around food and shared curiosity.
Board Game Clubs
Monday, March 2 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Board game clubs provide an easy entry point into connection through play. This session will focus on how games create space for laughter, learning, and relationships—and how game-centered clubs are great for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Panelists:
Aaron Brown
Founder and Owner, Tabletop Game Cafe
Aaron owns Tabletop Game Cafe, a community-focused space where games help break down barriers and bring people together.
Cheryl Harrison
Founder, Beers and Board Games Club
Cheryl founded Beers and Board Games to create a relaxed, inclusive space where people can connect naturally through play and shared time.
WHY IT MATTERS
A recent national report on social connection shows something encouraging: people feel better, happier, and more connected when they have simple, regular ways to spend time with others. Social clubs—whether it’s a book club, a walking group, or a crafting circle—offer an easy, welcoming way to do just that.
At the same time, the report reveals a challenge. Fifty-seven percent of Americans don’t belong to any club or organization, and of those who do, only about half participate regularly. This mirrors decades of research, including the work of Robert Putnam, showing that participation in social organizations has been declining for years. This decline has real implications for our well-being, our communities, and even our democracy.
Social clubs help meet this moment by creating space for people to gather, connect, and belong—often in simple, low-pressure ways. You don’t need to have all the answers to take part—just a willingness to show up.
The Center for HumanKindness is a collaboration between The Columbus Foundation and the Walter Foundation.