OrangeBand: Tie it to Conversation Café!

by Kai Degner, founder, OrangeBand

"Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation." - Kin Hubbard

Isn't it ironic that what matters most can be the most difficult to bring into conversation? So often, we are wanting and willing to move our conversations deeper, but there's no easy transition or safe environment. In 2003, some friends and I were discussing this and decided to try something to change this. It's called The OrangeBand Initiative. It's simple, it's fun, it works - and it can add a meaningful dimension to your next Conversation Café!

OrangeBands are strips of orange fabric that serve as invitations to respectful conversation about issues that we feel are important. The idea is simply put an OrangeBand someplace visible, and wait for the question, "Hey, what's that orange thing for?" or even, "What's your OrangeBand?" When asked, people can freely move the conversation to what matters to them.

Since 2003, almost 10,000 people have taken OrangeBands, chapters exist in six states, and countless conversations have started.  Colleges and high schools are mainly involved, but senior citizens, soccer moms, and professionals receive the effort with matched enthusiasm.  The overwhelmingly positive response suggests a widespread yearning for meaningful, relationship-building conversations. 

As a Conversation Café host myself, OrangeBand is a powerful complement to my discussions.  Tying the band around the talking object enforces the agreements.  Offering OrangeBands to participants afterwards gives them the option to literally take the conversation back to their friends, family, and colleagues - and advertise the next Café!

Conversation Café, like OrangeBand, has a chance to make a real difference for one reason: it's powerful in its simplicity, and it can be different every time.  Together, they make a powerful combination - as Conversation Week will illustrate.  www.OrangeBand.org