THIS ARTICLE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND NOT FINISHED YET. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. 4/25/2022

I wrote a blog article the day after I hosted a Cuddle Party for 33 participants. With that many people, the Welcome Circle was a lot longer than usual because everyone has a chance to participate. It took more than one and half hours. At the end of the event, all the feedback I got was overwhelmingly positive, except - multiple people told me the Welcome Circle was too long.

Now, I did add a little exercise of my own that extended the circle a bit. Folks were getting restless and I wanted them to get up and move around a bit so they could settle for the remainder of the circle. We did the egg matching game. It did not go as well as I wanted it to. However, it did accomplish the goal of allowing folks to get to interact with more people in the welcome exercises and also getting them up and moving for a minute when they were restless. Given the circumstances, I still think it was the right choice. Although I would facilitate the exercise differently if I did it again today.

The Welcome Circle needs to be long because we get comfortable with each other by sharing experiences. Even if you sit without talking next to someone for an hour, you will start to develop a familiarity and comfort level with them which is different from when you just sat down.

Why do we even do a Welcome Circle? What if we just gave everyone a handout with the 'Rules' written on it and asked them to read and sign it at the door? Would we be able to create the same experiences or atmosphere we have at Cuddle Party? I think the answer is No.

What is the the actual purpose of the Welcome Circle?
Most participants would probably tell you it is so we can establish the rules. This is not quite correct. Getting our expectations and agreements out at the beginning and mutually agreeing to abide by them is a fundamental part of the Welcome Circle, but it is not done by giving the group a lecture on what the rules are. Or, in my opinion, it would not be done well if it were done that way. We have to establish a mutual understanding and working knowledge of the agreements and actually understand and authentically agree that this framework is what we follow for the remainder of our time together tonight.


Do you have a question or want more clarification? Want to send me feedback?
Please email me at MaryCuddler@gmail.com.

Mary Sorensen is a Cuddle Party Facilitator, Cuddlist practitioner, writer and speaker who wishes she could quit her day job as an office manager in Salt Lake City. She loves to sing, work in the garden, read and talk about communication. She also loves to facilitate events and opportunities for fellow explorers as they seek to become the highest and best version of themself. www.MaryCuddler.com

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