THE DEMOCRACY DINNERS

Mark your calendars!  The 2025 Democracy Dinner dates are now set: 6-9pm Saturdays, February 22, April 26, June 28, August 23, and November 8.  Please also note the tentative date of the second Democracy Festival in the Washington, DC region: 1-6pm on Saturday, September 13, 2025.  To attend, RSVP here, then we will email you with full details closer to your Dinner date.    

Why Democracy Dinners?

In the DMV (i.e., the DC-MD-VA or Washington, DC metro region), there are a lot of people who volunteer or get paid to work on varied democracy issues, from local to global levels, yet they often labor in occupational or specialty silos.  The DMV Democracy Dinners bring people in the DC region together across their specialty silos to help advance democracy at local to global levels, and to build the DMV Democracy Learning Community (a.k.a., the DLC or Democracy Community).   

The DLC is an association of DC area individuals and organizations working to make democracy more fun and inclusive by connecting professionals, publics and policymakers via social events, products, services and spaces that nurture fun, learning, networking, collaboration and wider, deeper citizen participation.  The DLC includes the Democracy Dinners, the DMV Democracy Festival, and new in 2025, the DMV Democracy Dispatch.  

During the Dinners, participants (a) become better informed about local to global democracy activities and research happening in the DC region, (b) connect and collaborate with other individuals and organizations doing or interested in doing democracy work, and (c) nurture a sense of community with their peers. 

What is the Democracy Dinner schedule?

The Dinners are held about five times per year, roughly every two months, typically in person, in DC or nearby, on Saturdays, 6-9pm.  In 2025, the Dinners follow this new format:

6:00-7:00: Mingling, as guests arrive.  Drinks and appetizers are served.

7:00-8:30: Dinner and meeting.  The meeting format is new in 2025, and consists of:

Introductions (15 minutes)

Individual and organizational reports (30 min)

Two local individual and/or organizational presentations (10 min each, 20 total)

Discussion of the presentations (25 min)   

8:30-9:00: More mingling.  

Who attends the Democracy Dinners?   

Democracy Dinners bring together democracy professionals and volunteers, including elected officials, activists, scholars, students and others in the Washington DC metro region, and occasional interested visitors from outside the region.  Democracy here encompasses a variety of issues, including: election administration, voting rights, voter mobilization, campaign finance reform, economic democracy, empowering the marginalized, government transparency and accountability, citizen diplomacy, civic education, community volunteering, civic associations, citizen dialogue and policy deliberation, human rights, civil liberties, and else. 

“Democracy Dinners are an exciting opportunity to engage with a cross-section of leaders with unique perspectives and experiences working on various aspects of democracy. We often discuss the big D and the little d of democracy, which makes for very interesting conversations that range from what it means to be a participatory community member locally to what it means to impact global policy and actions. I have learned so much and truly enjoy every opportunity I have to participate.” – Emily Samose, Principal, ECS Consulting 

How many people attend the Dinners?

The Dinners have drawn 10 to 50 participants since Learning Life launched them in June 2019.  In 2025, the Dinners are capped at 30 participants given space constraints.    

What food is served at the Dinners?

The Democracy Dinners typically have three courses.  First, during the reception from 6-7pm, appetizers are served, commonly consisting of a variety of cheeses, spreads, vegetables and crackers.  Second and third, during the meeting from 7 to 8:30pm, the main course then dessert are served.  The main course may be a variety of pizzas, or tasty vegan dishes with plant proteins, typically from locally-owned restaurants.  Dessert usually includes a chocolate or tiramisu cake, a fruit tart, a selection of cookies, and fresh fruit.  In all cases, the Dinners have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

What do the Dinners cost, and how can I pay and RSVP?
Learning Life asks individual Dinner participants to contribute $50, couples or friend/colleague pairs $75, though you can contribute at whatever level you are comfortable with.  For those with lower incomes, $25/person covers the cost of your food and drink.  Any amount contributed above $25 is 100% tax deductible.  Please contribute at this link, and RSVP here for any of the scheduled Dinners. 
 
See the poster below for the benefits of contributing at annual DMV Democracy Learning Community (a.k.a., the DLC or Democracy Community) member or sponsor levels.  DLC dues are not tax deductible because membership confers material benefits.  
How can I get reminders of upcoming Democracy Dinners?

Anyone who wishes to get notices/reminders of upcoming Democracy Dinners should sign up for the free, monthly, email DMV Democracy Dispatch coming in the first half of 2025.  Via The Dispatch, you will get DC area democracy news, events, and people profiles.  

Are there ways to connect between the Dinners?

Yes, two ways beyond The DMV Democracy Dispatch described above.       

First, our Democracy Learning Community Linkedin Group allows people in the DC region to share their democracy-related calls to action or collaboration, publications, events, news, programs, and projects.  

Second, we encourage you to join Learning Life’s overarching Democracy & Diplomacy Community. Annual DDC member dues are inexpensive, confer additional ways to connect and learn, and support our work to widen participation in democracy and diplomacy.