**Community Cuddles for the Human Connection Conference start at 10am!**

The following is a Community Cuddles Itinerary for a 3:30 – 7pm event.

3:30 PM – Cuddlers arrive, help set up blankets and pillows, share snacks, get a feel for the space, and socialize.

3:45 PM – Welcome Circle. This is the most important part of the event and we ask that all attendees be present for the whole Welcome Circle. This part of the event will include practice setting boundaries and communicating around consent. If desired, you could maintain social distancing while doing the Welcome Circle; no touch is required. Sometimes people come for the Welcome Circle and then leave. This is a totally valid option and you won’t be asked to explain yourself.

5 – 6:30 PM – Open cuddling! Per cuddle party rules, you MUST ask and get a verbal ‘yes’ before touching or cuddling with anybody at this event and you don’t have to touch anyone ever. If you are not sure how to do this – great! We will talk about it during the Welcome Circle.**

6:30 – 6:45 PM — Closing Circle. Share insights and takeaways before helping to fold up the blankets, finish the snacks, and head home.

7 PM – Packing the cars, leaving no trace, and everyone has said their goodbyes or made plans to meet elsewhere.

ETIQUETTE

ARRIVE ON TIME: It is important that all participants arrive before the Welcome Circle. The Welcome Circle serves the purpose of creating the safe space for consensual, non-sexual touch between participants and making sure that everyone is informed about the rules of cuddling.* While you must arrive on time (by 4) you may leave at any time.

HOW TO PREPARE: Shower and brush your teeth but don’t use strong scents. Many of us get headaches or would rather not be close to someone who smells of cigarettes, perfume, or even essential oils. Your clean self is a good smell.

BE SOBER: Do not drink or smoke before or at this event.

WHAT TO WEAR: Pants and a shirt. Pajamas. Sweatpants, yoga pants, onesies, t-shirts, sweatshirts are all welcome – anything that you feel comfortable in. Please stay clothed in a minimum of shorts and a t-shirt for the entire event. Please do not wear anything that you consider sexy or risque – think elementary school slumber party.

WHAT TO BRING: You may bring healthy snacks to share. Blankets, pillows, and anything else cuddly help make the space more comfortable. You are welcome to wear a mask if you choose. The only thing that you are required to bring is a clean and sober you.

TICKETS: Buy your ticket via the Eventbrite link. No need to print your ticket. If you’d prefer to pay cash or need financial assistance (no one will be turned away because of $), let Kassandra know by emailing kassandra@kassandrabrown.org or texting 720-340-2246.

CANCELLATION OR REFUNDS: If weather, covid or other things beyond our control require cancelling this event, your ticket will be good for any other Community Cuddles event within the next 6 months. Need to cancel for just you? Contact Kassandra before the event and we’ll work out the details on a case-by-case basis. Human Connection Conference tickets are non-refundable but are transferable to another participant.

COMMUNITY CUDDLES GUIDELINES
( based on the Rules of CuddleParty.com)
1. You agree to keep this event non-sexual in both words and body language.
2. You will speak up or move if you are uncomfortable at any time, for any reason.
3. Clothes stay on for the whole event.
4. You do not have to touch anyone at a Community Cuddles event, ever.
5. You must ask permission and receive a verbal YES before you touch anyone. Please be specific in your requests.
6. If you’re yes, say YES. If you’re a no, say NO.
7. If you’re a maybe, say NO. You can always change your mind, in fact –
8. You have the superpower to change what you are dong at any time. You are encouraged to use it. AKA you are welcome to change your mind at any time about anything.
9 . Tears, laughter, and all emotions are welcome.
10. Get your facilitator or assistant if you have a question or concern or if you need assistance with anything during the event.
11. Respect people’s privacy when sharing about Community Cuddles.
12. Keep the cuddle space tidy. No one likes to cuddle in a puddle!

WHY CUDDLE

Touch is a basic human need, and many of us do not get enough. In fact, most people don’t even know they are missing touch, or have a way to ask for touch without sexualizing it. As Cuddlists, we provide individual cuddling sessions and help our clients learn how to ask for the touch they need. We believe deeply in the power of touch, and the importance of communication and consent in creating a safe space for touch. Community Cuddles events are a way for us to bring the value of cuddling to more people, share our passion with the community, and help you connect with each other.

Community Cuddles brings together people from different walks of life to explore giving and receiving loving touch together. Not only that, but it promotes a culture that is built around consent! You do not have to do anything that you don’t want to at our Group Cuddle – you’re completely at choice.

CUDDLING WITH STRANGERS

Cuddling with strangers sounds weird to most people, and often scary. “Will I like it?” “What if someone wants to touch me and I don’t want to?” “What if I say yes and it’s not what I want?” “What if I really want to touch someone and they say no?” Are all normal concerns.

My response to all of them begins “This is a space created to ask for exactly what you want, and receive NOTHING you don’t want. You may not get everything you ask for, but more than anywhere else, here you are encouraged to ask for what you want, and say ‘no’ or ‘stop’ to anything that you do not want.”

Many people start out nervous at a cuddle event. Most end relaxed and joyful, really, really glad they came.

If you’d like to hear about future Cuddles and other touch and quality gatherings, join our group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunityCuddles or https://www.meetup.com/Community-Cuddles-Meetup/

Our Group Cuddle is a group cuddling event and we love it – it is NOT a cuddleparty.com official Cuddle Party. Please visit CuddleParty.com to find a list of currently scheduled Cuddle Parties.

Buy your tickets and we’ll see you soon!