Unchatter: A (free!) Connection Experience

Want to attend an Unchatter experience for free? Come along and equip yourself with some cool conversational tools to make you the most interesting person at every holiday gathering - while contributing to meaningful science! 

We invite you to take part in a special Unchatter event in collaboration with a research study at the University of Canterbury. While all of our Unchatter events have a goal of creating space to cultivate deeper connections, this event will have an added emphasis on empathy and compassion and will further some seriously cool research. (We'll tell you all about it on the night!)

What's the catch? 

Just like every Unchatter event, we'll be sharing some practical tools that you can use in everyday life to connect meaningfully with people around you. We'll also get into some practices that will help you cultivate a deeper sense of compassion and kindness. 

As part of the study, we'll ask for a few commitments from you:

• Fill out a brief questionnaire when you arrive at the event. 
• Utilise your newfound connection + compassion skills at least once/day for 4 weeks following the event. (The holiday break should give you lots of opportunities for practice! And don't worry about perfection - giving it your best effort is all we ask.)
• Complete a follow-up questionnaire once/week for 4 weeks to share how it's going. This will be sent via email.
• At the end of the 4-week period, attend a debriefing session where you'll get a chance to talk about your experiences with the researchers and other participants. (This is optional but highly encouraged.)  

All information collected during the study including personal information (e.g., name, age, gender, etc.) and responses to questionnaires will be confidential and any data collected will be anonymized to protect participants’ identities.

Still keen after reading through all the red tape? We hope so! Please confirm your attendance by snagging a ticket on Humanitix. (Again, this is a free event, but ticketing allows us to keep track of attendance and contact details.) If you have any questions before committing to attend, feel free to reach out to Natasha at natasha@unchatter.com or Eddie at eddie.park@pg.canterbury.ac.nz.
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Whether you want to hear the latest research on belonging and compassion, or you're just keen on some meaningful conversations with strangers - this is your jam. Whatever your motivation, come and join us for some soul-hugging, heart-growing, mind-blowing connection. We promise you'll leave with a grin.

About This Event

This is not your average party! You'll be entering a space where small talk is banned and deep questions give you street cred. We bring the questions and the food, you bring the open mind and curious heart.

Don't worry, you won't have to jump into the deep end straight away. We'll lay out a few party principles for the evening and ease you into the conversation with some cool connection games.

Need a break from the buzz? There's a quiet zone when you want some down time, and we'll have ultra-compassionate Connectors keeping an eye out for anyone who needs a conversation buddy. You'll get exactly what you need every step of the way.

This is a thoughtfully curated experience for introverts and extroverts alike. If you're a human and want to feel like you matter, this is the place for you.


FAQ

· Is there parking?
Yes, there will be heaps of available parking on campus near the library building where the event is being held. 

· How do I find it?
Make your way to the UC library (Puaka James Hight building) and go to room 101 on the main level. We'll have signage posted as well as some volunteers posted at the doors to keep an eye out for you!

· What should I bring?
Curiosity, kindness, and an open heart.

· Do I need to print my ticket?
Just bring the email verification you received with the QR code. (Not to worry, we can still check you in manually if you forget!)

· What if I'm an introvert who hates parties?
No sweat! We've tailored every part of the evening to make you feel like you belong, whether you love all-night ragers or quiet corners. We'll be keeping a special eye out for folks who might be feeling awkward. The whole point of this event is meaningful connection, and we'll make sure you get it!

· What if I'm an extrovert who's a pro at this connection stuff?
Fabulous! The real magic happens when we've got a beautiful blend of personalities and connection styles. 

· Do I need to register or do you accept walk-ins on the day of the event?
Please register in advance, as we don't take walk-ins or sales at the door. We want you to have an experience that feels rich and meaningful, so we limit the number of attendees to make it an intimate gathering. This also allows us to reduce the time spent on check-in and jump right into the juicy stuff!

· When should I arrive?
Doors open at 6:00. Please arrive in plenty of time to grab a beverage, get settled, and be ready to kick things off by 6:30. It's important to attend at the beginning when we set the stage for the evening.

Kind Words

“I just want to say that I have NEVER attended an event that was that inspiring!”

"Thank you for an incredible evening! Loved everything about it and feeling so grateful to be part of the magic."

"I absolutely LOVED Unchatter! I've been telling people about it since the event. It was a very unique event and completely achieved the goal of being able to connect at a deeper level."

"I loved the scientific explanation of the exercises and what happened in the body with what we were doing. I could feel a lot of love and preparation and dedication behind the experience. The setting, the areas, and the delicious snacks made me feel comfortable and well looked after."

"Amazing evening! Still feeling so connected."

Please reach out with any questions that may not have been answered here and like us on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest events at https://www.facebook.com/unchatter.

Can't wait to connect with you!