Community Talking Stick is a grassroots community initiative run independently by local residents, now operating in the Redlands region, a bayside area of the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Community Talking Stick is to provide a place for members of the Redlands community to regularly come together in person to discuss issues, share information and improve their communication skills in a friendly, facilitated “Talking Stick” process where there is no one controlling the agenda and we ensure everyone gets an opportunity to express themselves.  Our unique format welcomes and encourages both freedom of speech and respectful communication.

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We aim to provide a safe place where all views from all sides of any subject can be aired, and challenged, in a respectful and civilized manner. So whatever your view or opinion, it's welcomed here.
 

WHO CAN ATTEND AND WHAT DOES IT COST?
Meetings are open to the public (any children must be under adult supervision). Entry is free but where the venue is a community hall, a small donation toward the cost of hall hire is welcomed. Entry & attendance is subject to conditions including acceptance of Meeting Rules designed to keep discussion respectful.
 

MEETINGS SCHEDULE:
Community Talking Stick is a weekly community meeting on Friday nights, but each week it is held in a different part of the Redlands (repeating at each venue once per month). The meeting schedules in each area are as follows:
 

1st Friday     Coochiemudlo Island Community Hall
2nd Friday   Capalaba - Koala Tavern Bistro Area
3rd Friday    Macleay Island - Pub Paradise Bistro Area
4th Friday    Victoria Point - Sharks Sports Club Bistro Area
 

The meetings are held from 7pm to 8pm on the scheduled Friday nights, with a further extension possible to 9pm, subject to hall availability and amount of donations received on the night.

Optional socializing opportunities before and after the meeting are also usually offered to make this a fun, informative and relaxing Friday night out for everyone.
 

MEETING RULES:
A full list of rules is provided and must be agreed to upon entry. The following is a simplified version:
1. A talking stick is passed in a clockwise direction and each attendee has the opportunity to speak when it is passed to them.
2. Each attendee has 3 uninterrupted minutes speaking time per round, for as many rounds as time allows for.
3. Any subject is allowed and attendees, during their time, can introduce their own topics, respond to others' topics, ask questions, or choose to not speak and simply listen instead.
4. We encourage respectful communications by deducting points for any ad hominem (personal) attacks, interruptions or exceeding time limits. Attendees losing their points allocation will forfeit their right to speak any further.

WHAT TO BRING:

A notepad and pen will be very helpful.
An open mind and a sense of humour are essential.
A small donation is very appreciated.
 

VENUE ADDRESSES:
Coochiemudlo Island Community Hall
346 Victoria Parade South, Coochiemudlo Island
 

Capalaba / Alexandria Hills - Koala Tavern 
36-40 Moreton Bay Rd, Capalaba

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Macleay Island - Pub Paradise
23 Russell Terrace, Macleay Island
 

Victoria Point - Sharks Sports Club
325 Colburn Ave, Victoria Point
 

OFFLINE GROUP
This is an offline group, meaning no discussion of subjects takes place online. Therefore we do not maintain any online forum or social media discussion groups. So you don't need to spend your time trying to keep up with any online discussions! Instead, if you have any topics or issues you wish to discuss, simply bring them along to the next meeting and have your say :-)