Ask Me Fair (Living Library Event), with Open Door Theater & Outside the Vox

Join us for the ASK ME FAIR on Saturday, July 19 at the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough (427 Mass Ave). Registration is FREE. Recommended for Ages 7 to 77. This event is presented by Open Door Theater of Acton and Think Outside the Vox, with support from the Mass Cultural Council and the Acton-Boxborough Community Compass (formerly AB United Way). Register at https://forms.gle/X7xcP2ydfFGDsqhV7

Guiding Principles
1. Like books, every individual has an interesting, important story to share and there is value in discussion.
2. Opinions can change.

Format
At the Ask Me Fair, there will be 5 guest presenters of different backgrounds and identities. ASL Interpreters and audio describer provided. The event will start with a brief self-introduction of all the guest presenters. The presenters will then relocate to their own “booths”. Attendees will be assigned into small groups (up to 10 people), and each group will have up to 15 minutes at each booth to converse with the presenter there. During this time, the attendees are invited and encouraged to ask any questions they may have of the presenter's thoughts and experiences related to their personal identity. The purpose of this event is to provide a safe space for intentional and respectful conversations that will promote empathy, acceptance and tolerance while dispelling stereotypes and fear of those who are different. We hope that the unfamiliar can become known and understood through thoughtful questions and answers; and that people of different backgrounds and experiences can educate each other and learn from one another.

Event Ground Rules
Participants and presenters must be respectful asking their questions and in conversations with the presenters.

Participants and presenters must be respectful to each other and other people's questions.

There are no stupid or wrong questions, but the questions must come from a genuine desire to learn.

The presenter may stop the conversation if they feel that they are being treated in an inappropriate or disrespectful manner.

Presenter has the right to decline to answer any question asked by a participant if they deem it inappropriate and/or are uncomfortable answering it.

Participants can select and ask questions/prompts from the “question” jar if desired.

Remember that each individual is different. Each presenter is expressing their own personal viewpoint. No one member of a group can speak for all the other members of a group.

Each group will have 12-15 minutes of conversation time with each presenter.

Participants cannot record, videotape or take pictures of the presenters.

Participants are not allowed to ask the presenters for personal contact information. All requests for further contact should be through the event organizers.