We can plan the perfect party at the perfect venue with the perfect activities and the perfect food, but if it’s not what the people you invite want to do, they don’t come. They “vote with their feet” by literally not using them to come do what you thought would be perfect.
So what do you even do about this? You listen. You know your audience. You ask for feedback and you take it.
You only do this if your end goal of community is greater than your personal desire for things to look and feel a certain way.
So instead of getting all bent out of shape and feeling rejected or jilted, pay attention to the crowd you’re asking to participate, know your audience. It might take a couple failed attempts, it might take choking down some humble pie, but in the end if the people in our lives feel heard then their feet will follow.
Deeper Than a Puddle 