This was a gathering of people in a community to accomplish something (e.g., a quilting bee) or to hold a competition (e.g., a spelling bee). The tasks they chose for bees were typically too big or complex for one person or family to do alone. But the appeal of a bee was more than simply utilitarian. They were social events that allowed conversation during the work and often included food and entertainment afterward.

The basic plan for Phase Two is to form working groups – bees – to address particular tasks or subject areas. Although it is always best if work can be done face-to-face, we are fortunate that in the 21^st Century we can build communities of people whose interaction, meetings and work are largely virtual. Each group will work on defined parts of the overall project. Some of those parts have been identified already; others will no doubt be pointed out by visitors or discovered by working groups.

To learn more about how working groups will function, visit Groups.