Community
Civic conversation does not start with "let's talk about policy." It starts with shared interests — gaming, cooking, building, creating. When people who trust each other through play start talking about their neighborhood, their schools, their local government, real civic dialogue happens. RIT's community model is built on this premise: relationships first, civic engagement second.
Gamers First
Gaming was the entry point because it is where RIT's founder lived. But the principle is universal — any shared interest that brings people together honestly can become the foundation for civic participation. Games happened to be the first proof of concept because the community was already there, already collaborative, already solving problems together.
How It Works
RIT organizes around interest-based groups that meet, play, and build together. Over time, those groups develop the trust and communication patterns that make civic conversations possible. This is not a pipeline or a curriculum — it is a community that naturally expands its scope as members get comfortable with each other.
Gamesgiving
Gamesgiving was RIT's first community event, held in November 2025. It brought people together around tabletop and video games, tested the community model in practice, and demonstrated that shared recreation can build the kind of trust that civic institutions need but rarely cultivate.
Get Involved
RIT's community is open to anyone willing to show up in good faith. Whether you are a gamer, a maker, a policy enthusiast, or just someone looking for genuine connection in your area — there is a place here. Reach out to learn about local groups or to start one.
Reach Out