February 2022 was Synod Consultation month in Sandhurst.  The Diocese adopted the Coffee Conversations model of consultation, and used a modified tri-fold doucment provided by the National Centre for Pastoral Reserach, as a user-friendly model for consutaltions in parishes, schools and catholic community groups. 

"Synodality Starts with Coffee"
The Coffee Conversations method of consultation evolved from a quotation by Sr Nathalie Becquart, Under Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, who said in a podcast "Synodality starts with Coffee."  This fueled ideas for for relatable no-fuss methods of consultation at the local level and opened the possibility of anyone holding a consultation with a few people in their living room, or for Mass goers to consult with disaffiliated Catholics for example. Across the global church, various forms of Coffee Conversations consultation plans were developed. 

Online information sessions
In December 2021, two online information sessions were held to explain the Coffee Conversations process and to encourage clergy, pastoral associates and intereseted people to promote Coffee Convesrations as an accessible means for people to 'have their say'

Promotion of Coffee Conversations 
An article titled 'Time for a Chat' was published in Sandpiper e-News and on the Sandhurst website, and promoted on social media. This article included an explanation of the Synod on Synodality,  synodality and provided a link to download the Coffee Conversations trifold document. 

Timeline
27 February 2022 -   Synod submissions portal closed
15-31 March 2022 -  Sandhurst diocesan data presented by NCPR
25/26 March 2022  - Proposed date(s) for diocesan Assembly (“Pre-Synodal Meeting”)
1 May 2022 -            Sandhurst diocesan report submitted to NCPR