Intro to Impact Book Club & Book Discussion: Money A Story of Humanity

This first “Kickstarter Meeting” is a gentle launch, not an exam. Whether you have fully read the introduction and first chapter (about 22 pages) or just dipped in, you are welcome.

Using McWilliams’ vivid, 5,000-year journey from clay tablets to crypto as a backdrop, we will begin to connect the book’s big ideas to our own stories—how money has enabled security, ambition, creativity, and sometimes anxiety in our lives.

Members can expect:

• A warm, informal space to meet others who are curious about how money really works in human history.
• Simple, creative ice-breakers that help everyone participate and have fun with this very important story—even if you haven’t finished the reading.
• A shared sense of starting a journey together, rather than attending a lecture.

## Rough and Simple Agenda

• Welcome & Purpose (5–10 min)
• the group’s aim: to use the book as a lens to explore how money shapes people, communities, and history, not just markets and banks.​
• Quick overview of how the series of meetings will unfold.
• Member Introductions (15–20 min)
• Brief recap of the introduction and first chapter (15–20 min)
• no pressure for those who haven’t read everything as we indulge our curiosity and explore where we think this book will take us to meet up with life and money in the modern day
• Creative Ice‑Breakers (20–25 min)
• Short, fun prompts to help synthesize the story of money so far, and perhaps discover the connotations around money as tied to it's history.
• Wrap‑Up & Next Steps (5–10 min)
• Confirm next meeting date and suggested reading.
• Invite members to bring a question, discussion focus, quote, or story to the next session.