To convene means to come together or to call people together for a meeting or gathering. When a principal convenes an assembly, she brings all the students together in one place. When Congress convenes, its members gather in Washington to begin their work.

The word carries a sense of purpose and organization. People don't just randomly bump into each other: someone convenes a group for a specific reason. A teacher might convene a parent-teacher conference to discuss a student's progress. A coach convenes the team for practice. Scientists from around the world might convene at a conference to share their latest discoveries.

You can use convene two ways: with someone doing the calling (The mayor convened a meeting of community leaders) or with the group itself gathering (The jury convened to reach a verdict). Notice that convene suggests something more formal than just “meeting up.” Friends hanging out at the park isn't convening. But when the student council convenes to vote on new rules, or when a family convenes for a serious discussion about summer plans, the word fits perfectly. The gathering has intention behind it.