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Austin Progressive Potluckers

Hi - Welcome to Austin Progressive Potluckers. We go to other people's potlucks. Come join us - share food - meet fascinating people - network with other thinkers like you. Our motto is "Changing the world... one covered dish at a time"

Potluckers steering team

Austin Progressive Potluckers connects people interested in making a difference with the non-profits and grassroots organizations that are working hard to make a positive difference throughout Austin. Each month, the Austin Progressive Potluckers are hosted by a different organization, providing people a chance to learn more about the group while connecting and networking over great food and great conversation. Our motto is “Changing the world - one covered dish at a time” Scroll down the page to see the upcoming potluck. Click here for more on how potluckers works. Ready to host a potluck? Check out How to host a potluck.


Upcoming Potluck
MonkeyWrench Books

11/15/2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Monkeywrench Books
110 E. North Loop
Austin TX 78751

512-407-6925

MonkeyWrench Books is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, collectively owned and operated radical bookstore in North Austin. In fact, MonkeyWrench Books is more than just a bookstore. It is a library and educational resource. It is a place for meetings, film screenings, talks, benefits and book readings. It is also a relaxed space to network and make connections over a cup of organic coffee or tea. You can check out MonkeyWrench online at http://www.monkeywrenchbooks.org/, (call 512-407-6925 or contact Tyson at 922-9251 if you have questions). The November Potluck will be a unique opportunity to visit the store and hear a short presentation by the folks involved in running MonkeyWrench (not to mention eat great food and visit with all sorts of cool people!).

Instructions:Please bring a dish that serves approximately 6-8 people. YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOUR OWN PLATES, CUPS and UTENSILS! Our host will provide water, coffee and tea to drink (and Blue Sky sodas are available at the store for $1). There are no food or beverage restrictions.

Phone: 512-407-6925

Directions:From the downtown area, take Lamar north. Go to North Loop Blvd and go east. If you hit Ave. F you went too far. This area can be a little confusing so check out their website: http://www.monkeywrenchbooks.org/see-the-store  or try this link for a map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=monkeywrench+books+austin,+tx&ie=UTF8&cd=1&om=1&ll=30.31934,-97.723475&spn=0.00878,0.019312&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A Parking is rather limited at the store itself so another alternative is to park on Avenue F.

http://www.monkeywrenchbooks.org

For map and directions click on http://maps.google.com.

For public transportation, go to http://www.capmetro.org/riding/schedulesandmaps.asp

How does this work?

Austin Progressive Potluckers connects people interested in making a difference with the non-profits and grassroots organizations that are working hard to make a positive difference throughout Austin. Each month, the Austin Progressive Potluckers are hosted by a different organization, providing people a chance to learn more about the group while connecting and networking over great food and great conversation. The recipe for the Potluckers is simple; take a heaping quantity of progressive groups, add a bunch of really cool people that care about our town, mix with good food and great conversation and you end up with a fun and easy way for people to connect with others and with a wide array of important organizations and efforts. At every gathering, we get to know more about these great organizations and the people involved, make new friends over delicious home-made food in a relaxed setting, and help realize the Potlucker motto of “Changing the World -One Covered Dish at a Time”.

Why should you be interested in hosting the Austin Progressive Potluckers? Your group has a progressive view of the world and wants to share the good work you’re doing with others. What better way to do that than to throw a party! If there's one thing that brings people together, it's good food and a good cause. The Austin Progressive Potluckers has been going strong for nearly four years, growing from a few folks to a network of almost 500 people throughout Austin who want to get connected with people and groups who are making a difference. As a host, you’ll get the opportunity to share your vision and passion with others in the community, meet new and fascinating people, network with like-minded souls, make new connections, have stimulating conversations -- all by lifting nary a finger. At each event, typically one to three dozen Potluckers attend who are eager to learn more about your organization and meet people in your network. You simply need to furnish the space for the event, sit back and enjoy. The food shows up; the people show up. And voila! You get to have a fun-filled gathering with little work on your part and the chance to spread the word about what you do to an ever-expanding network of people. What's the catch? Nothing -- other than a sincere desire to connect with others through the potluckers community.

How do I host a potluck?

To set a potluck, there are 10 easy steps:
  1. Contact a member of our steering committee to let us know what month you are considering. (Gerry or Diane - below) We plan up to 6 months in advance and we want to make sure we can eat with YOU!
  2. Look on our wiki (interactive web page) for our future schedule (This is the address http://wikihost.org/wikis/apc/programm/gebo.prg?name=start)
  3. Pick a date (Fri or Sat nights work best, usually mid month is best)
  4. Pick a time (6.30-9pm is usually a good bet)
  5. Pick a location. A house is fine unless you are expecting a really large group to attend. Intimate gatherings are lovely
  6. Give driving directions to your location
  7. Do a quick write up about your organization and include a contact name, phone number and web site if folks want more information.
  8. Tell us about any food or drink restrictions (ie no alcohol, vegetarian food only, etc)
  9. Will you provide paper plates, cups, utensils or should we ask our folks to bring their own?
  10. Will you provide any drinks (access to water or tea?) or do we need to tell folks to bring their own drinks?

Based on this info, we'll create a brief email and send it out to our email list (currently about 500 people) about 3 weeks before the event. We also send out a reminder email about a week before the event. The invite will also be posted on our web site page,www.austinprogressivecalendar.com/potlucks Usually about 2 or 3 dozen Potluckers show up.

At the event, folks usually eat from first (sometimes from 6:30 until around 7:15) then somebody from your group can make a brief (15-20 minute) presentation about your organization. The rest of the evening is spent chatting and socializing and networking with some of the greatest folks in Austin.

Send an email message to Gerry at gamundson @ austin.rr.com or Diane at dianemiller @ austin.rr.com if you want to set up a potluck. The email addresses look a little strange to stop spam. You will need to remove the spaces.

Past potlucks

Node: Titlesort iconDate: Potluck date (field_potluck_date)
MonkeyWrench Books11/15/2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Bread for the Journey10/25/2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Lifelong Friends09/20/2008 6:30pm
Happy Living with Justice08/23/2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Annual Sierra Club Potluck at Zilker Park07/01/2008 6:30pm - 10:00pm
more