Help me with the Basic start-up checklist for a...

[lavendarJ]

Raw vegan "potluck" or "gathering" I'd like to start in my area here in southern IL. There is nothing and many people I know who are interested are not willing to travel a few hours to the few raw vegan potlucks I've heard about that are near me.

I plan to utilize my community resources (both public libraries here have great sized conference rooms that are free to rent for library patrons given the date is a available. There is an area with a sink and small counterspace. But I'm also entertaining other ideas like house-hosting, etc.

My plan is have a potluck sort of thing where people bring dishes...

Do any of you host these regularly and if so, can you offer some advice?

Should I start out with a RSVP kind of thing or have a set number of people to invite? (I am thinking of the cost that might be involved for various dishes and trying to make enough to serve let's say 20 people)

I already have themes in mind. If any of you attend these regularly, do they provide information on the raw vegan journey or do they keep it light and just make it about fellowship and sharing good food?

What about speakers and personal testimonials from time to time?

What about ANY info advice you can offer on this?


THANKS FOR TAKING TIME TO READ RAW VEGAN FRIENDS!!!

[drolemil]

My local raw food group is hosted on meetups.com. It's a great way to organize RVSPing, future events, and member information. :D

Our group also does house hosted potlucks, and it works great. I haven't hosted one myself, so I don't know the dynamics of it. Besides potlucks, there are also events such as watching health related films as well as guest speakers. :)

[lavendarJ]

My local raw food group is hosted on meetups.com. It's a great way to organize RVSPing, future events, and member information. :D

Our group also does house hosted potlucks, and it works great. I haven't hosted one myself, so I don't know the dynamics of it. Besides potlucks, there are also events such as watching health related films as well as guest speakers. :)

Thanks so much...I forgot all about meetups.com.

[DebB]

Our meetup started through meetup.com - but then the subscription ran out (6 months for around $75) and we have no money to renew it. So, we can be found on Facebook and we advertised on Craig's List last month under Groups.

I, too am trying to get this off the ground. Last month we had 10 people. I want everyone to join in and not just be me providing the food - and we're getting there!

May's meeting will be, "It's a wrap!". We're planning on lettuce wraps and nori roll ups with everyone pitching in and bringing wrap ingredients. Myself and another couple are going to be sprouting different sprouts for the wraps.

I'll be wathching this thread with interest. I posted something similar a few months back. RawKnitster had a great idea - she suggested that I email the organizers of the meetup groups up around Seattle (I live in WA) and ask them for helpful tips. I emailed about 7 organizers, heard back from 2. Unfortunately not many were very forthcoming - but it's still a great idea!

I just went to meetup.com and typed in area zipcodes around Seattle and picked the groups and sent emails. Keep us posted!

We meet in a community room which has THE perfect setup. Last month's meeting we told everyone to bring their own place settings to May's meeting - that's going to be a big help. *Ü*

[lavendarJ]

Thanks Deb... a great idea about everyone brining their own place settings too. I don't want to end up being in charge of all the costs either.

[somelikeitraw]

Thanks for this thread. I am also interested in starting a raw potluck group in my area. Thanks for the great ideas. One thought, if money is required for something the group needs or wants to do or for a place to meet, why not ask each member to contribute so it doesn't all fall on one person?

[DebB]

Thanks for this thread. I am also interested in starting a raw potluck group in my area. Thanks for the great ideas. One thought, if money is required for something the group needs or wants to do or for a place to meet, why not ask each member to contribute so it doesn't all fall on one person?

That ofcourse would be ideal ~ but many are hesitant to contribute $$, even a dollar or two.

I would really like to raise the $75 to get back on Meetup.com. That's how I originally found our raw foods group 18 months ago. But we've got some that just don't seem to want to pitch in. Yet. Maybe it will change as we continue on. This group has only been meeting 3 months now.

I'm hoping that it will get all equal (the Libra in me!) where food prep and demoes will not fall on one willing person. I think we'll get there! I'm learning though I can't just sit back and be passive - I have to let folks know what's needed. *Ü*