MorePeace.org - Peace Potluck

Peace Potluck - Hosting Suggestions

On February 20, 2003, we held our first “Peace Potluck” in our home. It was a big success and we mailed out over 110 letters/postcards to congressmen, editors, UN Security Council members and presidential candidates!  We encourage others to host their own Peace Potluck. 

Whom to Invite?

Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, people you meet on the subway - anyone!  Invite people you do not know very well even if you are uncertain of their position on a war in Iraq. At the least it will stimulate discussion; at best, you may have another person at the gathering to write letters.  

We even sent invitations to friends who are thousands of miles away and we knew couldn't come. Why? To let them know what we're doing, and to encourage them to host their own Peace Potluck.

Advance Preparation

Invitations:

• Email - Here is our sample invitation
• Phone
• Print flyers to hand out

Look up your local:

• State representatives (See www.congress.org or www.congress.com )
• Area newspapers for "Letters to the Editor"
• Other peace organizations (See www.peace-action.org)
  

Supplies to Have On Hand

• Scratch paper, paper, pens, envelopes, stamps (we paid for these ourselves, but if you wish you could put out a can for donations). 
• (Optional) Computer and printer, so that people with laptops can print their letters.
• Blank name tags for your guests!
• Handouts:
  • Suggested “talking points” -- use ours or make your own
  • Names and addresses of potential letter recipients (representatives, newspaper editors, UN security council, etc.)
  • (Optional) Preprinted mailing labels to potential recipients
  • Other peace resources
• A main course and beverages
• Eating utensils, plates, cups (we used what we had, and supplemented with plastic that could be put in the dishwasher or recycled.)

Schedule of the Evening

6:30pm Potluck & Socialize
7:00pm Welcome & Goals for the Evening
7:15pm Letter writing (& Socialize!)
9:30pm Cleanup & Say goodnight

Welcome & Goals for the Evening

1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Set goals:
   a. Have fun
   b. Write as many letters as possible.
   c. Optional: Have one or more guest(s) volunteer to host their own Peace Potluck.
3. Share suggested Talking Points, and discuss ideas
4. Share resources (other peace organizations, Web sites, etc.)
5. Discuss potential recipients for letters (Government representatives, newspapers, magazines, organizations that you want to encourage, organizations that you want to discourage)
6. Announce any upcoming peace events (including your next Peace Pot Luck!)
7. (Optional, but fun) Tell people to ring a virtual bell (yell "Ding!") each time they finish a letter.
8. GET STARTED, and HAVE FUN!

Do you have other suggestions?