''This was a session at the [[Shiny Green Acorn Festival]].''
== Participants ==
* [[Shelley]] (convener)
* [[Brandon]]
* [[Eric]]
* [[Ben]]
* [[Ted]]
== Discussion ==
Shelley proposed a possible new practice for the Sanders, [[Soup Night]], based on one that some friends of theirs have done: a regular gathering of neighbors to eat soup.
* Simple for participants (just bring a bowl)
* Flexible (grab and go, or stay and chat)
Experiences with similar things
* Eric has heard of similar practices in intentional communities
** His UU group tried emulating the idea in the book ''Stone Soup''
* Ben goes to events that have food
* Shelley has been to something like this after races
* Ted: In Chicago, we brought in biking friends for meals, but no one who lived in our neighborhood
** Daybreak had problems with neighbors ... so does Tryon
** We love our current neighbors and have been in one of their houses once in three years
*** Shelley: In Buckman, our neighbors came to our [[Solstice2009|first Solstice celebration]], and they all came to our moving open house (but not much in between)
What would we want out of this?
* The purpose is to connect to people in the neighborhood
** Brandon: I don't want it to be intentional practice for creating a [[Seed Village]]
** Eric: Let that be an unexpected fruit, like with the meditation calls
* Make it simple and sustainable
** Neighborhood is part of "simple"
** Every Tuesday night would be "simple"
** Brandon: Don't try to bridge groups (with the friends who already do this?) ... too hard
Shelley's concerns
* What will the neighbors expect of us? Cleanliness? Our attendance at their things that we're not into?
* How deeply do I want to connect with my new neighbors?
"Should" vs. what our elephants want
* Eric: I could host a pool and barbeque party? I don't know if I should do it ... but I know my neighbors with dogs!
** The Sanders could also easily approach people about Soup Night when they're walking their dogs
* Shelley: Excited about doing something with OES
* Eric: Look for a chance to attend someone else's Soup Night
** Shelley: My coworker's neighbor wrote a book called ''Soup Night'', and Carol and Vicki have neighborhood dinners
* Ted: If you want it, but don't want to do it yourself, but no one else in your community does it...