Why I want to provide seed money for parties

In the past two weeks I released a post on this blog outlining an idea I had to help make our city a more friendly, innovative place: providing people seed money to host parties that get people talking about something. I made it previously, but I'm making one last push to raise some money to try this idea out:

I'm asking for you to give me $25 so I can give it to someone (probably someone else, that you hopefully don't know) to throw a party. In this post I'll provide you two looks into why. The first is my rationale for why I think this idea will work. The second is a story from my day which might provide some anecdotal or emotional appeal.

Appeal #1 - Why I think this will work

In my last post, I outlined a few constraints I had on these parties I want to help people throw. Here's why I put in these constraints:

• I'd give the host $50 in cash to use however they wanted, the host would be expected to spend $25 of their own (or more if they want) to get to the $75 threshold - By keeping the party small it brings more attention to the people rather than the party. And, hosts have to be invested...thus not giving them enough money to cover the whole cost of the party.

• Hosts would invite guests of their choosing:
• Each guest would be allowed to bring 0-2 friends - This keeps the party manageably sized, and by bringing friends it commits people to come...other people are depending on you to be there. Also, third degree connections (the friend of your friend's friend) is where networks really open up because you're not likely to know that person, but there's probably enough trust between you and that person because you have some ties but not a strong enough tie to make you scared to break things off if it's awkward. Third-degree connections also are where the number of contacts you have exponentially increase.
• At least one of the friends each guest brings can't already know the host - This is to promote new people meeting each other - This helps ensure diversity, but also ensures that the group isn't a bunch of strangers. This is ideal...there's enough trust for people to feel comfortable, but enough diversity to meet new people.
• Guests would be encouraged (but not expected) to bring something to contribute to the party - a dish to pass, decorations, beverages, etc. - Guests have to be invested. But, people also feel good when they exceed expectations...hence the soft request for contributions. Also by contributing, it's implicitly implied that you can participate in what's happening.

• Hosts would pick some small activity to help get a conversation going. - Something like helps convey a purpose for being there. The guests get a signal from the host that their presence matters and that their contribution / thoughts are wanted. A little structure gives people permission to participate and think about what they want to say / share beforehand. It's also not stifling when you have something simple to get conversation going.

• We'd share the experiences online - Open accessibility is good. tumblr's / blogs are easily shareable. Lots of people being able to learn from a few people is cheap and valuable. And, it makes it feel like something was produced.

So, if logic is your thing, this is why I created all these constraints for this concept.

Appeal #2 - Why I think this matters

RP and l went to a poetry reading at a friend's place today. It was a blast. It was pretty informal and there were less than 10 people there. A few people shared poems, a few didn't. Regardless, I heard ideas and learned things that I never have. I'm a better person for going. And, it was fun.

I also met some pretty cool people. I'll probably grab a drink with one of them because we have a common interest.

There's so much learning and so many positive outcomes when people meet each other and share something intimate, whether it's a conversation or a poem, a meal or an idea. Good things happen when people talk to each other and listen to each other. That's what I hope these parties that I'm trying to jumpstart do. My thing is...if we had more diverse groups of friends getting together, I feel like our city would be happier, more innovative, smarter, and more prosperous.

So, give me your money ($25) so I can throw parties...please! If you want to kick in some money, leave me a comment / facebook message / e-mail so I can get a hold of you. I'd like to collect disburse funds over Labor Day weekend.