To reserve event resources, click here.
If you are considering hosting an event, we will be able to answer all of your questions and help you decide for sure if you want to do this.
We can also provide supplies for your private event, at no cost.
We can help you schedule an event for any size group, from five people and up.
Does the event you host need to be a potluck dinner? No. That is the type of event neighbors host most often. But we can help you host other types of events, or simply help publicize your event and invite the neighbors who have signed up to receive invites. Other type of events include putluck lunches, potluck breakfasts, non-potluck dinner parties, "eat out" events (at restaurants), birthday parties, watch parties, book club, etc.
The main thing that the host provides is the location. Typically hosts also decide on a theme (if any) and make decisions about what type of food to bring.
Hosts do not need to do anything for the guest list. Hosts are of course welcome to invite people they know. But we already have a list of people on your block and in your neighborhood who have signed up to attend these events. This could be a neighborhood-specific event, or general event open to anybody on the list. We can handle everything with regards to invitations, RSVPs, guest lists, etc.
We can provide chairs, tables, tablecloths, ladders, eating utensils, cooking utensils, serving utensils, silverware, plates, bowls, glasses, electric balloon inflators, etc.
An 8-foot rectangle table can seat 10 people. A 6-foot rectangle table can comfortably seat 8 people. A 5-foot rectangle table can seat 8 people. A 5-foot round table can comfortably seat 8 people, and a maximum of 9 people fit a bit more tightly. A 5 foot, 9 inch round table can seat 10 people.
Note that we have enough cloth tablecloths to cover all rectangle and round tables. The round tablecloths are 107 in. or 108 in. in diameter, providing significant drop (about a foot above the floor) on our 5 ft. round tables.
We use the commercial coffee urn to heat up water for hot chocolate and herbal tea.
We look forward to hearing from you, and getting your event on the calendar.
-Preston Hunter, list coordinator
To contact us, click here.
[Click on the images below to see full-resolution images:]
Q. What does it cost?
A. These are free to use for anybody hosting neighborhood events. These are also free for anybody who belongs to the neighborhood potluck group or the local Buy Nothing group or the Tempe Stake, to use for any purpose.
Q. Can I borrow supplies without organizing an event through the neighborhood group?
A. Yes.
Q. Is this only for the Shalimar neighborhood?
A. No. Many of the neighbors in the group live in the Shalimar neighborhood. But most neighbors in the group live OUTSIDE of the Shalimar neighborhood. These resources are for people throughout Tempe as well as neighboring neighborhoods adjoining Tempe.
Q. What is the minimum size of an event I may schedule/organize through the group?
A. 5 people
Q. What is the maximum size of an event I can schedule/organize through the group?
A. There is no maximum. You can schedule "unlimited seating" events.
Q. Who can host?
A. Most events are hosted by individual neighbors. But pretty much anybody in the community can host events, and many other types of groups have hosted events: church, synagogue, mosque, political party, business, fraternal organization, non-profit, government department/agency, club, etc.
Q. I am interested in hosting an event, but I am unsure about how to go about doing it.
A. You really don't need to know anything. We can walk you through the steps. But really, hosting a neighborhood event is far simple than you might think. If you have nothing more than a place to invite some people to and a desire to do so, you can do this with minimal effort. You don't even need to know any people to invite. The neighborhood group already has the list of neighbors who want to be invited to these events. And of course you can invite people who are not on that list, whether it is individuals or an entire group you belong to.
Q. Are you able to provide the location/venue?
A. Most hosts provide the location for the event. But we can typically provide a location/venue if necessary.