Welcome to The Hodge Podge Supper Club
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Mission Statement
The Hodge Podge Supper Club will bring together people from the Twin Ports for conversation and a meal at a local restaurant to promote social bridging.
Robert Putnam has distinguished between "bonding"and "bridging" social capital. "Bonding capital" involves the sorts of connections within a social group, while "bridging capital" involves building relationships across social divides..
Whose idea is this, anyway?
This is a project that came from the "Mix It Up" action team of the Knight Creative Communities Initiative in the Twin Ports. Our charge is to work to promote tolerance, one of the "Four T’s" in Richard Florida’s book The Rise of The Creative Class.
What is it?
The Hodge Podge Supper Club is a first step toward bridging the cultural gaps in our community. Imagine people of different backgrounds, socio-economic class, races, religions and beliefs, all sitting down to share a meal and learn about one another. The goal is to develop our residents' cultural competence and help make the Twin ports a welcoming and inclusive place to live.
What should participants expect?
Do expect...
to meet new people.
to engage in lively conversation.
to open your eyes to new perspectives.
to be enlightened.
to cultivate your curiosity.
Don't expect...
to solve the diversity problems of our community in one dinner.
to be with others who think just like you.
easy answers to cultural understanding.
Who should sign up?
People interested in social bridging by getting outside their comfort zone to discuss cultural gaps in our community.
Why should I sign up?
Because you’re new to town, or you would like to meet some new people, or you’re a business owner wondering how diversity can improve your bottom line, or perhaps you’re simply curious. It’s an opportunity to get outside your comfort zone, enjoy interesting conversation, embrace diversity and have a great meal.
What have we learned so far?
At a series of test dinners for the Hodge Podge Supper Club, we’ve received good input from our test audience. We’ve learned to keep the group small so everyone can participate and hear the conversation. We will keep the dinners to 90 minutes to respect each participant’s time and personal obligations. Most importantly, we’ve learned that there is a real hunger for this type of interaction in the Twin Ports.