This group was started a couple of years ago. One person had the idea, and invited a half dozen or so neighbors to her house for the first "First Wednesday" meeting/celebration. The rules were -- people took turns having the gatherings at their home. everyone was to bring either a bottle of wine or a substantial plate of food to share. Also - everyone was to bring their own wine glass - so the hostess wouldn't have to provide them and clean up. Everyone could invite any other woman to join -- anyone that they thought would be a pleasant addition to the group.
The group was slow to grow. After a year or so -- about 60 women were on the "email list". All the original members invited people to join. And those people invited others to join.I haven't been to any gatherings where there were more than 30 people. And usually -- about 15 - 20 people are able to come to any given meeting.
One thing that is different is: when you are hosting the gathering, you do NOT feel that the success of the evening depends on you. This is VERY different from hosting a regular party -- where you DO feel that the success of the evening depends on you -- the guest list, the food, the drinks, etc.
In this group, EVERYONE is responsible for the success of the gathering. Each person thinks about the food that they will bring -- and tries to bring something tasty and good. People don't bring expensive wine -- but they try to bring wine that is nice and tastes good.
The "fun" of the evening doesn't depend on the skill of the hostess. Everyone who is there is there because they enjoy getting together to talking and have fun. NOBODY is depending on the hostess-of-the-month to make things fun.
Another benefit ---- sometimes, when you give a party, you don't know when or if you will be invited back to a party! With the First Wednesday Group --- you KNOW that you will be invited back to a party EVERY month! With people you like! And --- you KNOW that you will have fun each month!
For convenience -- we have kept the group to a convenient geographic area. This gives people things in common. And lots of people knew each other before the group began.
The group was slow to grow. After a year or so -- about 60 women were on the "email list". All the original members invited people to join. And those people invited others to join.I haven't been to any gatherings where there were more than 30 people. And usually -- about 15 - 20 people are able to come to any given meeting.
One thing that is different is: when you are hosting the gathering, you do NOT feel that the success of the evening depends on you. This is VERY different from hosting a regular party -- where you DO feel that the success of the evening depends on you -- the guest list, the food, the drinks, etc.
In this group, EVERYONE is responsible for the success of the gathering. Each person thinks about the food that they will bring -- and tries to bring something tasty and good. People don't bring expensive wine -- but they try to bring wine that is nice and tastes good.
The "fun" of the evening doesn't depend on the skill of the hostess. Everyone who is there is there because they enjoy getting together to talking and have fun. NOBODY is depending on the hostess-of-the-month to make things fun.
Another benefit ---- sometimes, when you give a party, you don't know when or if you will be invited back to a party! With the First Wednesday Group --- you KNOW that you will be invited back to a party EVERY month! With people you like! And --- you KNOW that you will have fun each month!
For convenience -- we have kept the group to a convenient geographic area. This gives people things in common. And lots of people knew each other before the group began.