NICOLE WEILER [she/her/hers]

 

 

A reimagining of the Jeffersonian Dinner, what can one person’s story//lesson//demonstration stir in you? What do you know that you can talk about, without much prompting, for 20-45 minutes to an audience of curious community members?

 

Make a dish (or not), make a friend (or not), cultivate community AND your knowledge base**.

 

A haphazard dinner party turned living room presentation.

 

How to efficiently plan and plant a garden. A crash course in python to make a simple robot. Community resources available to us as alternatives to calling 911 in nonemergent situations. How to ask for a raise. Conversational Gaelic. Kettlebell routines you can do in a cramped studio apartment.

 

Bring your whole self into the room. Bring vulnerability, curiosity, and questions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IT IS

A bunch of strangers gathered around a meal, listening to another stranger talk about something that excites them, and then creating community around the closing focused conversation.

 

It's like a potluck with a point. We want to break down the walls that Minnesotans sometimes build that make creating new connections difficult. We want to combat the social isolation of the winter months. We want to learn, and we want to learn from you.

 

 

HOW IT WORKS

15-20 people are invited over for dinner at the home of a host. 1 of them is going to make a presentation that night. No one really knows who, or what the topic is until it's time to gather. We listen thoughtfully and then discuss critically; finding commonalities and connections rooted in our topic.

 

PhD wants to encourage vulnerability, curiosity, and reflective//critical thought, in addition to shaking up the MNice. In order to facilitate a space where this is possible, it is important that the group remain fairly small, engaged, and with very few -- if any -- existing deep connections among attendees.

In order to create the conditions for a safer space that encourages the values of PhD, we only extend this invite to roughly 15-20 individuals. The guest list is hidden* to get you in the mindset to interact with strangers.

 

Watch for a ticket to this weird night with strangers, or you'll have to wait until next round.

 

Your host will provide the fundamentals for a meal that is vegetarian and gluten-free. If you have additional dietary needs, please let the host know and we will make sure that the full meal accommodates you. As a guest of the PhD, please feel free to bring something to share without obligation. Even if no one contributes to the potluck, you will still be fed. 

 

There will be beer and wine, which you are also welcome to bring. If you are sober, in recovery, and/or otherwise triggered by being in a space where people are drinking alcohol, please let your host know. We will be hosting alcohol-free PhDs at least twice per year.

 

*If you secure a ticket and you have concerns about someone in the wider community attending the same night as you, please let your host know and we will make sure this does not happen. It is very important to PhD that you feel safe.

 

 

CREATING A SAFER SPACE

+We will be reminded to be aware of any privileges we hold.

+We will not make assumptions.

+We will be engaged and honor the presentation information, regardless of initial interest.

+We will be called in if something problematic occurs, and we will leave knowing why it was problematic, how to apologize respectfully, and what to do differently next time.

+All identities are welcome (exception, see below)

+Racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other pillars of oppression are specifically not welcome.

 

There will be beer and wine, which you are also welcome to bring. If you are sober, in recovery, or otherwise triggered by being in a space where people are drinking alcohol, please let your host know. We will be hosting alcohol-free PhDs at least twice per year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*If you secure a ticket and you have concerns about someone in the wider community attending the same night as you, please let me know and I will make sure this does not happen and that you feel safe.

 

 

**Presenting and regular attendance may result in Associate, Bachelor, or Masters degrees with fanciful  font on real cardstock, in case you need motivation you smartypants you.