What is Soup Stone?
Soup Stone is a group of smart, creative people who have good ideas, and want to help each other realize them. We meet for "Stone Soup Suppers" where we each bring veggies and other ingredients for a soup, and while it's cooking, we talk about our ideas for art projects, side projects, new businesses or non-profits, publications, or what ever we need/want to accomplish with the help of a supportive group of talented people.
How did this start?
Soup Stone was founded by >Mary Fuller, a non-profit communications and development professional living in Oakland. Mary saw the need for a space for like-minded folks to meet, share, collaborate, and eat!
Soup Stone was founded on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009 and is inspired by Barack Obama's call for Americans to take responsibility and also to use their time, talents and innovation to help the country get back on its feet.
What kinds of projects get presented at a Stone Soup Supper?
It's an open table and all ideas are welcome. That being said, we founded the group to support progressive ideas and encourage innovative artistic practice, civic engagement, meaningful work, and progressive change. At each Supper, we feature a project.
Here's the kind of thing we imagine happening at this event:
1. A former account executive gets laid off from his corporate gig and wants to change careers. He comes to the group with an idea for a social enterprise that mixes traditional money-making strategies with a socially-conscious business model. At a Soup Stone Supper he meets someone who introduces him to people who are doing similar projects in another city and a graphic designer who helps him put together his first brochure.
2. A Public artist presents an idea she's been casually batting around for a few months but hasn't told anyone about yet. At a Stone Soup Supper, she meets someone who can help her get fiscal sponsorship and apply for grants.
3. A bunch of consultants and freelancers get together over some Stone Soup and found a cooperative work space where they can cut their costs by sharing space and resources.
4. A new Executive Director comes to a Soup Stone event to present a her Non-Profit, and leaves with 3 new donors, 5 new members, and a lead on a venue she can use for her next programming event.
That's the sort of thing we'd like to see happen.
>Click here to see the projects that have been featured
>Click here to present your project
Who Should Join?
Artists and Writers, Thinkers and Doers, Marketers and Mavens, Connectors and Consultants. Anyone looking to build their network and have time and energy to put towards projects that will make a difference in peoples' lives.
Can I host a Soup Stone Event at my house?
Yes! We're happy to have participants host events at other venues. We can help organize the event, and can also bring some kitchen supplies or help find guest speakers, if neccessary.
> Click here to host an event
How Else Can I Get Involved?
> Join our Mailing List to get an invitation to the next event
> View past Featured Projects and see if you can help them
> Host an event
> Present your project at a Soup Stone Supper
Get Involved
> Join our Mailing List to get an invitation to the next event
> View past Featured Projects and see if you can help them
> Host an event
> Present your project at a Soup Stone Supper
> Tell us what you need with a note in the Suggestion Box
