Please let us know how many members are in your Pod.

A Pod member can be defined as anyone who has recently attended a Pod event (in person or virtually), joined a social media group/page for a Pod, visited a Pod's webpage, or subscribed to a Pod’s email list.

It is up to the Pod leader’s discretion to determine when someone should no longer be considered a member.

Please update your Pod growth here.

We are so pleased you have decided to become a Pod Leader by starting a new Pod or by connecting your existing group with the PlantPure Communities (PPC) Pod Network!

We want to make sure that your involvement with the PPC Pod Network matches your expectations and that we are a good fit with what you would like to accomplish in your community.

Please review the list of “Responsibilities” that indicate what Pod leaders usually do as part of the Pod Network and please review the “Rules of Conduct.”

Pod Leader Responsibilities

A. Organize regular meetings of the Pod. Pods that meet once a month are most successful in keeping members engaged.

B. Adhere to the Culinary Philosophy of the PPC Pod Network.

C. Be transparent and always disclose business interests with your Pod members, especially those that might be viewed as a conflict (see Rules of Conduct below).

D. Stay connected to PPC via the Pod leader mailing list. You will receive a Pod Engagement Suggestions newsletter and occasional additional messages.

E. Every 3 months, share updates about your Pod’s activities by corresponding with your Pod Support Team member, using the “Submit your Pod’s News” form, and reporting the number of your members via the Pod Growth Report Form.

F. Encourage your members to sign up for the PPC mailing list to get updates from you and from PPC.

G. If not yet in-hand during set-up, within the first month or two, send contact information to your Pod Support Team member for 1- 3 people who are willing to share some leadership responsibilities for the Pod, who could eventually become co-Pod leader(s).

H. Notify your Pod Support Team member if you start to feel overwhelmed or lose interest in leading the Pod in order to facilitate new leadership.

Rules of Conduct :

Pod leaders are expected to follow these “rules of conduct” that will protect the integrity of the whole food, plant-based movement, the Pod, and PlantPure Communities (PPC). The following list offers some guidance for appropriate Pod Leader behavior:

• Act in all matters in a manner that will safeguard the reputation and integrity of the whole food, plant-based movement and PPC.

• It is not against PPC’s policy for Pod leaders to have a personal business, but if you have such interests, you should be transparent and clarify for members that these private interests are separate from the mission and function of the Pod.

• Act in a responsible and respectful manner in line with a leadership position. Good judgment must be shown while acting as a Pod leader, which may include refraining from smoking or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Represent your personal political opinions as an individual and not as representative of PPC or the Pod, unless PPC has an advocacy project for which you have signed up. PPC does not support any particular political party. The following list offers some examples of inappropriate conduct that could cause a Pod leader to lose his or her leadership status:

1. Acting in any manner that is not respectful or that could bring ill-repute to PPC, the Pod, or the whole food, plant based movement.

2. A violation of PPC’s Rules of Conduct or culinary philosophy.

3. A violation of federal, state, or local safety and health rules, guidelines, or laws.

4. A disclosure of confidential information of any member of the Pod or PPC, or disclosure of health information of any participant in PPC programs without explicit, written authorization.

5. Using Pod members’ contact information to send messages which market goods or services which you provide without their permission to do so.

6. An inappropriate act or comment made based on an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.

7. A violation of the policy that prohibits the use of any title or emblem of PPC, identification of yourself as an employee of PPC, or expression of an opinion on PPC’s behalf that is outside of the scope of activities set forth in PPC Pod Leader materials, unless you are specifically authorized by PPC as a representative in a particular matter.

This guidance was also provided as part of your Pod leader application process.

For more FAQs, .

How do Pod leaders grow and maintain community member participation for their Pod? Visit our for tips on establishing membership, finding speakers for Pod meetings, getting your Pod involved in the community, running a successful meeting, and maintaining enthusiasm.

What qualifies someone as a Pod member? In short, a member is an individual who expresses interest in joining your Pod via social media, an email list, or has attended your events (in person or virtually). A person does not have to be whole food, plant-based in order to be considered a Pod member, only interested in improving their health and working towards a greater understanding of the benefits of the WFPB lifestyle.

How many hours a month does a typical Pod leader dedicate to his or her Pod? On average, Pod leaders dedicate at least five hours a month, and are encouraged to organize regular monthly meetings of the Pod. Pods that meet once a month are most successful at keeping members engaged.

Are there any expenses associated with a Pod and who’s responsible for them? Depending on how you choose to run your Pod, there may be expenses associated with printing flyers and handouts, cooking demos, driving, and so on. You will either need to cover these costs out of pocket or you can ask for donations from members.

What does it mean to adhere to the Culinary Philosophy? PlantPure Communities advocates a whole food, plant-based diet, without animal products, which consists of: vegetables, including leafy greens, fruits, whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts and seeds. The PPC Pod Network offers support for those practicing a whole food, plant-based lifestyle and we ask that Pod leaders educate about and advocate for this lifestyle.

Is it okay for a dish to have oil in it at PPC Pod events? The focus of the PlantPure Communities Culinary Philosophy is on eating meals made from whole, plant-based foods without added oils and using minimal salt and sugar. However, many Pods allow for flexibility in added oil at potlucks, as it is often challenging for people who are transitioning to a whole food, plant-based diet to change everything at once.

At the beginning of this process many people rely on what we would call "transitional foods" - items that are highly processed (such as oil-based vegan cheeses, or store-bought veggie burgers which contain oil). Also, for some it is not a major health concern to have a small amount of oil in a dish. Having said this, we want to emphasize that the goal should be to eliminate oil from your diet. If you keep your mind open to cooking without oil, you will likely find you don’t miss it!

If you'd like potlucks to be oil free or not, it's helpful for Pod Leaders to ask their members to bring plant-based dishes with all of the ingredients listed. Then if someone wants to avoid oil (or gluten, nuts, sugar, etc.), they can make that decision after reviewing the ingredients. While it is all right for Pods to choose to take a "no oil" stance, it's important for them to make that clear in their marketing/description, and we highly recommend being lenient if someone brings a dish that doesn't fit their criteria.

What if someone brings a dish to my Pod's event which contains animal products? This is a circumstance where we think that's it's okay to prohibit the inclusion of a dish which is not plant-based. It is against the PPC culinary philosophy to include meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and/or seafood.

Can alcohol be served at Pod events? Yes, it is permissible for PPC, a Pod, or another group to sponsor events where alcohol is served.

Develop An Identity

• A fun or catchy Pod name can entice people’s interest.

• Build a purpose people can get behind. Consider what motivated or inspired YOU to embrace a WFPB lifestyle.

• Are there particular aspects of the lifestyle that you'd like the Pod to focus on?

• Hold regular meetings - e.g., monthly or quarterly - so people become familiar with your Pod.

• Design flyers (printed and digital) and other Pod materials that are consistent in format, colorful, and unique for easy recognition. Make use of PPC’s growing resources to create these kinds of materials.

Use Your Resources

• Recruit friends and family to participate in the Pod and spread the word--ask them to share flyers and bring others they know who may be interested in meetings.

• Post about your Pod on social media, or email your personal contact list. Consider creating a Facebook group for members to join.

• Join local online plant-based Facebook and Meetup groups that might be interested in your Pod's projects and events.

• Contact your local newspaper and ask if they will run a small ad or feature.

• Send your Pod information to local radio and TV stations for publicity.

• Submit upcoming events to community calendars and newsletters.

• Request organizations and businesses with shared values to help promote your Pod. Consider asking animal shelters, garden clubs, gyms, fitness groups, churches, hospitals, nonprofits, farmers markets, school boards, and city councils.

• Post flyers on community, church, school and workplace bulletin boards. You can print flyers at home or at the library or at office supply stores. For online designs, try PicMonkey or Canva, which are both free to use.

• Hand out flyers and cards around town, especially in highly trafficked areas like grocery stores, restaurants, bookstores, gyms, small businesses, and coffee shops.

• The PPC Pod Support Team can send an email to PlantPure Communities supporters in your area to let them know about your upcoming event. Simply email your Pod Support Team member, and they will send out the announcement.

• Set up a table at large events in the community (veg fests, concerts, famous speakers, back to school events).

Create A Buzz

• Build excitement by designing fun activities like potlucks, cooking classes, vegetable farm or animal sanctuary field trips, or movie screenings.

• Featuring a well-known figure (local or otherwise) can encourage people to attend.

• Work with local plant-based restaurants for name recognition and mutual advertising.

• Engage your community by supporting a local organization or raising money for a cause.

• Participate in local events like veg fests, seed exchanges, farmers' markets and health fairs where you promote your Pod while meeting potential members. Be enthusiastic and welcoming, and believe in what you’re doing!

The PPC Pod Leader badge is intended for Pod Leaders to use on their websites and flyers to show their Pod’s connection to the PPC Pod Network.

If you’d like to use the badge, please complete the form and then email podsupport@plantpurecommunities.org to let us know you’ve submitted the form.

By using the badge, you certify that your Pod is a member organization of the PlantPure Communities Pod Network, and that your Pod has read and adopted the .

This badge is restricted to Pod-related use only.

Welcome to Basecamp!

Much like a space to congregate, take account, and organize before a journey, the PPC Pod Support Basecamp is your first stop on your Earth, Water, or Fire Pod Track adventure.

Here you will find resources to help you get started and tips for leading a Pod, as well as helpful marketing materials.

Whether your Pod is brand new, or you are looking for extra support or new ideas to spark your Pod’s activities, you will find a plethora of great ideas in Basecamp.

Have fun on your journey!

A focus on making a difference in the community can unite members around the endeavor and attract new people to the movement.

• Select a local restaurant with plant-based options. Call in advance and ask for a WFPB meal for your group. Eat out at that restaurant, which might encourage them to offer healthier plant-based meals. Choose that same or another restaurant and repeat.

• Participate in our Restaurant Campaign to increase the number of plant-based, oil free food options available in your town. Consider creating a committee that is responsible for reaching out to restaurants.

• Start a gardening project as a group at a local community garden.

• Volunteer at a local vegan animal sanctuary.

• Open a whole food, plant-based food bank for low-income people who want to eat a plant-based diet.

• Show various at senior centers and then have a discussion group (see if a dietitian supporting plant-based eating, Plant-Based Nutrition Course Graduate, or Food for Life Instructor would help facilitate the discussion).

• Work through the public school system to get them to offer one WFPB meal option on the school menu (and ideally, have it be included in the reduced-cost/free menu options).

• Work with local farmers to provide a farmers’ market in low-income neighborhoods, and then help to publicize and create traffic so that the market will continue to be offered.

• Organize a local health fair or veg fest.

• Offer to teach cooking classes to groups with whom Pod members already have a relationship, such as a local church, school, cancer support groups, YMCA, etc.

• Offer to facilitate Jumpstarts in your local church or at your work, and then have your Pod provide additional cooking and shopping training. Learn more here.

• Don’t forget to reach out to local media to let them know about any of your Pod’s community events so they can take pictures/video and publish a story!

Ways to Maintain and Increase Attendance

Picking a Date

• You may choose to hold meetings on different days or at various times to accommodate a variety of schedules. Some Pods choose to set the same day and time for their meetings to make meetings a regular events on their members’ calendars. Decide what will work best for you and your Pod.

• If possible, schedule in advance or be prepared to schedule the next meeting at the end of the current meeting. That way you can announce it to everyone in attendance and check to see if the time works for most people present.

• Check the local calendar for events happening in your area, and try to plan your meetings to avoid conflicts.

Choosing a Location

• Hold meetings at locations that are convenient to Pod members. If your Pod covers a large area, alternate between a couple of locations. Seek member help on securing space in areas unknown to you.

• Restaurants are great, but they can be noisy and sometimes it can be difficult to get the entire group seated together. Other locations might include the community room in a local library, a member’s home, church community rooms, local college/university, YMCA, or parks during good weather with available shelter and picnic areas.

• When choosing a location, remember to consider parking options, access to the building and restrooms, audio-visual equipment, etc. If you plan to show a movie or give a presentation, ensure in advance that you’ll have the A/V equipment that you need and practice setting it up so you know it works.

Meeting Tips

• Provide food - Offer WFPB snacks at your meetings. You can ask for volunteers to commit to providing this, or combine the meeting with a potluck.

• Respect people's time - Start and finish your meeting as scheduled and avoid long meetings.

• Include introductions - It is always useful to start the meeting asking each person to say their name and one or two sentences about themselves. It is also useful to introduce the purpose of the meeting early on and remind people that the group is part of the grassroots movement getting underway via PlantPure Communities.

• Welcome newcomers - For many people, it can be intimidating to join a new group, especially if they don’t already know someone. Make sure new guests are greeted individually when they come to your meeting.

• Accept everyone - It will be useful to verbally recognize that people are in different places in their wellness journeys. This will encourage more people to feel comfortable to actively engage in the group. Many people will not join or show up at future meetings if they feel they are being judged or that they must be 100% plant-based. By accepting members exactly where they are, you are giving them the time and space to make lifestyle adjustments at their own pace.

• Plan social time - Allow a little time at the beginning of the meeting for people to greet and socialize. Remember that building community is a core goal for Pods.

Ways to Keep People Engaged and Enthusiastic

Keeping Meetings Fresh

• Think about the message you want people to receive from the specific meeting and have a planned agenda for your meeting with that take-away in mind.

• Invite speakers to offer presentations. See Finding Speakers for Pod Meetings for ideas.

• Offer door prizes such as books or DVDs. Consider asking Pod members if they want to donate things for door prizes.

• Identify one or more long-term projects with the Pod to undertake and share the responsibility of working on it with members. Make time at each meeting to hear updates about the project and seek feedback. For project ideas, check out PPC's Toolkits and Classes.

• Invite members on a tour of a local animal sanctuary, grocery store, or other point of common interest.

• Plan family-friendly projects and activities for one of your meetings.

Staying in Touch and Getting to Know One Another

• Between meetings, stay in touch with members via email, a social media group, or other interactive discussion settings. Share articles, recipes, etc., to encourage engagement.

• At meetings, play a “name game” and/or offer name tags so that people can get to know each other. Name games can help people learn each other's names, begin conversations, and set everyone in the group at ease. They can be followed by other “ice-breaking” activities.

• Engage members in discussion, allow everyone to speak and be heard.

• Maintain an open door policy for members to make suggestions.

Skill Sheet: Creating Digital Designs on Canva – Canva is a free graphic design software service that allows you to create digital designs for both web and print use. If you are interested in designing flyers, info cards, social media images, brochure, and more, Canva is a valuable and useful tool. This guide will show you how to set up an account and get started with a basic design.

We request that you review the above Skill Sheet before accessing the templates via Canva which we have designed for your use. When you visit the following links, you will be taken to Canva’s website.

— BEFORE YOU BEGIN! — Make a copy and save as a new item, otherwise your changes will be made to the “original” template.

Save The Date Cards Pod/WFPB Business Cards Join A Pod Card WFPB Flyer Flyer to Promote a Pod Meeting

Step 1 : Build the Pod Contact List

We encourage each Pod leader to retain a list of Pod member phone numbers and email addresses. Click here for our sign-up sheet. In order to establish your Pod, we recommend you focus first on having the ability to connect with Pod members personally (email, phone, in-person). Plan on sending periodic emails, and use them to promote your events and to establish a supportive base of members.

Mailing List

Cost: Free

Creating a mailing list can be easy:

1. Store member emails: We recommend using Google Sheets as you can access the list from any computer, share it with co-leaders, and avoid the risk of losing the list if your computer crashes.

   • Set up the sheet so that each email address is in a cell in a single column. You may also wish to include other information about your members, such as their names and phone numbers. Place this info in additional columns.

2. Sending messages:

   • Select the column with the email addresses and click “Copy”.

   • Paste the email addresses into the email address field. We recommend that you use the “BCC” field.

Step 2 : Creating an Online Pod Presence

When you’re ready to broadcast your Pod to the larger community, there are many options available, some free and some with fees. For Pods in larger cities, these options, such as Facebook, can connect you to large existing organizations that will happily help broadcast your message on their groups and pages. As your Pod grows, consider adding additional forms of communication like Meetup, MailChimp, or Eventbrite.

Facebook - www.facebook.com

Cost: Free

Facebook allows you access to like-minded individuals with the click of a few buttons. Whether you like Facebook or not, we can all agree that it has an all-in-one atmosphere for event planning that helps drive turnout.

1. Setting up: Choose whether you would like to create a “Group” or “Page” or both.

   • Group - groups allow for discussion among members. You can decide whether you would like to approve all member posts, or whether members can post without approval. You can also decide whether you want your group to be “public” or “private.” Instructions can be found in this article and/or video.

   • Page - allows you to post and allows others to follow. You would be the only one who can post and you would need to approve all member posts and publish them under your own name. Instructions can be found in this article and this video.

   • If your intent is to create conversation and to allow Pod members to share pictures and stories about their journey on the WFPB lifestyle, we recommend that you create a “group.” Pages are primarily used by businesses or organizations.

2. Promoting events on Facebook: If you intend to advertise your event publicly to a large community, then we suggest that you create an event on your personal Facebook page and then share that link to others in the community. This is most important if your Pod is located in a large city with other active Facebook pages. If you create an event in your group, then only those who join your group can attend the event. If you create an event in a private group, then only your private group will know about the event.

3. Creating an event on your personal page, is simple. Go to your news feed (click the Facebook logo on the top left) and follow these instructions.

Meetup - www.meetup.com

Cost: ~$100 for 6 months or up to $35 a month for Meetup Pro

Meetup is a platform for finding and building local communities. People use Meetup to meet new people, learn new things, find support, get out of their comfort zones, and pursue their passions together.

1. Setting up: Go to Meetup.com and follow their instructions under “Start a Group.”

2. Considerations:

   1. The basic plan costs ~$200 a year to host 3 Meetup groups. Pods can team up and split the cost of the Meetup allowing each Pod access to a single group for $65 a year. In addition, Pods who use Meetup often ask for a donation from members to help cover the cost of the Meetup account.

   2. Like Facebook, you might have a large Meetup with low turnout. Pods tell us that although their Meetup might have 200 people, few members actually engage over the platform. People can create a free account and join meetups all over the world without paying. Neither a Meetup page nor a Facebook group can guarantee an active Pod.

Google Groups - groups.google.com/forum/

Cost: Free

All of your discussions in one place: Organize with favorites and folders, choose to follow along via email, and quickly find unread posts. It is possible to access Groups from anywhere using your mobile device.

1. Choose the type of Group you want: Email list, Web Forum, Q&A Forum, or Collaborative Inbox.

2. Choose whether you want the Group visible to anyone on the web or just the Group members.

3. Organize your discussions by topic and choose who can search for topics.

4. Control who can post and who can join the group.

Mailchimp - www.mailchimp.com

Cost: Free for up to 2,000 contacts and 10,000 emails per month. There are fees for plans with more contacts, emails, and advanced automation.

Mailchimp helps you keep track of new members, allows members to subscribe and unsubscribe, allows you to address each individual by their name, and shows who opens the emails.

1. Setting up: Visit the Mailchimp 101 page for details.

2. Import your email list into the platform.

EventBrite - www.eventbrite.com

Cost: Free

Since Pod events are typically free (or request donations to cover costs) you can use Eventbrite to advertise events. You can use this in addition to other methods, and it can help get the word out to those who do not use Facebook.

Create your own Website

There are many options for creating a website, some of which cost money. Consider using WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace.

Other Websites or Services to Consider

Group texting - Phone needed. This option could be good for a small group chat (10 people or less) and works for quick communication with short, to-the-point messages. With larger groups, there would likely be too many messages each day.

Facebook Messenger - This option works well for a small group chat (10 people or less), making it easy to share articles, events, and photos. With larger groups, there would likely be too many messages each day.

WhatsApp - A great option for international Pods. This app could be good for a small group chat (10 people or less) and makes it easy to share articles and photos. With larger groups, there would likely be too many messages each day.

GroupMe - This app creates a private chatroom for anyone in your group, allowing you to keep in regular contact with members and encouraging more regular conversation among members. Keep in mind that it works best for people who have smartphones. Those without a smartphone might find it overwhelming if there are many messages sent each day.

Click here to submit your Pod news!

Please let us know what’s happening with your Pod.

We love to hear about your events! Use this form to submit a photo and description of your Pod’s recent event.

We may post it on our Pod News webpage and our social media.

Send an email to news@plantpurecommunities.org with questions.

PlantPure Communities advocates a whole food, plant-based diet, without animal products, which consists of:

• Vegetables, including leafy greens

• Fruits

• Whole grains

• Legumes/beans

• Nuts and seeds

As explained in the film, PlantPure Nation, “PlantPure” was selected as a term for describing a whole food, plant-based diet because it is suggestive of Nature. Nature is pure … perhaps the only experience we will have in this earthly life that is indeed perfect.

Importantly, we do not mean that people should be purists in their eating habits. There is a school of thought in the plant-based community that salt and sugar, as well as nuts, avocados, and other plant foods high in natural fat, should never be consumed. We don’t subscribe to this.

First, nuts, seeds, avocados, and other whole-­plant foods high in natural fat are essential to a healthy diet when consumed in modest amounts. The argument against natural fat in whole, plant-based foods is the same reductionist thinking used by the dairy industry to advocate for milk consumption.

Milk contains calcium and calcium is a building material for bones, so the dairy industry has argued for years that we should consume milk. Yet science shows that increased consumption of high protein foods like milk and other animal-derived foods (coupled with consumption of less plant-derived foods) are associated with lower long-term bone health. Biology is complex — infinitely so. What matters most is not the presence of calcium in milk, but the wholistic effects of milk on the body. Likewise, what matters most with whole plant foods high in fat is the way they are utilized by the body and the effects they produce, and research is increasingly showing these plant foods to be beneficial.

Salt and sugar are in a different category. Adding extra salt and sugar out of their natural context is not essential to our diet. We believe it is important, however, that people should be free to eat food with flavors they enjoy. We will not change the world around the idea of plant-based nutrition if we tell people they must give up the food they love for food that tastes bland.

The PlantPure Communities (PPC) Culinary Philosophy allows for modest levels of added salt and sugar, based on the assumption that as people experience the benefits of this diet, they will do their best to reduce these ingredients as much as possible over time. Taste preferences change, so once we become accustomed to a low-salt and low-sugar diet, we discover that these flavors “pop” at low amounts.

The PPC Culinary Philosophy also allows people the opportunity to have, now and then, a fun dessert and even a glass of beer or wine.

The only ingredient we advocate avoiding as much as possible is added oil. This ingredient is not necessary to the creation of great-tasting meals; it is possible to create flavor without oil. An argument can be made that very small amounts of oil (like a very small splash of sesame oil in a kale dish) is likely to do little or no harm, but the problem is that many people have difficulty drawing the line with oil. A little can easily turn into too much. So we suggest just staying away from it.

Our science advisor, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, has long maintained that you get most of the potential health benefit from dietary change simply by moving to a whole food, plant-based diet. Becoming a purist is not likely to create much additional gain, and whatever gain might appear pales in comparison to the gain from going plant-based. In his view, we can gain more than 95% of the potential health benefit by moving to a diet as described above. We can quibble about whether we can add another incremental benefit by becoming purists, but why do this when the cost is a diet deficient in flavor? Our goal is not to motivate a small number of purists, but to launch a revolution that transforms society.

There are two impulses present in many of us. One is the impulse to be “right” and to judge those who are “wrong.” The other is the humble, nonjudgmental impulse to love. We favor the second, knowing that love is the more powerful, more transformational choice. And we love our neighbors and the larger world when we give them a plant-based option that is joyful.

This statement was reviewed and approved by our science advisor, Dr. T. Colin Campbell.

Download the flyer summarizing the PPC Culinary Philosophy!

Disclaimer: The information shared by PlantPure Communities (PPC) is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you are on medication and are changing to a whole food, plant-based diet, you should discuss with your health care provider the changes that you are making in your diet and how these changes may require an adjustment in medication dosage. It is important that you work with your doctor to monitor your condition and medication dosage during your change of dietary practices.

• Find out what topics Pod members would be interested in having covered.

• Explore your own network. Remember that speakers do not have to be celebrities.

• Post in online plant-based support groups and check LinkedIn contacts.

• Invite Pod members to speak: There are likely a few who have seen exceptional health benefits by switching to a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle. Find out if anyone holds a Center for Nutrition Studies Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate, or is certified through the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine “Food For Life” Program, and could give a short presentation on a specific subject. Also, request that members share their recovery stories - a series of these types of stories might be particularly inspirational.

  • Be considerate that some people might not have a lot of experience with speaking in front of a group, so work with them to find out what they would be comfortable doing. For instance, they may prefer to speak while everyone’s eating at a potluck rather than stand in the front of a room with no distractions. Also, carefully consider the time allotted to a speaker. Experienced, vetted speakers can be allotted more time, and new speakers can have more limited time which will reduce the new speaker’s anxiety and also minimize the impact on the meeting if they are poorly received.

• Reach out to Pod members to see if anyone has suggestions; many people have contacts, and that is often the easiest way.

• Do not rule out speakers who live far away or who cannot attend your meeting in person! See if they would be comfortable using Zoom or a video conference option to speak to your Pod.

• Ask Pod leaders of other Pods for recommendations. Post on the Pod Leader Facebook Group asking whether anyone has had speakers they would recommend.

• If you listen to Podcasts and hear a really motivational speaker, try contacting that person to see whether they would be willing to give a short talk and answer questions over video.

• Think outside the whole food, plant-based box and consider getting speakers from complementary areas, such as:

  • Environmental organizations

  • Master gardeners

  • Local healthy food restaurant owners or health food store owners

  • Representatives from a local farmers' market, food co-op, or community-supported agriculture (CSA)

  • Recreation/fitness groups

  • Local university

  • Animal sanctuaries or other animal protection group

  • Ethical Choices Program - provides trained speakers for free to classrooms and delivers balanced thoughtful presentations. Pods have successfully had representatives from this group speak at evening Pod meetings held in the vicinity of the local school where there was a day presentation.

• There are a number of points to consider if you invite someone to speak who is not WFPB, or who has a particular cause they care strongly about and may want to promote. Make sure to understand what your speaker's agenda might be and ask them to share their presentation with you in advance. Send an email (so it's in writing) asking them to agree not to promote anything which is in conflict with the PPC Culinary Philosophy (e.g., not WFPB). If they'd like to speak about controversial topics, ask that they first discuss them with you so that you may decide whether or not they are appropriate topics for the meeting.

Save the Date Card 1

Save the Date Card 2

Pod/WFPB Business Card 1

Pod/WFPB Business Card 2

Join a Pod Card

WFPB Flyer