Possible meet-up idea

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

This is either a brilliant idea or a really stupid one, and I can handle the snarks (thankfully there is a snark community for this place).

Since 1) it looks like we are going to have some sort of non-bar meetup next month (either in addition to or instead of a bar meetup), and 2) It looks like a lot of people have things they need to get rid of...

Would it be possible to have the "meetup" be a group yard sale of some kind? We could then donate the sales to a charity *insert snark about how I turned into a freakin hippie*.

It is very easy to set up a charity page such as this one that I just created as an example. This would raise money for a local homeless coalition, but there could be others. If we did it, we would need a place to have it and we would need people to donate things. Individuals donating and selling items would be on the "honor system" whether they donated the proceeds or not. I don't know if Somerville would let us set up our things in a park or if there was someone willing to donate their front yard to make it happen.

If this is a bad idea, thats fine as well.

EDIT: Thanks to a very detailed and informative email from closetalker11, we are going to have to discuss the planning/ organization of this event. There are lots of ideas and we will need to work out the logistics. If you want to be in on the planning or have some interest in helping with organizing this, please join the temporary community davis_sale.

Comments

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

i think this is a pretty neat idea, actually, since many people [myself included] also move in august or september, so i'll perhaps also have some stuff to get rid of then and be mostly packed up.

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

I've been seeing lots of yard sales in mah hood lately. Its the season for it both because of nice weather and people getting ready to move.

[richips.livejournal.com]

that would be all kinds of awesome!

and you are using First Giving!

i am so warm and fuzzy right now.
love,
a freakin hippie

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

Dendrophiliac!

[richips.livejournal.com]

HEY I TRUSTED YOU WITH THAT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

:-D

Hey!

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

You donated! Thanks. It was just an example page, now I hope it is the one we use. You rock :)

Re: Hey!

[richips.livejournal.com]

Yay! Fill it out a little more so people know how awesome you are. I LOVE FIRSTGIVING SO MUCH!

[ifotismeni]

interesting idea! my housemates and i are having a huuuge house/garage sale later this month, perhaps any leftover inventory can go to this? (i'll ask them)

if we do a group sale, perhaps we should make it like a BBQ or something so people actually hang around for a while?

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

Yep, we could have a sort of picnic or something so we can socialize while selling.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Food. A great idea.

[ifotismeni]

always.

[incontango.livejournal.com]

That's not a bad idea at all. I have a ton of stuff to get rid of.

ONE GIANT GROUP HUG

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

This would be a great idea, I think. I've got lots of stuff to donate. We just need a yard. :-)

Re: ONE GIANT GROUP HUG

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

We might be able to get permission to use the field on Holland for this -- it's been done before, anyway, so why not us? I'd be willing to take point on that part if we decide to move forward.

Re: ONE GIANT GROUP HUG

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I think the person you'd need to talk to would be Alderman Bruce Desmond. He's the chair of the permits and licenses committee. If it's not him, I'm sure he could tell you who to contact.

[mperrotti76.livejournal.com]

NO I don't want any of yr crap. kthnxbai.

yea!

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

Can I put in a plug for Food For Free (foodforfree.org) as the recipient? We deliver fresh vegetables to pantries, shelters, and meal programs.

(Disclaimer: I work there.)

I think its a great idea, wherever you decide to donate the proceeds.

Re: yea!

[richips.livejournal.com]

whoa i wanna volunteer there! kind of like Food Not Bombs? i've been looking for something like that which doesn't interfere with my work schedule (silly jobs) and veganism.

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

A lovely idea. I have no idea whether you can get a permit for a joint yard sale/flea market for a public space, but if the proceeds are donated to a charitable cause, you might be able to pull it off.

Just bear in mind, however, that you won't be able to "drink while selling things." The regulations under which you can get a one-day permit to sell alcohol are complex and extensive -- and don't extend to public spaces.

[richips.livejournal.com]

I second, i am sure the city would be glad to let us use some park space for a charitable event!

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

I was sort of joking about the drinking thing in public. Breaking the law isn't really something we should be doing :)

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Breaking the law and getting caught isn't really something we should be doing :)

I fixed your comment. :-)

[richips.livejournal.com]

Whoa, déja lu.

[apricot3.livejournal.com]

you shouldn't really joke about drinking, that's not nice to those who take it seriously!

and besides, he said that we would not be able to get a permit to Sell it, there was no mention of not bringing along a flask....
okay fine now i'm joking about it, i apologize :(

until this is all set up, there's always Freecycle for those needing to bid riddance to items:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreeCycle-Somerville-MA/

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

I would definitely be into this if I'm around on the agreed date. I always have stuff I want to get rid of! And I haven't been able to make a meet-up yet!

Unfortunately, I can't offer any yard space because my house does not have one speck of grass surrounding it.

[ilai]

> EDIT: We could drink while selling things, although we might not be able to give back correct change after a certain point in time.

That's why we need the idea of a "designated cashier"...

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

It's a good idea if someone is willing to properly organize and advertise it (tables, gathering items, working with the SHC, etc). I'm willing to help as long as I'm not in charge :).

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

I can certainly do the flyering, but I don't have the tables. Gathering the items would be an issue because not everyone that donates can be there at that particular time.

We might just have to say "only things you can bring over that day can be donated, ie, we can't store things for you".

Who let the anal non profit event planning person in??

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

OK, I have a bunch of ideas to make this work, logistically. I can send you a separate email.

Re: Who let the anal non profit event planning person in??

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

WHOOHOOOO!

I think you have it, but anomie666@gmail.com would work.

Re: Who let the anal non profit event planning person in??

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

OK. Emailing now (why do real work when I can do thing I want to be doign at my job for free???).

Re: Who let the anal non profit event planning person in??

[firepail.livejournal.com]

I'm telling!

Re: Who let the anal non profit event planning person in??

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, would anyone even understand that it's not for work??? :)

Re: Who let the anal non profit event planning person in??

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

K, I just sent you a REALLY long email. YEA

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

It is a neat idea, you hippie. :-)

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

I'm still a proud republican, you commie.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Fine, fine, I take it back.

Randroid. :-)

[exsplusohs.livejournal.com]

Yes! Mostly because I'm moving and need SO MUCH STUFF...

Oh the horrors of moving from a shared apartment to a brand new place...

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

I would be up for joining in this as well.

[beowabbit]

Squee! I have a lot of big bulky stuff I need to divest myself of. And I would even bring a sledgehammer in case it doesn't sell. :-)

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I'm in! We have lots of junk.