Organizing ideas for making your potluck a success

• You could consult with a few friends first, and they could agree to teach one recipe or another, and say what ingredients they will bring.  And then that info could go into the lists on the invitation.

• Send out your invitation with enough time for people to plan on coming, and for you to invite different people if some of the original invitees can't come.  Maybe 10 days would be good.

• If you don't hear back from people within 2 days, give them a call and find out if they are coming and what they are bringing.

• If your friends are tech savvy, you can use a google doc to share the ingredients list, and that way, you won't get 2 people offering to bring the same thing.

• If you have a big garden, or can visit one nearby to get your produce, you can add some time to the schedule and invite people to come early and harvest together.

• If you are open to having children, say so!  A potluck is a wonderful way to introduce kids to a more healthy lifestyle, and to let them help with picking and cooking fresh produce.

• When you talk to people, get a commitment from them.  Don't let them say or email "I'll try to come."  That usually means no.  You can say, "I want to be sure to have X guests, so can you tell me yes or no?"

• Nothing increases attendance at a party or any event like reminder calls.  Calling the day before may double your turnout!  If you are embarrassed, you can use some excuse like "the mosquitos are bad.  Do you have any citronella candles you can bring tomorrow?" or "I've run out of thyme, and I need it tomorrow for the baked chicken.  Can you bring some when you come?"

• Relax and have fun!