Location
The East Bay Poly Potlucks started about a decade ago (in the early 2000's), as a spin-off event of the sfbay-poly mailing list, and were held at one private location for a number of years. After a few years, the group started rotating between several locations. When the original owners of the group moved, ownership of the list was transferred, and a separate but related Discussion Group was formed. Both groups met once a month on Tuesdays. After a few more years, one of the Discussion Group hosts moved, and ownership shifted again. In summer of 2011, the Potlucks and the Discussion Groups merged, and the day of the month of the group became variable, depending on the availability of host/location and facilitator. As of summer of 2012, EBPP/DGs are mostly held in a couple of locations in Oakland, with occasional meetings farther afield, from Martinez to Hayward (so far!).
From the Yahoo Group page:
In the San Francisco Bay Area, EBPP/DG sponsors (surprise!) a monthly poly potluck and discussion in the East Bay (Oakland/Berkeley/Richmond area and environs), and occasional go-deeper special events. Just normal fun folks doing normal fun things, brought together by our common interest in all things polyamorous.
Meetings rotate amongst various East Bay locations, most often in the Oakland/Berkeley area, but sometimes ranging from Martinez to Hayward. Meetings also vary as to which day/date, most often taking place on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings.
The potlucks are social events where poly folks can hang out, chat, and enjoy each others' company. It's a social event, not a meat market or play party. (Nothing wrong with play parties but this isn't one.) Kids are sometimes welcome with adult supervision (depends on the host). Bring a dish to share. Some locations have restrictions, so please read the email and/or the information on the RSVP page.
During the event, we break for a discussion at about 7:30, which usually runs 60-90 minutes. The discussion group is a place to talk about what's going on for you in your poly life, both from the head and the heart.
There is no charge for any of this*. We do it to meet and hang out with good folks who are into what we are. Community, and like that.
[*Note that on sporadic occasions when a host opens their pool before the discussions, donations toward the heating and pool maintenance costs are encouraged. This is entirely voluntary; there is still no fee for the potluck or discussion.]
All are welcome! Poly, poly-friendly, and poly-curious of all persuasions and a variety of ages. As long as you're open to possibilities and respectful of diversity, we're happy to have you join us.
Sound interesting? Drop us an email with a bit about yourself (at the Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eastbaypolypotluck/) why you're interested in polyamory/this group!