1. Those who can, please bring lots of extra stuff so we'll have plenty to share with newcomers.
I my own self have a few lil extra things, & I'm going to help my neighbor "clean up" her flower beds in return for some goodies like althea seedlings.

2. So far, the drawing has been very casual
(dare I say "structure-free"?);
those of us who have been moved by the spirit have just brought whatever,
& everybody's gotten a ticket,
& we keep drawing til everything's gone.

A more even-handed or fair way to handle it would be to give each person a ticket when they contribute an item for the drawing.

If you bring something but don't want to draw for a prize yourself, you can give your ticket to someone else.

What other contingencies do we need to consider?

I was planning to bring food of some sort, but we all need to understand that the food must be free too or else we will come under the scrutiny of the dreaded health department, and we don't want that. If we are billed by the News as a "free swap", I just hope there aren't a lot of people who show up hoping to get a bunch of freebies. Those of us who frequent this web site understand how the swap works and sometimes we get a plant and sometimes we give one without a swap.

You may want to consider a core of 'organizers' setting up the tempo and tenor of our group by letting newcomers know that if they came without anything, they should not expect to go home with a carload of free garden decorations and plants. Since there may be a large group of newbies it may be helpful to write some 'rules' on a placard (for their beneifit) so they understand how we work. Most of us who have been attending for a few years know each other and trust in full measure don't necessarily need to have an even swap each time. You're right about the idea of establishing more structure to the door prizes.

If there is a really huge turnout it might be helpful if everyone brings a second person to help with their offerings while you stroll around looking. Plan to lock your car. Plan to keep your wallet and money on your person. Sorry if I sound like an old horsefeathers, but I just don't want the day to be ruined by something like a theft.

Cheryl

Maybe a card on the buffet table saying something like, please put your covered dish on this table if you are participating in the cooperative luncheon.

& maybe a hand-out for newbies would be a good idea;
something explaining how to swap & letting people know how our swap works.

I haven't seen the story yet, but I doubt that it'll give the impression that "swap" means show up empty-handed & leave with a trunkful of garden supplies... .

Locking the car is always a good idea, I do it when I leave the car, no matter where I am, even if I'm just getting gasoline.

& I always wear something with pockets & keep my cards, pen, etc with me, & leave any money & valuables locked in the car.

Anybody got any good ideas for wording the placards/hand-outs?

I'll see what I can manage & post it on here asap for critiques/suggestions.

thanks all!

Participants,
please give Brenda your covered dish, or,
if you have arranged to trade garden materials for lunch, please see Brenda or Sylvia.

(It looks better in Microsoft Word, but I can't get gardenweb to show it that way).

off to work on the other hand-out...

Our first Trinity Park Swaps were just a few dedicated gardeners who "met" on the internet, & the Swap has evolved to what it is today.

"Structure"is minimal,
but we have a few basic rules to assure a happy, enjoyable, experience
for everyone:

While some of us bring "extras" to share, the swap is for trading;
if you want a plant or item that someone has brought, please offer something in return.

We don’t have rules about what you can trade,
"only seeds can be traded for seeds", etc.

If you want to swap your dandelions for a 4’ live oak tree, nobody’s going to make you accept anything less than a 4’ live oak tree…& if you want to swap your cow for a package of magic beans, nobody can stop you!

That said, rooted plants are the most popular trades;
If you bring unrooted cuttings in soil, please label them & let your trading partners know.

Plants should be well-established, labeled, & healthy.

Seeds should be dry & non-moldy, & labeled as to variety & year harvested.

You can bring any garden item to trade, but if you don’t have garden "extras" but you do
have another talent, feel free to offer things like handmade soaps, art, etc.

Lunch is a "hybrid cooperative":
You can bring a covered dish, such as potato salad, dessert, casserole, etc,
or you can work out a trade with the people who are providing the entrée.

Last year, I traded a couple of salvias for my lunch!

The prize drawing is a similar event:
When you put a prize on the prize table,
you get a ticket for the drawing.

(If you contribute a prize but you do not wish to participate in the drawing, you can give your ticket to someone else.)

We are always glad to see new faces at our Swap,
& we hope you become part of our garden swap tradition!

You wanted items for the raffle? So, I made up this.

Gave me an excuse to 'play' - design something just for the fun of it.

Dorothy

Debbie:::: will need a name tag for Phil Garza...a friend and fellow plant lover I talked into coming. HE'S bringing plants!
Weldon

1. Troublemakers will be composted
2. Freeloaders will get a hand spankin'
3. Food is for eating, not throwing
4. Don't take anything that doesn't belong to you
5. Be nice, play fair; if you don't be nice or play fair all these sweet little gardener ladies will hog tie you and beat you senseless. :)

Maybe we could make up cards that say,
"Ask_____________first!"

& each trader could fill in his/her name.

& I do like

"Troublemakers Will Be Composted".

It reminds me of some cute apothocary jars I once saw at Cracker Barrel.

They had labels like, "Memories", "Grandma's Love", or some such, can't remember.

but one of them said, "Ashes of Old Lovers".

Bwaaa Haaaaa Haaaa Haaaa Haaaaa.

& even if we do get swamped, we'll have the signs up about sharing & bringing a dish & so forth;

Let's have tickets for the meal same as for the drawing:

bring a dish, get a lunch ticket.
bring Brenda a plant, get a lunch ticket.
contribute supplies, etc, get a lunch ticket.

We've always tried to set up near the gazebo (can't set up inside because it always seems to be reserved), since it's far off the street.

I'll check with the parks people tomorrow & find out if there's anything going on that will make it impossible to get back inside the park.

If there is, we'll just set up where we did last autumn.

& I'll prepare some bright yellow signs to point the way!

.

What do we need to bring for lunch? Do we need plates, plastic ware, napkins? I'm good for one or two of those.
Barb

but Ruben & Brenda have the luncheon thing down to a system, & they do it very well, hot dogs & fixin's, drinks, utensils, etc, & everyone who partakes needs to reimburse them, either by a trade or by contributing toward the expense.

Brenda posted what they're doing for lunch on the "Part Deux" thread;
you can see it there & bring something to complement it if you wish.

(I me my own self, as you may recall, eat but do not cook, so I'm hoping Brenda can choose some of my plants in exchange for lunch!)

Sylvia - iffin your makin signs - does that mean you're gonna be there early lol