Post by upfromsumdirt on Oct 6, 2006 16:35:33 GMT -5
Professional Porch Sitters Union
c/o PPS Local 1339
1339 Hull Street
Louisville, KY 40204
United States
crowblackcrow@yahoo.com
Professional Porch Sitters (PPS) is an informal organization with a large and growing grassroots membership. To become a member you simply need to say you are a member and agree to sit around with friends and neighbors shooting the breeze as often as possible or practical. Preferably on a porch but that's not critical. There are no dues, no membership requirements, no mailings, no agenda, no committees, no worries. PPS believes that the radical act of sitting around sharing stories with no specific agenda is critical to building sustainable communities.
Television and air-conditioning have moved far too many people off their porches and into their homes where they quickly become isolated from their communities. We believe that sometimes the most effective course of action is to sit down and relax while sipping lemonade and sharing stories.
PPS only has one rule but it's more like a suggestion. "Sit down a spell. That can wait."
Starting your own chapter of PPS is simple. You simply declare yourself a local chapter, pick a number to represent your Local Chapter identity and then sit back with friends and neighbors to celebrate with an interesting story or two. Meetings can be called at any time by any member and attendance is optional. You are invited to communicate with PPS Headquarters but that is voluntary since no records are kept. PPS was founded on a porch in Louisville, Kentucky in 1999 but many additional chapters have been founded since then. Perhaps your chapter will be next.
We would love to hear from you if you start up a chapter, but don't sweat it if you don't. Inquiries can be addressed to:
PPS Local 1339
1339 Hull Street
Louisville KY, 40204
Or email crowblackcrow@yahoo.com
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PPS appeared in the May/June 2006 issue of Orion magazine (click on magazine link at the top of the page to learn more) and then on NPR's All Things Considered, July 28, 2006. Listen here:
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5589974
