A Transition Cafe is a gathering of people at a local independent cafe to share ideas and experiences – and it’s been gathering steam. William Mutch started hosting Transition Cafes this fall, each time holding down a table at a local independent cafe and inviting people to come and chat about a pre-announced topic.   Topics have included housing, community and food, the Transition/permaculture connection, activism, reconciliation, morality and the environment, religion, and storytelling and have been held in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Mountain View. Sometimes it’s a few people, other times it’s lots more – but it’s always a fine opportunity to learn, share, and connect.

The guidelines are simple:

• Whoever shows up are the right people.
• When it starts is the right time.
• The conversation gets to go where it wants to go.
• Pauses in conversation can be good, they allow information to sink in, thoughts to happen, and quieter people to have a chance to speak.
• If you are feel like you are neither learning nor contributing, use the “law of mobility” to find a place where you are doing so.
• Bring friends, if we overpopulate the venue, we’ll figure something else out.
• If you are able, please buy stuff from the venues.  We’re trying to support local businesses!
• Anyone can host a Transition Cafe!  All you need is an hour or two, an independent cafe you like, and a starting subject.  Bring something to read while you wait for folks to show up (see the first point).

To learn about the Transition Cafes, just make sure you’re on the Transition Palo Alto mailing list (go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transitionpaloalto/ to sign up) and keep your eyes open for announcements.