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What it’s Like Hosting a Civic Dinner: Four Questions for Alicia Philipp
Posted on: Jan 25, 2018
Alicia Philipp felt right at home hosting at a dinner devoted to connecting people. As president of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, her work of 40 years connects donors to nonprofits they’re passionate about. Alicia hosted her Civic Dinner at her house, where she cooked a meal for six guests.
Learn all about ARC Civic Dinners, (really, it’s pretty simple,) and sign up to host or attend here.
What do you like most about the Civic Dinners concept?
I’ve always said we could have world peace if only everyone would sit down and eat together. The act of breaking bread with people and eating together can change things! That’s the reason ARC Civic Dinners should be very successful and build new bonds.
What were the biggest takeaways from your Civic Dinner?
Our topic was prosperity. And it just turned into a fascinating conversation. We asked: why can’t we be a community that’s more equitable? One of my guests had actually been to a dinner with Martin Luther King [as a young girl]. When we talk about an equitable Atlanta, that conversation often starts with King.
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How did your guests respond to the dinner?
They really liked having that space to be able to talk about these topics. Several of them said they felt like they could say what they thought, that there was trust in the room, that they could really voice what they thoughts.
What would you say to a friend who was considering taking part in a Civic Dinner, but hesitating?
Do it. Do it! You don’t have to cook — go to a restaurant if you want. But definitely do it. It’s just such a wonderful way to meet a great diversity of people and have conversations we usually don’t have the time to have.