Step 2:
Involve the mayor of your city if possible. With his or her help, form a working committee to plan your first event. Together, prepare an invitation list. Include representatives from every cultural community you can identify in your city. Call them to explain the program and ask if they would like to participate as charter members. Ask them to commit themselves to help make the program take root and grow. Our invitation list included three couples from each of the following communities, most of which have organizations and elected leaders in Anchorage. We have since discovered many more groups.
· African American
· Alaska Native*
· Cambodian
· Caucasian
· Chinese
· East Indian
· Filipino
· Hispanic**
· Japanese
· Korean
· Laotian
· Samoan
· Thai
· Tongan
· Vietnamese
* There are three major Alaska Native peoples -- the Aleut, Indian and Eskimo, all of which have sub-groups.
** The Hispanics in Anchorage represent 23 Spanish-speaking nations, all of whom are interested in preserving their native cultures, including their distinctive music, foods and traditions. Since our first International Potluck, many of these groups have become involved.
Meet with the leaders of the major ethnic groups in your city to explain the idea of Bridge Builders and the goal to "build a community of friends" among the diverse groups living in your town or city.