World Factbook
Welcome to the guide to Operation Bon Appétit’s Dinners. This is a work in progress and it is hoped that people around the world will add their creative ideas to the themed events and even create new ones that reflect the vision and principles of the Earth Charter.
We would like this guide to be helpful to Special Ops Agents who bring fellow collaborators together for Operation Bon Appétit Dinners to create world change through conviviality, conversation and actions.
“A cause which stands for a beautiful ideal should not demand the denial of life and joy. A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having.”
First and foremost, the gatherings must be fun! There is already too much seriousness in the world, and we need a breather—but we also believe in and want positive changes to be made so that all of humanity has lives of dignity, comfort, safety and hope and this planet stays alive and thrives so future generations can enjoy it.
So who says that fun and meaningfulness are mutually exclusive? Not us, that’s for sure! Most folks agree that getting together with people they like over good food and drinks makes them feel good and they have fun. It is also true that such gatherings not only enhance connections among people, they also foster new creative ways of thinking as well as sustain involvement in an activity.
In short and in the words of feminist author Emma Goldman: “A cause which stands for a beautiful ideal should not demand the denial of life and joy. A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having.”
Good thinking, Emma–although we choose to think of our work as evolutionary not revolutionary. But whatever you choose to call it, we deeply believe that we are “on to something” that is very important and can contribute greatly to positive world change.
You will find information in this Factbook to assist you in hosting an Operation Bon Appétit Dinner including:
Bon Appetit Operatives
- Culinary Agent
One who likes to cook or plan menus - Spirits Specialists
One who likes to choose drinks and beverages for the gatherings - Intelligence Analyst
One who enjoys dreaming up questions to fit the themes - Social Change Agent
One who can put forward actions to address the evening’s themes - Art Specialists
One who enjoys designing/making tablescapes or other art/music/spoken word activity that reflect the theme
Themes
- New Economy
- School Education that Works
- Arts & Sustainability
- Power of Smart Consumerism
- Connecting with Global Friends
- Celebration of Grassroots
- Inclusive Family Values
- Joys of Cooking Regional and Sustainable Foods
- Creating a Culture of Peace
Dinner Components
Guest list
People to invite that you might not have thought to include.
Tablescapes
Which are more than table decorations. They reflect the theme for the dinner and can stand alone as unique works of art.
Menu
Including recipes and suggestions for wines, beer and other beverages
Music/Art
Activities to add to the atmosphere
Conversational Starter
Questions/exercises to get the conversation rolling.
Questions to be Asked after a Glass of Wine
Questions to introduce the theme for the gathering and to explore ideas and opinions about it. It is suggested that they be asked after one glass of wine or glass of your favorite beverage.
Actions
Suggested actions to be discussed after two glasses of wine or your favorite beverages that can be initiated by the individual or group to address the theme.
Closing Toast
A suggested way to bring the gathering to a close and reinforce its theme. It is definitely recommended that a future Operation Bon Appétit Dinner be planned to keep the momentum for change going.
Additional Readings
Additional readings to give you more information and resources about the themes for the Operation Bon Appétit Dinners.
Table Manners
Here are a few “Table Manners” that will make the gatherings more enjoyable for all.
- Treat others as you wish to be treated, meaning:
- Please be courteous
- Do not interrupt one another
- Honor each other’s different perceptions
- Allow others to have time to speak by staying aware of the time you take
- Encourage those who do not speak up to do so by inviting them to say something
- Build on others’ ideas and not simply expound on your own
- In the course of discussion, group members may make personal disclosures, which are to be held confidential and kept within the group.
- And, of course, celebrate anything and everything that is said and/or done that leads to actions for change. Possible examples range from simple “standing ovations” by the group to preparation of a special dish or drink as gift for the one being celebrated to personally designed certificates awarded by the group.
As a Special Agent Host, you also have the responsibility to assure that guests feel good not only about their own participation but also their interactions with the group.
Invitation Suggestion
Below are links to examples of an invitation that you might want to use for your Operation Bon Appétit Dinner.
Click here to download the PDF