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. Indeed, PPS believes that building sustainable communities is one of the most important things that can be done in these trying times.
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
1339 Hull Street
Louisville KY, 40204
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2 comments:
I think there are many chapters here in South Africa, only instead of porches and swings, people sit on upturned buckets under Acacia trees. And you're right - there is a stronger sense of community in those areas, which comes from the bond of a shared history and lives. That is something that is hard to do in the suburbs where people live behind electric fences and walls, and there is virtually no chance for community to develop.
You're right about how difficult it is in the suburbs...whether in extreme situations like yours or in suburban America, people still tend to isolate themselves. It seems that suburbanites have to be brave and invite their neighbors to come sit inside their own homes.
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