I am proposing an optional, experimental event this year: small networking dinners at restaurants fairly near the conference hotel on Sunday, August 11, 2013. The idea is just to meet new people, chat more extensively than one might between sessions at the conference, and get warmed up for the section sessions, reception, and business meeting. Each person would pay his or her own costs and you can volunteer as a host – with minimal obligations – when you sign up. Several members of Council have already volunteered and we will assign people, basically at random, to groups with the goal of ending up with tables of 4-8 participants. Hosts agree to make a reservation (with some restaurant options provided) and to email those at their table in advance, with the time and place.
Sign up here if you are interested: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1okGmW5CBXDHFvDvrwHgdHzC4AIWDaxSfTbzowxX9eG0/viewform
