Raven, that's hilariously awful!

At Robert's office, a sign up sheet is passed around a couple of times so that everyone can see what others are bringing. That helps avoid duplication. Plus, the meats, paper and plastic ware, and drinks are provided for by the small fee everyone contributes.

Yes, at our work parties we sign up for at least something in a general category. From the selection you had today, I'd enjoy the sweet potatoes and probably little else. (Don't do tree nuts and I'm very limited on the amount of sugars I'll eat.)

We have a bi-monthly Wine and Cheese. Usually there is quite a different assortment of appetizers but on one occasion there was mostly hot dogs and on another, mostly deviled eggs. It probably is best to state what category you will be covering at the very least. Tossed salad, gelatin, salad, main dish, veggie or dessert.

Providing meat for a group is a considerable contribution compared to bringing a salad, veg side dish, rolls, or a dessert. Not sure why that would be expected without prior consultation. If members would prefer a more well rounded meal for the event why not just discuss it and then let people sign up? Appropriate donation to person who buys the meat for all.

I have brought a ham before which is why I almost did it this time. I have no problem spending the money because I know some of the very fixed income ladies can't. It has never been this bad before thankfully. Sometimes we do say something like this is a salad day so everyone bring different types of salads which surprisingly turned out well.

My favorite thing today was the sweet potatoes which had the pecan topping.

I think they have been doing things this way for so long they are not excited about changing. But I think even if a select group of us got together a list between us we would be much more apt to have a better balance of food.

I was the one that got us to actually go out to a local restaurant for our thanksgiving luncheon. It was just becoming too much trouble for someone to host the event at their home. Many of the members are quite elderly and I want them to be able to just come and enjoy and not have to worry about making or bringing food. This was very successful and much enjoyed. I got a local small restaurant to agree to prepare our meal and the lady has done a wonderful job. I am considering doing similar for the Christmas luncheon. We have had it at Lou's house for years but she is going to be 90 in the next few months. I am one of the younger members and I am definitely a senior lol. We are hoping to get some new members!

The restaurant for the holiday meals sounds great! How nice that you found a place that will accommodate you and do a good job.

Ilucy, in our group, as well, we have people who don't mind providing the proteins. Three people could also get together to do meat, and spend about the same as someone else does on salad. Other groups have a central kitty and a set amount that people have to contribute, and one person disburses it to the contributors. Often that won't cover the whole cost, but might, for instance, pay for the chicken for everybody but not the other ingredients (e.g., if you were making Marbella). There are all kinds of ways to make things run smoothly for your group and their expectations.

In the past, I experienced "push back" to coordinating the dishes for my card group's potlucks as the ladies felt the menu would naturally turn out fine if we were to just wing it. However, after we ended up with 3/4's of the women bringing baskets of chips with salsa for the Mexican themed potluck, the wisdom of the sign-up started to appeal. So, when I put out a Sign-Up Genius page for the members to select from a variety of dishes (main, side hot veg, side salad, side carb, etc) prior to the next potluck, no one seemed to object. In other words, I feel your pain!

I once planned yet another Super Bowl party where we provided all drinks, and when asked what to bring,

I asked people to bring their favorite "munchie". We wound up with mostly deviled eggs.........

My parents have a home in a mobile home community in FL comprised mainly of retirees who live there in the winter. Every year a group of neighbors get together and reserve the community hall for Thanksgiving & Christmas dinners. One woman is "in charge" she and her husband buy and cook the turkeys and make the gravy. Another couple makes all the mashed potatoes and buys a couple gallons of Gallo wine. The woman in charge visits the participating neighbors with a sign up sheet and gives them a choice as to what they would like to bring that year.

There is always a HUGE variety of sides, salads, desserts. The head count ends up being between 30 - 40 people depending on who has house guests. At the end of the meal one person goes around to collect for the contribution for the turkeys, wine, soft drinks, and paper products purchased. Works out to be $1.50-1.75 per person. That's it and something a person even on the tightest budget can afford. And there are always leftovers people are encouraged to take home.

This tradition has been working well for at least two decades that I'm aware of.

I've been to events were I am honestly the only person NOT bringing desserts or various pick up real quick at the supermarket junk food such as the bag of Cheetos (I always plan to bring something I can eat in case this turns out to be the case...)

There's one group I belong to that has sign ups for their themed pot luck events -- and if it is geared around an item that might be pricey (a shrimp main course, say) -- 2 or three people pitch in the money for that. This way, there is only two or three people bringing desserts, a couple bringing soups, three or four sides -- and people will say what sides they are bringing (something is usually a leafy salad, too) -- and a couple of appetizers. Plus the main or two or three, which may include a vegetarian main.

At our work get togethers, we sign up under general categories: mains (veggie or omni), sides/appetizers, and desserts. We have folks working there from all over the world, which makes those get togethers absolutely wonderful, and I never have room for dessert -- not that I really care, anyway! (Oooooo authentic steamed dumplings.... fantastic curries... . oooooo!)

Sometimes restaurants offer specials or discounts to groups who book in advance. Coupons may also be a source to lower the overall cost.

I have been to more than one work potluck that was nothing but taco salad and sweet and sour meatballs as far as the eye could see LOL!

Dances.

I love the comments and suggestions! And the stories of similar situations. I am leaning more towards going out some where. Our club has plenty of money and we do use it to eat out occasionally on our bus trips. We have a big sale once a year and sell plants from our gardens, Home baked goods, and craft goods. We do very well. Some people show up every year and a few want to buy everything we baked. We donate a large amount of our money to charity. So we do have the funds to cover expenditures when needed. We generally don't request it though. From now on if we have another pot luck I will have a contact list with a certain number of people and I will provide the meat, which is fine with me, that is easy!

Thanks so much for your suggestions and I appreciate the stories!

Sometimes even a sign-up sheet fails. We had one for a recent holiday buffet. I don't like to cook, altho I did make mashed potatoes one year (I'm really just not good in the kitchen -- my mom was not a role model in that area!). So I signed up to bring a crudite platter with dip and to provide a variety of sodas (six 2-liter bottles). A few days later, I noticed that a co-worker put down "soda" on the list. WHAT? It was still a short list by that point -- it's not like she didn't see that it was already covered, plus they were already purchased and chilling in my fridge; a bag of potato chips could've sufficed! Another person brought a bottle of water (like the plastic milk jug-size). Just shook my head over that one (cuz we DO have water fountains and an ice machine in the building!). Usually the company provides a turkey or ham, so at least there was meat!

That's where the menu is helpful. When someone signs up for soda the line is full and the next person has to choose from the lines that are open. :)