Across the city of San Francisco, in the deep fog of January, a series of events have been set into motion. In bars, coffee shops, restaurants, offices and homes, there’s been a changing of the guard. Crisp one hundred dollar bills have been slid across tables and counters with the same message:

“With this hundred dollar bill, you are hereby inducted into the Secret Society for Creative Philanthropy”...

The mission, same as the one spoken to many creative souls in cities across the country since 2006, is simple: Give the money away in whatever curious, crazy, serious, funny, hare-brained, anonymous or visible way they see fit and live to tell the tale in front of a group of big hearted, funny, creative, and  philanthropic strangers. 

Last year, in the Year of the Tiger, was San Francisco’s first foray into creative philanthropy with ten lucky members of the inaugural class braving a way to have their gifted money have fierce purpose and soul. We came, we ate, we drank, and we toasted the ways that each of us found meaning in what it is to give.

This year, we turn to the Year of the Rabbit’s Class of 2011 to do it all over again. There will be drinks and laughs and good stories. It is said of Rabbit years, that as the months ahead pass, we will be called to engage our sympathy, understanding, and nurturing more and more as situations requiring comforts prevail. We can only assume that this year’s SSCP inductees will find a way to expand the tradition of creative guerilla giving. In fact, they were chosen with such great care that we can only expect great things.

This is the party where the stories get told. Come get inspired.

When:      Sunday, March 6

Where:     Burritt Room (2nd floor of the Crescent Hotel)

Time:        5:30 til whenever