Presenters: Sam Pierstorff, Ruhi Sheikh and Kate Trompetter
Ruhi, Sam and Kate have spent over a decade building and growing events in Stanislaus County that have amassed huge followings. Over the years, these community organizers and promoters have learned valuable lessons about what it means to enroll people in the message and the work. In this AFP presentation, Ruhi, Sam and Kate will share with us their experiences: the good, the bad and the remarkable, as well as the lessons they've learned along the way about messaging, fundraising, and enrolling people in their cause.
Ruhi Sheikh is the mother of three wonderful children. She is the co-organizer of Mod Shop, Modesto’s Porchfest, and the annual sell-out ILL-List & Chill List Poetry Slams. She is a board member of the Stanislaus County Commission for Women and one of the founding members of the Women of the West Film Festival. Ruhi is very proud to be a Modesto resident, and being able to create spaces for creative souls in Modesto is her absolute joy.
Sam Pierstorff is a professor of English at Modesto Junior College. He received his MFA degree in poetry from CSULB and has published more than 200 poems, one book, and he co-edited a bestselling anthology of 50 Modesto poets, More Than Soil, More Than Sky, in 2011. Founder of the annual sell-out ILL LIST Poetry Slam, Sam has performed at many universities including Harvard. He was appointed Poet Laureate of Modesto in 2004, was the Grand Prize winner at The Valley Talent Project in 2018, a featured speaker at the inaugural TEDxModesto event, and he has been a two-time contestant on NBC's American Ninja Warrior, certifying him as the world’s first #Ninja Poet.
Kate Trompetter is an Organizational and Systems Coach working primarily with local nonprofits and government organizations to address stuckness and increase their impact. In life outside her consulting practice, Kate is the co-producer of Mod Shop, and co-founder of Modesto Porchfest, Glorious Modesto, and Modesto Breakfast Club: events and groups aimed at amplifying the creative cool in her community. She also has a husband and 3 kids that amplify her creative cool: Dave, Zyan, Seth, and the Mighty Quinn. Being a Modestan thrills Kate and she's delighted to commit much of her life to giving back to the community that raised her.
We are expecting a crowd for this event. Please check back as we determine and announce the location.
AFP membership not required! Come have lunch with us and see what we’re all about!
Register below using PayPal or send an email to afpyosemite@gmail.com by Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Skewers
821 L Street, Modesto
(Parking on street or in city lot)
AFP Members: $15.00; Non-Members: $20.00 Lunch is included. Register today!
Reservation/Refund Policy
- If you register for the meeting and pay in advance via Paypal and are unable to attend, you will NOT receive a refund for your payment.
- If you register in advance without paying and are unable to attend, you will be billed for lunch via PayPal invoice, due and payable on receipt.
- If you register and pay in advance but inform us of your inability to attend before the RSVP deadline we will refund your payment. Under the same circumstances if you don’t pay but let us know before the deadline, you will not receive an invoice.
- We will not carry over your payment to the following month’s meeting.
- You may designate another to attend in your place in order to retain the value of your registration. In the case where a non-member substitute is designated, that person must pay the balance of $5.00 to attend.
- Walk-ins, please note: Preregistered attendees will be given priority for lunch. If you don't register in advance, we are unable guarantee adequate food for everyone. You will be charged to attend.