2025 CNPS-SLO Annual Potluck Banquet

Join us for the Chapter Banquet on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Rancho El Chorro Outdoor Campus Auditorium at 450 Pennington Creek Road in San Luis Obispo:

Social Hour – 4:30 pm

Buffet Style Potluck Dinner – 5:30 pm

Chapter Business/Awards – 6:30 pm

Program – 7:00 pm

This is a Chapter sponsored event, free to members and guests, please bring a potluck item to share. Reservations are limited to 65 guests.Tickets are FREE – In lieu of a fee, the Chapter Board of Directors is encouraging DONATIONS to the Malcolm McLeod Scholarship Fund. You may reserve your spot by clicking the Tickets button below. Remember to click the + or – buttons to indicate the number of tickets you want to reserve for your party. If you must cancel, please let us know so we can free up space for others.

MALCOM MCLEOD SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER

The Malcom McLeod Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students at academic institutions within our chapter including California Polytechnic State University, Cuesta College, and Allan Hancock College. Dr. Malcolm McLeod was a professor of botany in the Biology Department at California Polytechnic State University and an active member of the CNPS San Luis Obispo Chapter. He was one of the earliest supporters of our Chapter’s efforts to encourage student research on native plants. The purpose of the Malcolm McLeod Scholarship is to encourage the study of botany and related fields by providing financial assistance to students who wish to pursue these academic endeavors. We are working to increase the available funding for this scholarship so we may continue to honor and support Dr. McLeod’s legacy. Thank you for your contribution.

In lieu of a fee, we are REQUESTING DONATIONS to the chapter’s Malcolm McLeod Scholarship Fund.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE or bring your donations to the banquet.

SILENT AUCTION

In support of the Malcolm McLeod Scholarship, the 2025 banquet will include a silent auction of items created/donated by our Chapter members or members of our local community. This includes authors, artists, craftspeople, a local brewery, a local winery, and others.

PROGRAM

Instead of the traditional speaker format, this year we are going to have a fun, interactive botanical trivia program led by our Vice-President Jacqueline Rose.

POTLUCK DETAILS

For the dinner potluck, bring the suggested item and serving utensils in the category that matches the first letter of your last name. If you have a dish you especially want to share, please feel free to bring it or contact Lauren (805-570-7993, brownlm4560@gmail.com) for alternative suggestions. Please label your serving items with your name so they can be returned to you.

A to H–main dish, meat or vegetarian
I to Q–salad (with dressing) or side dish
R to Z–dessert

CNPS will provide beer, wine, coffee, tea, and assorted beverages. Plates, glasses, cups, and napkins will be available or bring your own dishes and utensils to reduce waste.

DIRECTIONS to Rancho El Chorro Conference Center at 450 Pennington Creek Road, San Luis Obispo:

On Highway 1 at the western-most stop light for Cuesta College, turn North (opposite the college) onto Education Drive. Follow Education Drive around the SLO County Office of Education buildings onto Watson Drive for 3/10 mile. Make a slight right turn onto Pennington Creek Road. Drive 4/10 mile, passing Loma Vista School. At the red wall, turn right into Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School and Conference Center. Continue down the driveway to the parking area and find a spot to park. The building in front of these parking spots is the Conference Center Auditorium. Walk to the end of the parking lot, towards the handicapped parking area. Walk to the left, around to the front of the building, to the check-in table. See also map link below.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteer help on the day of the event is greatly appreciated. We need volunteers to arrive at 4:00 pm to set up before the 4:30 Social Hour. If you can help with break down/clean up, plan on staying about 30 minutes after the event ends at 8:30 pm.