Sarah Palin will be speaking tonight to "community leaders" at the Vancouver Club, an event arranged by an exclusive book club. Meet the Bon Mot Club, where members meet to ponder policy issues over gourmet food in a small dining room, rich with history. It's invitation only.
Tonight's event with Palin is perhaps surprisingly sponsored by The Globe and Mail, along with Canacord Financial and Corix. Attendees are invited to meet Palin in person and judge her for themselves. They will have the chance to ruminate over whether she's a "wide-eyed Pollyana unprepared for national leadership" or truly a big player in U.S. politics, and perhaps a future presidential contender to take President Obama down.
Leah Costello issues the invitations on the Bon Mot Club About page. Costello is also listed on the Fraser Institute's site as "Director of Special Projects." She narrates the Fraser Institute's video on why their report card system benefits B.C. schools.
"Think of this as a TED conference or IdeaCity, but just down the street with your own friends, colleagues, and clients," Costello writes. "The speakers have been chosen for their insights into the headline-making issues and pressing problems of our day---covering topics on business and the economy, politics, science and innovation, religion and spirituality, world affairs, culture and much more...."
"Each of the six events in the series is limited to a much smaller audience than you would usually expect with such high-profile speakers. Membership to this unique book club is by invitation or personal referral only and is limited to only 18 tables per dinner. Guests include top-level community leaders from across a diverse range of industry, academia, government, media and arts and cultural organizations."
Costello writes that the dinners will be held in the "elegant and historic Vancouver Club ballroom--enhanced with chef-inspired menus and fine cellared wines."
There are only 18 tables. VIP Full Series Tickets sell for $8000 but invitees can buy an individual event ticket for $500.
"I hope to see you there," Costello says, signing her name at the end of a note whose subtext reads that "you" may not be...well, you.
Leah Costello of the Bon Mot Club and the Fraser Institute