Just create your verbs list like this in your class:

 class MyApplet:
   def __init__(self,applet):
     verbs = [ ( "Properies", self.properties), ("About",self.about) ]
     applet.setup_menu("xml here",verbs,None)
   def properties(self):
     pass # and display properties
   def about(self):
     pass # and display about box.

When called, 'self' will be set properly.