Meet Up advice please

[elaine]

I've done it. There's been some interest in a Denver Skeptics Meetup, but no one willing to step up and get the ball rolling. So I did it.

I have no experience in organizing anything, so any advice and ideas from the forum members will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Pick a place that serves pizza and beer. Pick a day. Pick a time. Your job is done.

[elaine]

Yeah, I've already picked out the Old C's location :)

I think I should bring some ideas to the table for the first meeting, in case the group would like to do more.

[grayman]

With most organizations I've belonged to, 10% are active, 90% drink beer and complain about the 10%.

[elaine]

I have no doubt alcohol will be a common theme :-).

BTW - Grayman, Old Chicago, Thornton, October 14 at 3:00. If you're in town:-). Weather pending, I'll be at the DZ in the morning.

[blutoski]

I've done it. There's been some interest in a Denver Skeptics Meetup, but no one willing to step up and get the ball rolling. So I did it.

I have no experience in organizing anything, so any advice and ideas from the forum members will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I've used the Meetup.com tool for a Vancouver meetup group. I learned some stuff:

1. make sure the venue is good with the group in question in terms of location and atmosphere. For example, if the food's too expensive, the students will not attend. If it's too noisy (like a bar setting), the older people with hearing aids will not attend. If it's too remote or if there's no parking, your turnout may be poor. So: central location near public transit, cheap eats/drinks, and not too noisy.

2. the meetup.com tool allows you to invite people to the group - I extended invitations to local magicians groups and philosophy groups and consumer fraud protection groups. This created a better mix, and extends the skeptical message to other groups even if only one or two of their members attend.

3. give at least a week's notice, and pick a theme so people can feel prepared to contribute.

4. Logistics: Make a reservation. Give people your cellphone number and leave it on so stragglers can find the group. Have some visual identifier, like a fluorescent shirt. Use the meetup.com map tool in the invitations or create a link to GoogleMaps so people can find their way with minimum research.

[elaine]

I've used the Meetup.com tool for a Vancouver meetup group. I learned some stuff:

1. make sure the venue is good with the group in question in terms of location and atmosphere. For example, if the food's too expensive, the students will not attend. If it's too noisy (like a bar setting), the older people with hearing aids will not attend. If it's too remote or if there's no parking, your turnout may be poor. So: central location near public transit, cheap eats/drinks, and not too noisy.

2. the meetup.com tool allows you to invite people to the group - I extended invitations to local magicians groups and philosophy groups and consumer fraud protection groups. This created a better mix, and extends the skeptical message to other groups even if only one or two of their members attend.

3. give at least a week's notice, and pick a theme so people can feel prepared to contribute.

4. Logistics: Make a reservation. Give people your cellphone number and leave it on so stragglers can find the group. Have some visual identifier, like a fluorescent shirt. Use the meetup.com map tool in the invitations or create a link to GoogleMaps so people can find their way with minimum research.

Thank you so much!