The Official Meetup HQ Blog

In the News: Club E Entreprenuers in Tempe!

by Angela

Have dreams of starting your own business?  So did Meetup member, Gabriela Cojanu, after a life changing event -- being laid off from her job. 

She found encouragement, inspiration and tons of helpful advice from her local Club E (Entrepreneurs Meetup) in Tempe, Arizona. 

Founded by Meetup Organizer Peter J. Burns, Club E and its 3000+ membership connects established investors with future business owners.

"The main goal is to bring people together," said Burns, "We practice open source entrepreneurship - which is nothing more than the free exchange of ideas, relationships, access to money, access to technology," he added.  "Some may have it.  Some may need it, and we bring them all together here at Club E," he said.

Check out his interview with Channel 15, the local ABC news affiliate. 

Way to go, Peter!

Angela is on Meetup's Community team.

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Global Traders -- a comprehensive list

by Angela

Don't know what to do with the pink bunny costume Aunt Kathy made for you last Christmas?

Just can't part with the thirteen spools of purple lanyard in the hall closet?

Have a drawer full of gift cards you know you won't use before they expire?

Don't fret, don't waste; trade them up and share the wealth!

Arizona Central provides a comprehensive list for your swapping convenience! And who did they include in their list? Meetup, of course.

The Toys 4 Toyz & Clothes 4 Clothez Swap Meetup and Swap Phoenix- A Clothing Swap Meetup Group got special mentions in the article, but your area probably has a swap Meetup Group for you, too.

You can trade clothes, crafts, cellphones and other things you don't need anymore for brand new things you actually do need!

So remember, if you can't use it; yet can't throw it out...you get the idea.

And, while you probably won't find a new world on your quest for spices in India, you might discover the house-swap of your dreams!

Angela is keeping it green on Meetup's Community Support team.

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Scott's Chicago Sun-Times Interview

by Angela

Meetup promotes face-to-face networking with little cost or formality

November 10, 2008

BY BRAD SPIRRISON

The Internet is all about DIY [doing it yourself]," explained the 36-year-old Heiferman. "In the not-too-distant future, professional organizations will look a lot different and a lot more like the Internet. It's about peer-to-peer networking and building from the ground up.

Thanks to Jeff Willinger of the Chicago IT Professionals Meetup Group for his contributions to the article too!

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Meetups in the Media

by Angela

Congrats to Meetups around the world featured in the news this week!

The Washingtonian

From The Washingtonian: An Interview with Danielle Buckley, Organizer for the The DC/Metro Cupcake Group and her delectable blog.  Yum!

The Las Vegas Sun

From The Las Vegas Sun:  Romance writing, in the name of The Cactus Rose Group:

"Writing is like a calling," Haag said. "To be able to talk with and belong to a group of  people who are similarly motivated is worth its weight in gold."

Korea Times

From The Korea Times, "Explore Diverse Eating Options in Seoul", featuring The Seoul Dining Out Group: 

 "Our meet-ups help us feel a sense of community among our fellow expatriates, Koreans, and people from other countries,''  William said.

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Meetups in the Media

by Angela

We know that good things happen when people get together.  We call that POSOG, or the  "power of self-organized groups".  That's how political parties get together, teams form, and neighborhoods are built.

Here's a snapshot of what's been happening around the world on Meetup this week:

From the Southampton Press:

Fund-raiser being held twins whose parents died in plane crash

"When Donna and Robert Gregory, both of Flanders, died in a plane crash  early August in a suburb of Boston, Massa chusettes, they left behind four-year-old twins, Amanda and Bobby Gregory.  To support the twins, The RIverhead Mothers Club -- an organization in which Mrs. Gregory participated with her children-- is planning a fund-raiser."

on a lighter note:

From Citizen Matters, Bangalore India:

Discuss and Act  -  "A Koramangala group where members discuss their aspirations, goals, doubts etc. about any topic that concerns them."  "The atmosphere is non-critical and harmonious. Every member takes away something of value each time. The member himself can set up a small goal to achieve in one week, if desired."

From the New York Daily News:

People find people they want to see again and again

Latvian Ella started The Bad Egg Collective to connect people who share an interest in 'quirky stuff'.

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Wendy - Meetup Organizer of the Week - September 17, 2008

by Angela

This week we're out on the 'Island', Long Island (NY) that is. We had the opportunity to pick the brain of one of our "Super-Organizers". Not only does she organize a successful Moms Meetup, but she runs (with the help of a cadre of Assistant Organizers) a special Moms Group Organizers and members Meetup with thousands of members world-wide.

Incredible, isn't it? Read on and learn about the tried and true tales and tips from the Meetup trenches. 

Mark Brewster - Meetup Organizer of the Week - September 10

by Angela

Who knew? Just about anyone that has had the opportunity to be at the National Mall in DC on any given Saturday afternoon, that's who! 

This group has gained popularity so much so, the Washington Post touts their events as one of the top 'free things to do' while visiting in our Nation's capitol.  Watching them, that is...unless your into this sort of thing, which by all accounts takes a fair amount of chutzpah...but don't be shy, all are welcome!

Its my pleasure to introduce you to our Meetup Organizer of the Week, Mark Brewster and the awesome, The Washington Ultimate Frisbee Meetup Group.

Thanks, Mark!

"Its still a thrill knowing I'm helping to enable fun."

    -- Mark Brewster

Watching your events on the Mall is listed as a great "free thing to do" while in Washington D.C. To what do you owe the success and longevity of your Meetup?

DC has a fairly high turnover of people. However, with word-of-mouth, a large Ultimate Frisbee following, higher position on the web search engines, regular games, and even people just walking by, a good stream of new players keep joining us to replace those that leave. I've asked some of the great enthusiasts to become Assistant Organizers, and they've helped me with running the game. Just in 2008, the AO's have started some other games that they organize. This has made our group a multi-event a week Meetup group.

Please explain what the difference is between just tossing around a Frisbee and playing Ultimate Frisbee.

The aim of UF, like US Football is to get the disc in the opponent's end zone. Players cannot run with the Frisbee Therefore, one needs to run to another position to catch the Frisbee. This is highly aerobic. Tossing the Frisbee usually doesn't involve much running.

I love the easy-going style of your group of 742 Frisbee players, yet we know organizing a Meetup can sometimes be hard work. What keeps you motivated to continue after all these years?

Mostly the players. We have players in DC who grew up all over the country and the world. We have a wide diversity of NGOs, political organizations, government, private firms, and students.

The setting is something to behold. I sometimes sit back and take note of the Capitol, Washington Monument, and Smithsonian. It's truly unique.

Do you have a special Meetup Moment or story to share with us?

It was fun when I first started, but we only had a few people in the fall of 2005. Reaching the double digits was a good turn-out. In the winter, fewer people were interested, and a few of our regulars moved out of town. In the Spring, I was wondering if it was worth it to keep going.

In May of 2006, a number of players found us and started coming out. I thought it might be a fluke for a couple of weeks, but when I realized that we now could get a good turn-out every week made it fun for me and everyone. That felt good.

Walk us through a typical Washington Ultimate Frisbee Meetup event.

There are a lot of other events, rallies, and festivals on the National Mall. Sometimes it takes a while to find field space. Once we get the field we warm up for 10-15 minutes. I set up the field and the game is mostly non-stop. Every point scored players substitute in and out. Players keep coming from 1-2. At 2:30 players start leaving. At 3:30-4 we have a final game where we play to 5 or 7. Sometimes we go out to a restaurant afterward.

Has the experience with your Meetup changed or enhanced your life in any way?

Its like the whole Meetup mission. People spend a lot of time at work and at their computers. When I come out to the beginning of the games, I see the players warming up with smiles on their faces knowing their going to spend a few hours having fun. Its still a thrill knowing I'm helping to enable fun.

Any final words?

I'm probably luckier than most organizers in that I don't have to spend a lot of time thinking about what the agenda should be for the Meetup. Still, if you keep a regular schedule of Meetups you're more likely to get a good group going. It's a good feeling when it comes together.

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Chris Neumann - Meetup Organizer of the Week - September 3, 2008

by Angela

This week, we're in Asheville, North Carolina to check in with an absolutely prolific organizer. According to an article in the Asheville Citizen-Times, he and his group were instrumental in the rescue of a fellow hiker who was reported missing. How incredible is that? Just goes to show the power of groups in action can achieve miraculous things! That's not all. Read on -- his involvement with Meetup has changed his life in many positive ways. He's a great guy and we're so proud of them all, our Meetup Organizer of the Week for September 3, 2008, Chris Neumann and The Asheville Hiking Group.



Recently, your group was involved with the search and ultimate rescue of a missing woman in your area. Please tell us about this exciting event

I received a call from Sue Taylor's father (Sue Taylor is one of the members of my group and went missing for a week) at approximately 11pm on a Friday night. I stayed up all night and I put up a Meetup announcement and e-mailed the entire group, as well as everyone I knew that we would be going out Saturday morning to look for Sue.

The response I got at the search hike was tremendous. We had several members go with me on Saturday and my phone was blowing up all day from people offering to come help look to doing air searches with their private air crafts. When we didn't get anywhere on Saturday morning, we had members go out again Saturday night and Sunday and continued the telephone/email tree forward to recruit more people to help search.

She was found on Sunday afternoon alive and well by the search dogs. It was seeing the community come together to help someone. I was sincerely touched by this and knew that all my time and work has been wisely invested in this group.

You've actually started organizing a new group based on this event -- how is that going?

The new group, Asheville Area Search and Rescue Hikers Group is doing excellent. We have actually been approached by Buncombe County Rescue, a local non-profit County Agency regarding partnership. We are going to receive training, use of their resources, and be able to be contacted through their communication tree in case we are needed. We will work together to not only band together on Search and Rescue missions,but work on a preventive system to revamp our local trails to be a little more novice-hiker friendly.

I've noticed your group's Meetups are not limited to hiking exclusively. How are the additional events decided upon.

We originally started by having our weekly hiking Meetups in bars, and as the group grew and became more family oriented, we switched to more family-friendly restaurants. However, we still like to get out to the bars and do "social hiking" around Asheville after dark.

We also take suggestions from everyone in our group, and we try to accommodate and promote our members endeavors and events. I originally figured that I would want to meet these people before I go out into the middle of the woods with them! Now, it is just fun to have a Meetup at a bar or go to a concert and have so many people with me that basically we just take it over!

Personally, you are actively involved in several varied Meetups. What is it about Meetup communities that keep you coming back for more?

I love meeting new people and getting out to new areas and businesses. It's great to meet new people and share new ideas.

Organizing Meetups can be a lot of hard work. Do you have a favorite Meetup story or moment when you thought to yourself, "yes, this makes it all worthwhile"?

Without a doubt, it would be being in the position to be able to help Sue or others in Sue's position in the future!

Where do you see your involvement with your Meetups headed in the months and years to come?

I absolutely love my group and the direction that it is taking. As the group keeps growing I will keep working to find places for us to meet, things for us to do, and most importantly, places for us to hike!

We've currently brought DIAMOND BRAND and BLACK DOME SPORTS on as sponsors, who are generously offering the group members a 15% discount at their stores. We are working to have a group t-shirt and we are in the final stages of preparing our membership cards (the key to getting the discounts at Black Dome and Diamond Brand). ROBERT J. DEUTSCH, P.A., has also come on-board as one of our sponsors (no discount on legal fees, though! ;) )

I am confident that with such excellent members and sponsors, and an area as amazing as Western North Carolina, this Meetup group will continue to thrive for many years to come.

Any final words?

I've met my current girlfriend and amassed an amazing circle of friends through this Meetup, and I have also been able to see hiking trails and mountains that I had never seen before in my 26 years in the area. I have also been able to watch my 5 year old son Fox, go from barely being able to hike to being able to endure 4+ mile trails all on his own, while asking for more.

I am so thankful for everyone I've met through the group and what I have been able to see and do as a result of it. All of the success that my group has had would not have been possible without the support and commitment of my members but especially my Assistant Organizers!

Thanks and I'll see you on the trail!

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Alicia Farrow - Meetup Organizer of the Week - August 27, 2008

by Angela

They say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Not necessarily so!  This week we've an inspirational story of hope and helping -- a community of givers led by a wonderful Organizer.

With her cadre of Assistant Organizers, Alicia keeps her calendar chock full of volunteering opportunities. In fact, this weekend the group will be lending a hand at the renowned 43rd annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon  live from Las Vegas!  The telethon takes place August 31 - September 1 - be sure to make your donation to help find a cure for kids with Muscular Dystrophy!

With that, allow me to introduce you to our Meetup Organizer of the Week - Alicia Farrow and A.O.K. Acts of Kindness Meetup!

Thanks, Alicia!

"When I found Meetup, it all came together, help the community and make friends while doing it."

   -- Alicia Farrow

What prompted you to start a volunteerism Meetup?

In Las Vegas, it is very hard to find volunteer opportunities.

There is a lot of 'red tape' to work through with each charitable organization (background screening, fingerprinting, references, etc.). The organizations in this community need so much help, that they don't know where to start and often appear very disorganized.

Because of this, along with the fact that most people that reside in Las Vegas are fairly new to the community, Nevada is ranked 50^th in volunteerism amongst the 50 states.

I found out about Meetup through a friend that was involved in one of the hiking groups at the time. It just seemed to make sense to try to put together a group of dedicated, responsible individuals that were willing to help. This way, individuals that may not know which cause specifically they want to get involved in, they can get a little taste of everything. A sampler platter, if you will, of the needs in Las Vegas.

When I found Meetup, it all just came together; help the community and make friends while doing it. 

How long did it take you to get it off the ground running?

It was a couple months before our first truly successful Meetup. But even after that, we were still just 'floating' along. I would say after 6 months, we could consider ourselves a successful group. To date, we are still growing by leaps and bounds. Who knows where we will be a year from today.

Your calendar provides almost daily opportunities to give back -- how do you find the events and keep up with all you've got going with your group?

At this point, the events seem to find us more than we find them. Each member in the group is just as vital to helping build a calendar like this as our organizers are. A lot of these events and ideas will come from the members of the group and then we (the organizers) will work through the logistics' of setting them up and making them happen.

Also, we (the organizers) all have different schedules. This helps tremendously to provide a varied schedule of events.

As a successful Organizer, what three tips would you suggest to a new or struggling organizer trying to make a go of their group?

-          Assistant organizers are crucial. You just can't do it all. Whenever a group member offers to help with an event or wants to consider becoming an assistant organizer, meet with them and figure out how you two can work together. The old saying 'two heads are better than one' really is true. Assistant organizers can also help to bring in new and fresh ideas to the group.

-          If you have a vision for your group, stick to it and don't give up. Meetup says 'don't get discouraged, some events will go better than others'. This is so true and so important to remember. In the beginning, I remember being frustrated with attendance and lack of motivation after an event. I was completely ready to throw in the towel. Thinking back on that day now, I would have missed an amazing adventure. Just don't give up, good things take time.

-          Use all of the features that Meetup has made available. They really are worth gold. I still go through the organizers checklist before an event. If you are prepared for the event, it reflects down to those that participate. When members feel that they are a part of a structured, organized, event, they will show up again (and if you're lucky, they might even tell their friends).

When was the moment you said to yourself, "Yes, this is all worth it".

December 15^th, 2007. It was our first ever PB&J event (which has now become a 'staple' event of A.O.K). About 15 members met up at a group member's home with tons of loaves of bread, peanut butter, jelly, toiletries, towels, etc. We made sandwiches for about two hours and then headed downtown to pass out what we had compiled to the ever growing homeless population of Las Vegas. It was an incredibly emotional experience. The best part of the day was when I overheard a homeless gentleman asking a group member 'What organization are you guys with?' and the group member simply responded 'We are just a bunch of friends that want to help'.

At that point it really hit me. It made me realize what we were doing was so much bigger than giving the hungry some sandwiches, the experience we were providing to the members or 'friends' was just as valuable.

Do you have a favorite 'Meetup Moment' to share with us?

There is so many that I could think of.

 The most recent would be at our water party for St. Jude's foster ranch for abused and neglected children. We set up slip and slides and water balloons for the kids and it was just a free for all water party. Within ten minutes, we (the members) were all drenched.

At the very end of the party, the kids at the ranch rounded up huge buckets full of water and went after the volunteers. The members were running and screaming like little kids themselves. Everyone was smiling and laughing.

I snuck out of the battle and got to just watch for a moment and let it all sink in. It's hard to not shed some tears during moments like that. They are incredible. 

What are your hopes for the future of A.O.K. - Acts of Kindness?

We have a lot of big plans. Our biggest and most time consuming is trying to achieve 501(c)3 status. We have completed the first step and are working towards the next. It's going to be a long road, but it will be so worth it in the end. We will truly be unstoppable once we achieve that status.

Our short term goal is adopting a family for the fall. We will go in and evaluate how we can help them and then set up numerous events to benefit this chosen family; everything from landscaping help to grocery shopping. I know the impact we will have over the next few months will be huge.

Aside from the above, I just want us to keep making a difference; in the community and to the wonderful members of our group.

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Brian Collins - Meetup Organizer of the Week - August 20, 2008

by Angela

We're down in sunny Orlando Florida this week to chat with a very special Organizer.  Combining both the international nature of his topic with the world-wide reach of the internet, he's made global connections with his group -- here and abroad. 

The open and welcoming sense he offers to his members of all skill levels has played a big part in the success of his group of over 100 active members.  You'll see what I mean --

He's a true leader and great guy.  The Meetup Organizer of the Week, Brian "Doc" Collins and The Orlando Martial Arts Meetup F.I.S.T.

Thanks, Brian!

Please tell us your philosophy behind F.I.S.T .

The acronym F.I.S.T. stands for "Florida Integrated Style Training" and I think that's a pretty good description.  I wanted to form a group that allowed for the sharing of different techniques. You don't really get that when you join a specific school and I find that most martial artists enjoy that cross-pollination-It's fun and makes you a more rounded fighter.  This Meetup group is designed for men or women of ALL skill levels and is intended to be an open forum for sharing new skills with each other.  

Walk us through a typical Martial Arts Meetup.

Part of the fun of our training group is that there isn't a typical Meetup!  Each week we train in a different technique or fighting style, so each session is different.  Normally we'll have a guest instructor who is an expert in whatever technique or fighting style we're doing and they lead us through the training.  We've done everything--from various styles of Kung Fu, to Yoga, Silat, Muay Thai, Weapons Techniques and more.  It's kind of like our own version of Human Weapon!  LOL! 

You've got a seminar coming up soon to which you've invited another Martial Artist from the UK--Please tell us about this great event! 

This is a great example of how a good Assistant Organizer can be a real benefit to a group.  In this case, mine (gotta give props to Bill Clark!) knew of a martial artist in England--Total Body Defence Goshinkwai's founder and chief Instructor Alun Williams.  Alun was planning a trip to the US and bill arranged for him to do his first TBD seminar in the States at our Meetup.  Very cool!   

One of the great things about martial arts is its global reach.  People who train love to share new techniques and what we do in Orlando is very unique.  By offering different styles and techniques each week, it makes for a natural platform for instructors to be able to do that.  When you combine that with the global nature of the Internet, it's no surprise that people stumble upon the Meetup web site and our group from around the world.   Because of this, we've had other International visitors and guest trainers as well.  One group that's actually been a repeat visitor for us is a group of martial artists from Ireland who train in a very hard style of Kung Fu called Ming Chu'an.  We've become quite friendly with them, even though we know these guys are going to give us a heck of a workout whenever they show up!  One of the first seminars they did for us was on breaking techniques.  I had never really done any serious breaking before, but by the end of the night, I managed to break through a stack of three concrete slabs.  Now that was fun! 

On the flip side, I also promote my Meetup group when I travel too.  This past summer, I went to Israel with my family and took my middle son (who studies Tae Kwon Do) and got to train with a top Krav Maga instructor over there.  I got one of his t-shirts, and gave him one of our Orlando Martial Arts Meetup t-shirts with the F.I.S.T. logo.  Kind of neat to know that one of those is half way around the world! 

How did you find out about Meetup?

Originally, I stumbled upon it looking for some business networking opportunities.  I joined a Meetup group for entrepreneurs, then a couple social groups too.  I went looking for a martial arts Meetup group and was shocked to learn that Orlando didn't have one--so I started it myself! 

How has your involvement with your Meetup group changed or enhanced your life?

Aside from giving me a chance to meet some very cool people; the Martial Arts group has been a terrific way to stay in shape.  I'm in my mid 40's, so it's great to still be able to get out there and compete at the level I do with martial artists that are half my age.  It also gives me a chance to get out and train with my kids who enjoy the activity as well.  (Of course, right now, since they're younger, I can still toss them around on the mats--but as they get older and bigger, that probably means I'll have to be REALLY nice to them...) 

What's on the horizon for Orlando's Martial Arts Meetup?

I want to keep offering a diverse portfolio of events, and not just in terms of the variety of techniques and styles offered, but in the nature of the events themselves.  For instance, we just had an MMA workshop featuring two pro fighters from the Cage Warriors fighting circuit.  In a couple weeks, I have a weekend get-together scheduled at a local sports bar to watch an upcoming UFC fight.   I've also put out feelers to see if there is interest in putting together an Orlando Martial Arts Meetup Cruise that would include a training session at a top dojo in Nassau, Bahamas. 

I'd also like to generate more sponsors and community awareness to help raise our visibility as a leading martial arts organization.  We have over 100 members now and keep growing, and that's without doing a lot of marketing and promotions, so I know the interest is there.  It's just tough for me and Bill to keep on top of it and grow it to the full potential we know this group has!  

Any final words?

Yeah--drop and give me twenty!

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