How to Find a Good MeetUp.com Group
Social Networking in Person to Make Friends or Explore Interests
Jul 26, 2009 Sapna Nayyar-Pellicane
In our current fast-paced and impersonal society in which many people do not know or trust their neighbors, and in which families and old friends are often scattered geographically, people need to reach out to the new and unfamiliar in order to form close day-to-day bonds. Doing so is only an Internet click away but does not have to end with the Internet. People can therefore join suitable local groups any time in order to create social networks and thus strengthen their connections to their communities. This article will explain how this can be done.
What is Social Networking?
"Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will," says a July 2009 article, What is Social Networking? on the website, WhatIsSocialNetworking.com.
"Although social networking is possible in person, especially in universities, high schools, or in the workplace, it is most popular online." While social networking includes professional interests, this article will focus exclusively on personal interests.
MeetUp Begins Online and Concludes Offline
"MeetUp is the world's largest network of local groups," says the 2009 introduction to the organization on its website, MeetUp.com. "MeetUp makes it easy for anyone to organize a local group or find one of the thousands already meeting up face-to-face."
Founded in 2002, the mission of the group is to "revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize." The MeetUp.com manifesto believes in using the Internet to get people off the Internet and bring back "the hand shake. The verbal debate. The smile. You know, some good ol' face-to-face, eye-to-eye contact."
MeetUp.com has many local groups for everyone all over the world, from purely social groups to groups based on hobbies and other special interests.
Joining the Right MeetUp Group
Joining a MeetUp group in or near one's city is a good way to get out of a daily rut, meet new people, and possibly learn something new. Membership to most of these groups is free but members do pay for their own food and drink at events.
The right MeetUp group varies from one person to another, and depends on what the individual is looking for. If the individual is new to a city and is looking to make local friends, purely social groups are his or her best bet. These groups organize various social events.
If a member has a specific interest, such as a particular sport, language, or cause, he or she can join local groups pertaining to that specific interest. Such groups are more focused in their scope and therefore organize events that pertain only to that particular interest. Some potential members like to join a mix of the purely social and the specific-interest-related. Individuals can always start a MeetUp group of their own if their area of interest is not available locally, or they can place themselves on an online waiting list and receive relevant notifications.
Freedom to Pick and Choose MeetUp Participation
Members are free to pick and choose what events they attend, as it is not possible to attend every event. They should promptly RSVP to the event, and should change their RSVP immediately if they change their mind. They should contact the organizer if they are running late or are lost. They should approach each event with a positive attitude. They should take a genuine interest in the other members and always thank the organizer at the end of the event.
One is free to attend another event if he/she liked the group and the event, and one is even free to leave a group if the individual did not "click" with its members. However, it sometimes takes attendance at more than one event to determine if the group is the right fit. Each organizer has a different personality, so no two groups are alike even if they deal with the same interest area or demographic.
Most MeetUp.com groups deal with single young professionals in their 20s to 40s while some deal with young professionals of this age range at any life stage, and some deal with a broader age range and life stage. Individuals should therefore take into consideration their life stage, age, personality, motives, and interests before joining a particular group or attending an event. For example, a married or partnered person would not be comfortable participating in a group or activity geared towards actively searching singles.
Being a Good Participant
Active participation on the MeetUp.com website of the local group also helps, such as providing the organizer with timely feedback about the event they just attended, coming up with suggestions for future activities, and offering other relevant suggestions on the message boards.
Individuals can also post greetings for members whom they've met and enjoyed chatting with. They can even add friends. Having a good and enriching time is the main objective. Individuals may come away with close friendships that go beyond the scope of the activities, and may even learn something new.
Social networking is a current trend that begins online but can definitely be taken offline through groups such as MeetUp.com, which brings open-minded individuals together.
MeetUp.com groups bring many people together
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