LookAtThisPOst Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 It looks like Meetup is overhauling their policies and a lot of organizers aren't happy as they are receiving emails from HQ about renaming their groups to a non-Singles themed groups as there's no "specificity" to these groups according to Meetup. Think this is a bad idea? A lot do. Link to post Share on other sites
central Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 It seems like a bad idea. If they take this step, then they should - or will soon - ban groups that are only for women, or men. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 17, 2016 Author Share Posted August 17, 2016 It seems like a bad idea. If they take this step, then they should - or will soon - ban groups that are only for women, or men. Yeah, also, Meetup will loose a ton of money. Link to post Share on other sites
BluEyeL Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Bad idea. When I was single I opened a singles over 40 meetup in my town because there were none. Now it has 360 members . We are a small town. I think it would be a shame to remove these, it gives a great way to socialize with people with similar lifestyles. I found that single and attached best socialize with each other and have similar issues and concerns . Not that I didn't have married friends when I was single but I felt the need to discuss dating , how to manage life by yourself, how to have fun etc. Link to post Share on other sites
LurkerXX Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 I wonder if it is something liability related. I appreciate groups where they state, in no uncertain terms, that they are NOT a singles group, for just going out and meeting people with no pressure, as I have moved into a new area just a year ago. However, it is also nice to have the singles groups for when I do feel like dating again. Link to post Share on other sites
Shining One Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 I wonder if it is something liability related.This was my thought as well. This might be a "lesser of two evils" situation for them. Link to post Share on other sites
GravityMan Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 I heard about this change a few months ago. And yes I suspect that the change is liability or "CYA" or "risk mitigation" related. Meetup has their "on the record" reasons for the changes...but I get the impression that there may be darker underlying reasons that they want to keep quiet about. See these threads: Discuss Meetup.com Forums - Why they're closing certain singles groups Discuss Meetup.com Forums - Meetup closing Speed Dating and General Social Groups Keep in mind that Meetup is not intended to be a dating service. Link to post Share on other sites
GemmaUK Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 I've been to a few meet up events - and some singles ones. Honestly, singles events are the worst. I'm not there to get pressurised. It's not fun at all. Normal events are so much better. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 This was my thought as well. This might be a "lesser of two evils" situation for them. Actually, it isn't liability related, but they are trying to stay away from generalized events. Like you can't do an outdoor activity at one event, then have a movie night at another event. They want specific groups that cater to specific niche' activities now. Like an outdoors group for only outdoors related events. Of course, someone could start a "Singles Outdoors of <name of city>" to keep it within policy. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 (edited) I've been to a few meet up events - and some singles ones. Honestly, singles events are the worst. I'm not there to get pressurized. It's not fun at all. Hm, never been to singles groups where there was any pressure. They all aren't like that. "Singles" does not equal "Pressure" It's all in your head. But really, if you think about it, all Meetup groups have mostly singles in them anyway, well...a high percentage...so it really doesn't matter but the label. And plus, singles can relate to each other. when I was single but I felt the need to discuss dating Right, you can't really do that with the marrieds. lol Here's another forum among organizers discussing how much P.O.'ed some people really are about it https://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-55988.html Edited August 18, 2016 by LookAtThisPOst Link to post Share on other sites
Imajerk17 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 (edited) I actually agree with GammaUK. (And unless you were there with her, I'm not positive that you can say to her for sure that the pressure she felt was merely "all in your head".) The idea of a Meetup where people openly go to sniff each other out as mating partners--without even being able to pretend that they're there for something else--doesn't sound fun to me either. If most of the people in a Meetup are already single (as you mentioned that they are), then what is the issue again? You make eye contact and make conversation, and if there is mutual chemistry between you and the other person, you get together with her. The title of the Meetup group hardly makes a difference. Edited August 18, 2016 by Imajerk17 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 I actually agree with GammaUK. (And unless you were there with her, I'm not positive that you can say to her for sure that the pressure she felt was merely "all in your head".) If most of the people in a Meetup are already single (as you mentioned that they are), then what is the issue again? You make eye contact and make conversation, and if there is mutual chemistry between you and the other person, you get together with her. The title of the Meetup group hardly makes a difference. The thing is though, I've seen the same members on "Singles" labeled events and "non-Singles" related events. I knew of single people in general Meetups without the singles name to it, like hiking groups, where people were pretty obvious trying to get to know them on a romantic interest level. The only ones they left alone were the couples. lol The idea of a Meetup where people openly go to sniff each other out as mating partners--without even being able to pretend that they're there for something else--doesn't sound fun to me either. Hey, at least they are transparent! ;-) I'd prefer not pretending, who would want to, right? lol This is quite presumptuous as you don't know what goes on at these events. Have you even experienced being in any kind of singles group? Link to post Share on other sites
Aniela Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Hm, never been to singles groups where there was any pressure. They all aren't like that. "Singles" does not equal "Pressure" It's all in your head. But really, if you think about it, all Meetup groups have mostly singles in them anyway, well...a high percentage...so it really doesn't matter but the label. And plus, singles can relate to each other. Right, you can't really do that with the marrieds. lol Here's another forum among organizers discussing how much P.O.'ed some people really are about it https://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-55988.html If people like those at the Roosh forum are organizing some of them, then I'm not surprised they're shutting them down. RooshV = trouble. I would also avoid anything that sounds like it's specifically set up as a "singles" party, but I've never been one for that sort of thing. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 In fact, on organizer in Miami had a testimony of having had some marriages to occur from his long time singles group. Because of Meetup's policy change, he's had to end his 2.5 year run with numerous members going to bit heaven. Link to post Share on other sites
Aniela Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 In fact, on organizer in Miami had a testimony of having had some marriages to occur from his long time singles group. Because of Meetup's policy change, he's had to end his 2.5 year run with numerous members going to bit heaven. LS has had a few marriages occur, as well. People can meet anywhere. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 In fact, he sent a letter to Meetup complaining about how sadden he is by his Meetup ending. Referencing page 5 of the thread... Discuss Meetup.com Forums - Meetup closing Speed Dating and General Social Groups I am aware of the changes that Meetup is experiencing. I have myself lost several meetup groups. I feel that your belief that dating events do not foster a sense of community is not accurate. Wednesday I am driving 2 hours to attend a wedding for two people that met at one of my "dating" events. This is the third wedding I have been asked to be an active participant in - not just a guest - because the couple would never have met without attending one of my meetup singles events. I have one couple that called me exactly one year after their speed dating event to tell me they just got engaged. They now call me very year to update me on their relationship. They just bought their first house. A couple that met in November at a Lock and Key Party were married in January...and just announced they are expecting a baby. So how is dating, marriage, a home and family not creating a sense of community? What exactly is Meetup's idea of community? It must be different than mine. I meet people every day who tell me what a change my events have made in their life. Your new policies will no longer make it possible for this to happen. Your generalization that all dating events are somehow "bad" is flawed. Rather than reaching out to each Organizer individually and looking at each group on a group-by-group basis you are systematically closing all groups instead of checking the validity of the group itself and its contribution to its community. I am not sure what the reason behind the sudden change in policy is. There has been online speculation that it is a response to bad publicity from a few bad groups. To lump all singles groups and events into the same category is seriously wrong. If I am single and want to enjoy events with other singles but have no hobbies or lifestyle choices such as hiking or a vegetarian diet than am I excluded from having the chance to socialize with other singles and possibly meeting someone special. Meetup members are adults who can make their own choices. My events are transparent. If someone doesn't want to attend a singles or dating event they do not have to join the group and RSVP. The fact that my groups continued to grow and people RSVP'd and attended the events meant that they were valued by our members. Will you really allow the possible complaints of a few unhappy members to override the wishes of the majority? I have always been Meetup's biggest fan and have suggested it to everyone. I am thoroughly disappointed in the face that after taking my money for almost 10 years and after hosting hundreds of events you have decided that my worth in my community is negligible...without actually checking with my community. Shame on you Meetup for losing sight of what made you so special. I am sharing this with the online community. I am sure many will agree with me on this and help spread the word. Giving back a few groups will not fix this. You need to reconsider the policy changes and be a company that cares about the entire community - including singles. Link to post Share on other sites
Aniela Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Wait, they made this decision three months ago, and you're only just talking about it? How did you find out about this? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 Wait, they made this decision three months ago, and you're only just talking about it? How did you find out about this? How is this even relevant? Better late than never. Link to post Share on other sites
shoplocal Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 FWIW, in my neck of the woods most people I meet in any context -- Meetup, volunteering, work, etc -- are in relationships. So it's nice to have singles only events for those looking to meet and date people IRL. Link to post Share on other sites
Aniela Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 How is this even relevant? Better late than never. It seems like people involved, would have moved on by now. I followed one of the links, and was surprised to find posts from May. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 It seems like people involved, would have moved on by now. I followed one of the links, and was surprised to find posts from May. Oh okay, but still...there are singles sites that are up now currently and there were some complaints on how organizers sites were shut down...and others still remain up currently. I've even seen some open up very recently and this means they'll get the axe eventually. One organizer is so torqued off about it that he/she is reporting any singles Meetups that open in his area. I guess they figure, "If I can't have a singles Meetup neither can you." lol So it's an ongoing process. Link to post Share on other sites
GemmaUK Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Hm, never been to singles groups where there was any pressure. They all aren't like that. "Singles" does not equal "Pressure" It's all in your head. But really, if you think about it, all Meetup groups have mostly singles in them anyway, well...a high percentage...so it really doesn't matter but the label. And plus, singles can relate to each other. Right, you can't really do that with the marrieds. lol Here's another forum among organizers discussing how much P.O.'ed some people really are about it https://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-55988.html All in my head? Why are you making assumptions about me - just like you do with any woman and any online profile - any real life meet with a woman.... Interesting. Sorry my lovely but you continue to and have always displayed so very much of many of the reasons why women quit online and IRL. I'm really confused as to why you didn't bring this subject up in May when it came out - you are the meet up expert around here - do you not attend as much as you say? I am in a non specific to dating group (not on Meetup) and it's a blast! Maybe you should find something similar to take your focus off dating entirely/ You seem to have been OLD or personal ads etc for about 20 years or so going by another thread- that is gonna get in your head - badly. Just quit and have a life - you will be happier - I would love to see it from you!! x 3 Link to post Share on other sites
thecrucible Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 I'm with Gemma. From my own perspective, as an introvert, I find specific singles events just a bit too high pressure. I like to take my time to get to know someone and for it to feel natural and not forced; and sometimes these events pile on pressure. I mean I don't feel pressured by them, it's just the fear of desperate attention from the opposite sex or people treating them as a way to hook up. I'd much rather go to something more laid back. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 21, 2016 Author Share Posted August 21, 2016 I'm with Gemma. From my own perspective, as an introvert, I find specific singles events just a bit too high pressure. I like to take my time to get to know someone and for it to feel natural and not forced; and sometimes these events pile on pressure. I mean I don't feel pressured by them, it's just the fear of desperate attention from the opposite sex or people treating them as a way to hook up. I'd much rather go to something more laid back. What if the organizer emphasizes it as "A no pressure group!" Then would it be assuring enough to be as such? Link to post Share on other sites
Author LookAtThisPOst Posted August 21, 2016 Author Share Posted August 21, 2016 LS has had a few marriages occur, as well. People can meet anywhere. Wait a minute, people have met on these message boards and got married? Link to post Share on other sites
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