Organizer Phases

While all Orgs undoubtedly encounter similar occurrences (i.e. being nervous for the very first Meetup, trying to get more members, etc), their individual experiences will differ. So how do you describe something both common and unique? I believe first-hand accounts from current Organizers best illustrate the Organizer adventure. So I went to the Org forum and asked our brilliant, ever-helpful Organizers to describe their Meetup Organizer experiences. Heather and Molly, two super swell Orgs, chimed in right away. And their descriptions really flesh out what it's like to be an Org. If you've any interest in leading Meetup groups, then you must read their words: Click here to read Heather's thoughts! Click here to read Molly's thoughts!

Heather -

"I started my group October of 2004. Had no idea what I was doing, just made the decision and went with it. My reasons for starting Active Moms Playgroup: a new stay at home mom, new to the area so I didn't know anyone.

I basically started the group and somehow the ladies found it! We started off small, with about 5 or 6 of us. The hardest part was figuring out what everyone needed/wanted out of the group. I did poll after poll trying to find out when to meet, how often, what types of venues, what time of day, etc, etc. It took months. The holidays put us on hold, but we finally found a rhythm. Soon we had new members joining. I started finding new venues and kid friendly activities. All the while posting those polls.

It would get discouraging here and there. It's hard to please everyone, but I do my best! The longer my group was around, there would be new realizations -- privacy and security, finding out that I needed to impliment a set of Guidelines, keeping the group fun and interesting! My group is run in a very diplomatic way! I think it keeps it respectful and everyone feels they are part"owner" of the group! Because without them, there is no group!

Also, as an organizer you have to come to understand that YOU have to keep the peace. YOU have to always do whatever is in the best interest of your group. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy and make decisions. If you don't, your group will suffer as a result!

Lastly, always remember that what you are doing is a WONDERFUL, REWARDING thing! Stick in there and ask someone if you need help! Everyone at Meetup wants you to succeed! You group will be important and even a God Send to someone!!!!"

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Pretty cool, right? Molly breaks it down ever further:

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Molly -

"Stage 1- This is gonna be sooo cool!

Spending way too much time on Meetup.com creating your About page, Welcome message, and posting witty comments on your message board to inspire conversation.

Stage 2- I need more members!

Posting everywhere you can think of to advertise your new Meetup group. Starting groups on other sites (ie Yahoo Groups) to advertise your Meetup group, posting flyers all over town.

Stage 3- OMG! What have I done!

Realization kicks in that you really dont have much (any!) experience with this sort of thing, fear that your newly recruited members will think your group sucks and you have no idea what you're doing.

Stage 4- Ok I CAN do this!

Your first Meetup went way better than you expected! Uplifted by your newly found talent for organizing, you decide to find even MORE members to partake of the wonder and fun that is your Meetup group.

Stage 5- Too much, too soon!

The polar opposite of "Too little, too late!" Your recent cockiness regarding your organizing skills has resulted in an onslaught of new members. Way cool, but also way stressful! How are you supposed to chat with each new member individually and make them feel welcome and important?

Stage 6- Ok, I think I'm getting the hang of this...

You have managed to get some face time with (most of!) your new members and find out what makes them tick and why they joined. You might have an Assistant Organizer or two ( or a few if you're lucky!) to help ease the leg, phone and keyboard work of running your group.

Stage 7- We totally ROCK!

Your members are so smitten with their newfound friends that they lavish you with compliments about how much they love the Meetup group, how wonderful everyone is, how great YOU are as an organizer!

Stage 8- Big Trouble in Little Meetuptown

You thought everything was going swimmingly, and them BAM! You get a flaky member who makes your other members feel uncomfortable. What to do? Do you talk with them, ask them nicely not to come back, or brute force it and kick them out?

Stage 9- Ok, even keel again!

You've got most of your members happy, most of the time. You've stuck an equilibrium between too many and too few activities and it feels like smooth sailing ahead.

Stage 10- Expanding the Empire

Your group is just too good to keep to yourself- you contact your local papers, magazines, and anywhere and everywhere else you can think of to plug your amazing Meetup group.

Stage 11- Help!

It dawns on you, finally- "I can't do all this on my own- I could sure use some help around here!" So you find (or beg!) some members to give you a hand with running the Meetup group. They can help post Meetups, welcome new members, and keep things lively and interesting on your message board.

Stage 12- It's official- We Totally ROCK!

Your group has just been featured in the local and/or national press for all the good you're doing! Your group has arrived and now you have even more validation that you made the right choice in becoming a Meetup Organizer. Aaahhhh... the sweet smell of success. ;)

And now you have proof that all the time, tears, and money you've poured into your Meetup group has been well invested. You have a thriving, amazing group; and all the personal fufuillment of knowing you make a positive difference in someone's life - every day. And not just one someone, but a lot of someones! Where else can you find that soul-warming affirmation?"

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Neat, right? Both acknowledge challenges along the way, but what they attain is more than worth it. Now that you've heard two Orgs describe the Organizer experience, are you ready to join the ranks of the passionate and dedicated people who run Meetup groups? We hope you are. Because every Meetup group brings people together, enriches people's lives, and ultimately makes the world a better place. Sounds good to me!