The Meetup Messenger, Issue #1 - You're Crazy to Organize a Meetup!

You're Crazy to Organize a Meetup

by Scott Heiferman (CEO of Meetup; Organizer of NY Tech Meetup)

Welcome to the first issue of The Meetup Messenger! Here, we'll share ideas and stories from across the Meetup universe.

Recently, I met some Meetup Organizers in Houston. One said she emails her phone number to new members. I said, "You give your phone number to complete strangers on the internet?! That's crazy!"

She lit up and declared she was proud to be crazy because that's what it takes to create community. The others got fired up by that passion, and I called them all a little crazy. They loved it.

It's crazy to believe you can create community that makes a difference. It's not easy. It's not required of you. People are fine without community, right?

It's crazy to use the internet to get people off the internet. Isn't it easier to stay behind your computer, TV, iPod and avoid contact with real people? Real life is messy.

You're crazy enough to know that people are good, that we spend too much time in front of screens, and that you shouldn't give up.

You make Meetups because people need the support, help, connections, advice, and good feeling that comes from the community YOU create.

You're crazy to organize a Meetup, and I'm so damn proud there are now over 10,000 of us!

-- Scott

PS: "Here's to the crazy ones..." Check out this great Apple commercial.

PPS: Stop by The Organizer's Forum and share why you're a little crazy.