Susan Flowers is Meetup's Organizer of the Week, July 30 - August 5, 2007!

Greetings!

We're back on the East Coast checking in with a very innovative Organizer in North Carolina.

She's taken a popular topic and has enhanced its focus by adding elements of community service projects and using alternative technologies to keep her members in touch between Meetups.

Her infectious spirit and commitment to community building makes her a perfect example of how a bit of forward thinking can increase the depth and dimension of any Meetup.

I'm very impressed with her and am proud to introduce you to The Meetup Organizer of the Week for July 30 - August 5, 2007:

Susan Flowers and The Charlotte 30+ Women's Meetup - Celebrating Experience!

1. "Giving back to the community is an integral part of who we are." This statement caught my eye while reading your About Pages. It impresses me that your group isn't purely social (not that there's anything wrong with that...) Tell us about some of the projects your group is working on.
   
   
   

   I love that question Angela. I decided early on in the groups development, that although it is absolutely wonderful to get together and share fun times, it is important for mature women to assume civic and leadership responsibilities in the community that serves them. It is important for our growth as women to note ways that we can assist in the communities we call home because in the bigger picture, everyone of us is connected and our individual actions will effect the greater good.

   Most people want to help, but the opportunities to choose from may be overwhelming to some. As an Organizer I have taken that into consideration and setup what I call the Semi-Annual Giveback Series. Every quarter, members have an opportunity to suggest a project in the community that we can get involved in as a group and make a difference. Currently, we are working on our Pajamas For Kids project. We have adopted our area's largest youth center and group home for this project and I've set a goal of 100 new PJs for us to donate as a group for the children. The youth center is ecstatic about the offer and the ladies have been so kind and generous in their giving. Some have even enlisted friends and co-workers, one lady an entire company is contributing and others have donated several on their own. We are poised to exceed the goal at this point, what a beautiful thing.

   
   

2. In our correspondence you noted that Meetup changed your life. Gotta love it! Do tell.
   
   
   

   Meetup has changed my life in soooo many ways. As a transplant to Charlotte after spending my entire life in NYC, I felt like a fish out of water, especially after my husband passed away in 2004. It was important for me to establish an additional base of support outside of my family back in NYC. After being introduced to Meetup.com in December, the inspiration needed to begin my own group developed into the Charlotte 30+ Women's Meetup on January 30, 2007. From our first coffee shop meetup with 15 women, I now have more friends and support than I have ever had in my entire life, all in such a short period of time.

   
   

3. How did you find Meetup.com and what were your initial impressions of who we are and expectations or surprises after you started the group?
   
   
   

   I first heard about Meetup.com at the end of 2006 while watching a segment on Good Morning America. There were members singing its praises on the show. One lady stated that she found a job, met her husband and has a new dog as a result of being on Meetup.com. I thought that if one site could do this much for one person, I've got to check it out. I visited your site immediately and was impressed with all the hobbies and interests represented there. There is no other site that I've visited with so much to offer. Meetup has definitely lived up to my expectations and I've joined other inerests groups there as well, which allowed me to befriend more people. All the surprises have been good.

   
   

4. Tell us a bit about yourself: work, family, hobbies.
   
   
   

   I am a 42 yo widowed, mother of two daughters ages 11 & 20. One is a rising 6th grader, the other a sophmore in college. I am a retired RN with my Ph.D. in Biology. Currently I am pursuing my life passions of national public speaking, writing and life coaching. In addition to organizing 2 very large and active groups on Meetup.com, I also freelance write for a newspaper in SC, speak at different venues and serve as a board member on a local school board in my town.

   
   

5. Walk us through a typical Charlotte 30+ Women's Meetup.
   
   
   

   On a social meetup, we are visiting a different and interesting venue, such as a great local eatery, a massage center, outdoor events, wine tastings, etc. Because we are a large group, meetup attendance numbers are generally set, this way we do not overwhelm a venue. The attendance number is usually set by speaking with the venue in advance and ascertaining a number of members that they could accomodate comfortably. The ability to talk and socialize is also taken into account, so that the level of closeness is not lost. If a reservation is allowed, I make it, so all in attendance knows what to ask for when they arrive. Everyone is introduced by me during an event and conversation and comradery always takes place immediately. Our typical meetup is always a blast, a great time had by all.

   
   

6. Your group offers a very interesting feature, teleconfrencing between Meetup events. Explain the genesis of this idea and how its helped your members stay connected.
   
   
   

   The brainchild for the teleconference meetup came out of a technique used in sales & marketing. I noticed that some members would join and "sit on the fence" for several weeks, almost as if they were shy about joining us in person at a meetup. I thought that perhaps if there was a number they could call and hear the interaction of members old and new on the line, reluctant members could develop a "feel" for who we really are. Therfore this would encourage them to take the next step, which is to attend an event.

   
   

7. As an Organizer, you're clocking lots of hours planning and executing events. If you could add a new feature to the Meetup tool box (to help make organizing easier, more efficient) what would that be?
   
   
   

   A great tool for me would be the ability to email a specific group of members, without emailing selected individuals one by one. Meetup group emailing is limited to either the entire group or to those pertaining to a specific meetup. It would be great to be able to "check off" members needed to email for other reasons, such as your Assistant Organzers, and just send one letter. Instead, I have had to create email groups through my personal email account, which I'd prefer not to do. I'd like to do it all in one place.

   
   

8. Finally, please share three things you'd suggest to a new or struggling Organizer trying to make a go of their group.
   
   
   
   • Attend every meetup that you can and get to know your active members well. Help & assistance can come from everyone so let them know your goals.

   • Stay on top of your group and pay close attention to all activity on your message board. Be clear on what can not be posted...for us it's no solicitation of any kind.

   • Market as much as you can and encourage members to bring friends and family to join in on some activities. We've gained additional members that way and showed family members that they were welcome.
   
   

   Be sure to share your congrats with Susan in the Organizer's Forum!