Hayley Glauser is Meetup's Organizer of the Week for August 6 - 12, 2007!

Lets swing over to the opposite side of the continent to visit with an Organizer who's open-minded, welcoming manner has proved the perfect elixir to grow her Meetup group.

The democratic policies for membership, planning and promoting her Meetup are really a credit to the welcoming atmosphere she and her Assistant Organizers create.

I have to share one quote with you:

"I've met such awesome friends in this group that I feel a whole new chapter in my life started."

I'm sure many of us feel exactly the same when it comes to Meetup.com Humans need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, whether it comes from a large social group (such as clubs, office culture, religious groups, professional organizations, sports teams, gangs) or small social connections (family members, intimate partners, mentors, close colleagues, confidants).

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now and introduce The Meetup Organizer of the Week for August 6 - 12, 2007: Hayley Glauser and The Scrapaholics of Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada

Thanks, Hayley!

1. Scrapaholics! Great name for your group. When did your addiction first take hold?
   
   
   

   Thanks! Originally our name was "The Vancouver Burnaby Scrapaholics" or something close to that, but we shortened a few months ago so that we could open the group location wise. We wanted to encourage scrapbookers and card makers from all over the lower mainland to become a part of our growing community. I personally got hooked about a year and a half ago - definitely since joining Meetup.com. That is where I have met my best friends!

   
   

2. When you're not feeding your addiction - where can we find you?
   
   
   

   I work full time as an insurance broker. Not the most artistically challenging job. Very much colouring inside the lines! I'm married to my husband Mike who is a great guy. He patiently puts up with my endless shopping for the latest and greatest supplies. I shop a lot locally at Get Creative Scrapbooking, as well as Clipper Street and Memory Workshop. Sometimes online too.

   When I'm not scrapbooking, I'm going to movies or spending time with family. Really though, I've met such awesome friends in this group that I feel a whole new chapter in my life started. I also really enjoy traveling - or a least planning the traveling. Work seems to somehow slow the traveling down. We also have 2 dogs and 2 cats.. and yes, they are great scrapbook projects in themselves.

   
   

3. You've recently taken over the reigns as Organizer. Was the transition an easy one?
   
   
   

   The best thing about being The Organizer for Scrapholics is that it is absolutely a team, and no one voice rules the lot of us. It's very democratic, and the whole point of it is about the groups best interest. The Assistant Organizers are very active, more than me sometimes! So my hat is off to Joanne especially who really keeps the events on the boards, as well as Susan and Darissa. It just wouldn't be the same without them. The previous Organizer Robyn did a phenomenal job in getting the ball rolling, and I appreciate it. We just want to grow, and have some seriously good scrapping times.

   
   

4. I noticed the group utilizes a round robin method for Meetup locations, which is a perfect solution for a group with members spread over a large area. Does this arrangement effect attendance or are most members willing to travel regardless?
   
   
   

   I think most members will travel regardless as long as the have the day open. We carpool and assist each other as best we can. We are always looking for new places to meetup, and when we find a place we like - we go back. We keep our fees low, so it's important to find locations that suit us. We'd rather spend the money on door prizes at our events!

   
   

5. What do you do to keep your members engaged and interested between Meetup events?
   
   
   

   We try and keep ongoing projects or "swaps" going, so that there are several things that people can sign up for every month depending on interest and activity level. Some sign up for all, and some just once in awhile. We know that everyone scraps a little differently, and at different levels, so we encourage people to share ideas and discuss related topics on the board. We'll post different ideas, and questions to get others inputs.

   Our coffee meetup is once a month - coming up this Wednesday actually, and it's where we decide what our next few events will be, and where they should be. We set our budgets and plan prizes etc. It's where people can come to let us know what they want. Since this is an open door kind of group, we believe the more people who give us ideas, the richer we will all be for it!

   
   

6. Sometimes its tough to find a location to suit a large group, especially a group that needs space to create. Any tips, ideas for other Organizers who might be struggling with locating a suitable creative space?
   
   
   

   We utilize common rooms at peoples apartment buildings, as well as stores who have the space. We also find out about local events and fundraisers and we participate in those as a group. Really you have to just ask people if they have the room to let you use it. You never know unless you ask. We also will internally recognize when a vendor has been good to us. I mean, we can drop some serious coin in this hobby - so if a store has room for us to crop there, they would be crazy to say no.

   
   

7. What inspires your creativity for new page ideas?
   
   
   

   My friends. I am surrounded by amazingly creative, giving and very fun women to spend time with. (Guys are welcome too!) So definitely spending time with them gives me lots of ideas. Also of course I look to the usual publications like Simple Scrapbooks, CK etc. I also find ideas in advertising and regular magazines. Scrapbooking has opened my eyes up to a new way of seeing the world around me. Sounds Corny - but it's true.

   
   

8. Any big plans on the horizon for The Scrapaholics?
   
   
   

   Well we have a big anniversary crop coming up in September that we are planning. Plus we will also have a Christmas Card Swap, a Cookie Swap, and will continue to search out some new venues, as well as members. I'd love to see us double our membership by this time next year. We have lots of fun and I know it will continue!

   Thank you very much for the opportunity to say hello and showing interest in our group!

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