No events

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Permalink Reply by Susan on September 30, 2011 at 2:17pm

It says a lot that no one has even bothered to argue with you on this.  I totally agree.

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Permalink Reply by Debbie Berowitz on October 27, 2011 at 4:07pm

Looks like we are also missing out on an NJYP Halloween party

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Permalink Reply by Nickie on November 4, 2011 at 10:55am

I agree as well... this group has not fulfilled its promise to members. Either a conceretd effort needs to be undertaken to organize new events or everyone should be refunded (at least a portion of) their membership dues.

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Permalink Reply by mets73 on November 11, 2011 at 2:40pm

Agree. I don't understand, why they just don't include this group with the NJYP events. Then maybe, it will begin to grow. 

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Permalink Reply by Frank Pisano on November 12, 2011 at 11:33pm

I agree, has anyone brought this up to Laura?

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Permalink Reply by Jenn W. on November 16, 2011 at 6:14pm

I agree too.  I am right at the cusp of the oldest allowed at NJYP events and I feel a little awkward going to them because of that, so I hesitate.  It is unfortunate that this group has no events.  Maybe NJYP can raise their age range a little bit.  Does anyone know Laura enough to talk to her about it?

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Permalink Reply by Laura on December 1, 2011 at 11:08am

Hey All - I am sorry you are so frustrated.  This topic has come up before and I'm sorry to say that NJYP will not be raising the age limit. The Members voted for the 21 to 39 age range and we are going to respect that. Also, if you take a look around at YP groups across the country MOST cater to the same range.

 

Regarding events I tired my hardest. Early this year I created a survey and then I planned the events that were voted on but hardly anyone even RSVP'd (let alone showed up). You can see the results here, http://www.njprofessionals.org/forum/topics/results-of-trial-events.

I STRONGLY encourage everyone to add events to the calendar. It doesn't take much at all. Just pick a date and a location and add it to the calendar.

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Permalink Reply by Nickie on January 5, 2012 at 1:03pm

Hi Laura -- happy new year!  I reviewed the past messages about survey and trial events and definitely commend you for trying that strategy.  I see that you hosted 6 events and about half of them could be considered successful (8 or more people). Out of the 3 less successful ones, one was on a weekday at lunchtime, accessible to a very limited % of members to begin with. Another may have worked out if it hadn't been cancelled too early.

 

I don't think you should give up just because not all of them had high numbers. As the owner/manager of this group, you have the power to create momentum for events and activities. Yes, I agree that members should also step up and add/create additional events.  But it is the ultimately the responsibility of the organization itself to host events and try new approaches to create success.

 

Some methods you could potentially try:

- deputize 3-4 assistant organizers who have the authority for events they plan to be emailed to entire membership

- choose a recurrent event day that can be counted upon to regularly have some sort of NJP event (eg. first Sunday or every month)

- create fewer but more compelling events (chocolate and wine tasting? art workshop? horseback riding?)

- allow last minute events to be posted my members (unless this has changed my understanding is that members must provide over 2 weeks notice for an event they add to the calendar)

- allow member-posted events to be emailed to the membership

- partner with other groups (eg. NJP members get significant discount to other org's event) so responsibility is not completely on NJP shoulders

 

Lastly, here are tips from other group organizers that might contain some helpful lessons/ideas to apply to our group:  http://meetupblog.meetup.com/tips-tricks/

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Permalink Reply by Laura on January 8, 2012 at 1:29pm

Hi Nickie,

Thank you for your very thoughtful email. Let me go through the points one by one so I can address all your ideas.

1. I think it's a great idea to have some assistant organizers. I'll put a call out to them in a separate forum posting.

2. Sure, I can do this with the help of an assistant organizer who will be able to attend.

3. I based the "trial" events on a survey and am concerned that if I create events that didn't do well on the survey even less will attend.  For the event examples you gave I'll need to book places, put down deposits, etc. and that's not a risk I'm willing to take given the history of the group and their lack of interest for events they highly selected in a survey.

4. Sure, last minute events can be posted!

5. This is easy too. I can certainlly alert others regarding a posted event.

6. This is a little more complicated, especially at this point NJP doesn't have much to offer regarding events (yet).

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