Who can join this group?

Anyone can join this Meetup group - we love hosting events with fun members! However, the Membership Team will remove members who do not abide by the spirit of what this group is all about. Membership in this group is considered a privilege, not a right. 98% of our members never cause any problems - the rest are removed.

When you show up at an event, there will be a sign-in sheet posted with names and photos - it is each member's responsibility to ensure that they have checked off their name.

The Hospitality Team greets members and helps with introductions when you arrive.

What is a No Show?

The attendance list is printed on the day of the event at 2 PM (unless otherwise noted) - after an event, any name not 'checked off' is a No Show.

No Shows are marked with a title of 'donor - see about page'. Donors are not allowed to RSVP for any future event until $5 is donated online to ManhattanCares, where proceeds go to charity. Click here to donate. Once we have received your charity contribution, we will remove your title and you can RSVP for events as usual.

If you are a walk-in to an event (i.e. without an RSVP), you will be charged $5 extra if space is available (and if you are a No Show, you will need to remedy that problem at that time).

Why am I required to have a personal photo displayed?

Each member must display a clear, identifiable personal photo before RSVPing for any event. Not of a cat, or a cartoon character, or a tree, but of you. For all events, especially those at a private residence, we want to see who is coming and have a record of attendees. In addition, photos help speed up the check-in process at each event.

What behaviors are grounds for removal?

Member removal is done by the Membership Team, not by the group organizer. There are many reasons why a member may be removed from this group (with or without warning), including:

• General rudeness and anti-social behavior
  
• Excessive drunkeness
  
• Overly-aggressive approaches towards the opposite sex, to the point of discomfort
  
• Rudeness to the volunteer hosts who donate their free time to help run events
  
• Excessive no-shows
  
• Habitual violation of dress codes
  
• Cheapness at potluck events
  
• Attempting to crash parties without RSVPing
  
• Ignoring age restrictions for certain age-specific events
  
• Pattern of not tipping at venues
  
• Lackluster participation in event ice-breakers, rules, themes, etc.
  
• PUAs (pick-up artists)
  
• Contacting multiple members online (via e-mail or greetings) whom you have never met. This group is not an online 'friendship' or dating site. Since we require photos of all members, we take this rule *very* seriously.
  
• Harassing or impolite e-mails or greetings
  
• Over-promotion of one's business or social group. We will allow a brief mention of what you do in your profile. Member names cannot be of businesses nor contain URLs.
  

Positive Feedback

The organizers get many messages a day *each* - it takes a long time to personally answer each one, even if just to point members to this page, where many inquiries are answered. Some nice feedback:

• I think [the RSVP policy is] fair and much better than some of the other meetups.
  
• You were correct to do this... No problem.
  
• Donated to the warriors - see you at the event!
  
• Your events are always great and the donation is going towards a worthy cause so it's money well spent and a great idea for dealing with no-shows (particularly from a behavioral psychology perspective).
  
• My sincere thanks again for all you do! And I think this is an ingenious way to earn money for worthy charities!!
  

Fun Excuses

Messages from members who were No-Shows (did not attend and did not change their RSVPs):

• I am not in a position to donate [$5] to a charity now as I am unemployed. I would love for you to change my status so that I can attend the events.
  
• I had a medical emergency and could not attend.
  
• I have been plagued by a chronic sinus infection.
  
• I got sick after lunch.
  
• I [was] sick and in the hospital.
  
• A family member fell ill and I had to travel.
  
• Please take the donor status away. I could not make it to an event because my aunt was hospitalized and I had no access to a PC at the time to cancel. I have come to your events in the past and would like to continue to do so. Thank you.
  
• I don't really think I need to make a donation, you guys can change my status.
  
• It should be my own decision to donate to any charity at any time, not when someone or an organization is imposing those requirements.
  
• I read your membership policy and I would love to donate money but I am currently doing an unpaid internship at ***** and I don't have much income.
  

Thank you for taking the time to review our Membership Policy - we hope you enjoy our events!