South East Queensland Campers Meetup group is a volunteer group, not paid travel organisers, and we hope all members will chip in and help to host a camping weekend.
**Our membership year commences 1 October each year, not the date you join.**
South East Queensland Campers consists of adventurous, fun-loving mature aged campers (core demographic is 50/60/70+ years), empty nester Baby Boomers and grey nomads spanning south to Northern New South Wales, north to northern regions of the Sunshine Coast and west to Southern Country Queensland.
We do not cater for families with children as there are plenty of other Meetup social groups that would be more suitable.
**REQUEST TO JOIN**
* All "requests to join" are individually reviewed once a week and not automatically accepted, even if payment is received.
* If you pay before being accepted, you may be requested to provide your bank details so a refund can be reversed.
* If a membership request is (for example), questioned/questionable for the betterment of upholding synergy and harmony amongst our social group, your request may be declined. Notifications will be emailed via Meetup app/website, not personal email.
Our membership year is 1 October to 30 September, **not from the date you join.**
**ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE (UP TO 30 SEPT 2024)**
* Annual membership with South East Queensland Campers Meetup group is $7.50 per person ($15 per couple).
Once a paid member, subject to space availability and the event, you can invite a non-member guest (your Plus 1), however bringing a non-member guest incurs $5 per person, per event, and must be pre-paid at least one week prior to the event. It is the responsibility of the member to ensure payment is made for your guest and that your RSVP reflects that you are bringing a guest. More details on guests below. It's cheaper to be a member.
**PROFILE PHOTO:** We have a privacy setting so only members can see each other and full content. All members must upload a real/true photo of yourself and retain it online at all times so we can easily identify you from your photo when you are online and at our camping events. We want to see the real you. No landscapes, camping set up, pets, kids, caricatures, blurry or filtered photos etc. We want to see the real you. No profile photo = one requests/reminder to do so, and if you continue to refuse or not abide by this simple term of membership, your membership will be deleted. Bank transfer refund of membership fee may/may not be offered subject to length of annual membership validity remaining. I
**LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITE:** We want you to be an 'active' member by periodically logging on to our website group page so you can view our events and attend at least one camping Meetup a year - the more the better.
**ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS IN YOUR PROFILE SETTINGS:**
Make sure you have your notifications set so you can receive alerts or emails for our events, updates, emails, alterations, tips and tricks. You must manage your own mobile phone/PC settings to receive South East Queensland Meetup group emails or notifications when new events are scheduled, cancellations, news and updates. You can search how to manage ‘Push Notifications’ in Settings / Preferences, often located at the top right on the main Meetup home page or your own Profile page if using a mobile device, or in your Profile on a PC. Depending on your device, it may be a ‘cog’ wheel and drop down box of selections. Navigate your way from there. If in doubt, ask a fellow camper in the group to help you when you're at an event.
**MEMBERS HOSTING EVENTS:**
We welcome all members to host an event if you’re comfortable doing so. It’s easy and you have our help. Your leadership team of Group Organiser and Co-Organisers will assist you with review of your suggestion and if it’s a goer, we will post the event on your behalf, nominate you as Event Host, help you write content and upload imagery, and be there to help you with any questions. You pretty well just need to ring/email the campground to see if there’s space available and be the ‘go to’ person for the event, answering online enquiries etc.
We encourage Event Hosts to arrange a ‘sunset happy hour’ somewhere central at the location for all attendees to congregate, enjoy a drink, sit around a campfire (if permitted) and share yarns.
The beauty and success of this group is that we don’t usually have any set schedules for structured activities or alarm clocks however we may include suggestions or recommendations of nearby points of interest in events so you can get out of your camp site and explore the region, meet fellow campers and build friendships in a relaxed, happy atmosphere.
**ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE AND BANK DETAILS (INCLUDING PAYMENT FOR A 'PLUS 1' GUEST)**
$7.50 per person or $15 per couple.
BSB 484799
Account 501238639
***Reference:*** You must **include your profile name** so we can align payment to you. If you don’t do this, then we won’t know who payment is from. You can also private message Linda G, our Group Organiser, to advise of your payment. To private message, click on Linda G profile and then click on the 'conversation' icon.
**We are a volunteer non-paid no profit social group with no ABN or insurances etc – everything is at your own risk as detailed in the T&Cs with meetup.com when you first signed up with Meetup (not our camping group). Refer meetup.com T&Cs.**
The South East Queensland Campers annual membership fee just covers hard costs to utilise the international Meetup website and online tools, and any surplus funds are redistributed to subsidise targeted group events, eg. a larger group BBQ dinner or lunch, signage, perhaps bags of wood at larger events, if there's surplus funds.
**ANY OTHER EXPENSES I NEED TO KNOW?**
It is your own responsibility to book and pay your own fees direct to the event campground and discuss your needs (non-power, power, water, location to amenities etc) unless other arrangements are stated in the event page.
*Always mention you are with South East Queensland Camping group* so campground personnel can position you close by to other members, that is, unless you want to keep your own privacy and distance. The choice is yours.
**HOW DO I FIND THE GROUP AT THE CAMP SITE?**
We usually have red SEQ Campers teardrop banners placed at the event host's campsite to easily identify our group. Please ensure you are proactive and introduce yourself to the event host.
At most camping events, we congregate somewhere central for Sunset Happy Hour (usually from around 4 or 4.30pm) for you to mix and mingle with fellow members. Please be proactive to come over, introduce yourself and say g’day. It's usually BYO chair, drinks, nibblies to share and of course, a good sense of humour. Follow the noise of fun and laughter. That will be us! Simply refer to each event with any activities, eg Sunset Happy Hour, group dinners, lunches etc.
It is not always up to the event Host to organise Sunset Happy Hour - it's a group thing so please be proactive and chip in.
**MANAGING YOUR OWN RSVPs and NO SHOWS**
Our 'no show' / 'late cancellation' policy is simple. If you are a ‘no show’ to an event you RSVPd to, or cancel your attendance within 48 hours of an event where a booking has been made; on two separate occasions you may be removed from the group - no refund of your membership fee will be available. It's important we do the right thing by our venues and the group; plus, it's just good manners. No shows and last minute cancellations may also affect the overall $$ fees - please be mindful and respectful to the event Host and fellow campers.
It is up to each member to manage their own RSVP, edit and/or change to Unable to Attend with at maximum notice you can provide so we know real numbers attending.
**OUR BASIC BEHAVORIAL RULES:**
We're all in this together to create a welcoming, fun and comfortable environment. Let's treat everyone with respect, kindness and courtesy. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. As mentioned already, all members must upload a true photo on their profile so we can easily identify you - the real you, not a pet, landscape etc.
**No Hate Speech or Bullying**
Make sure everyone feels safe and at ease. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated and degrading comments about fellow members, or things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. Unnecessary or unacceptable comments, and verbal and/or online bickering will be deleted.
**No Promotions or Spam**
Self-promotion, spam and irrelevant links aren't allowed.
**Respect Everyone's Privacy**
Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Everyone is to respect other's privacy, discussions, camp space and personal possessions.
**Behaviour**
We all want to enjoy a fun, stress-free camping getaway. Many of us enjoy a social drink however if you push the limits and make people feel uncomfortable with unacceptable conversations and/or your unacceptable actions and behaviour, you may be asked to leave the campground, and/or group. Unacceptable behaviour is extremely rare in our group however should it ever happen, please privately report happenings to the Group Organiser or Event Host for appropriate review or action.
**No Off Shoot Private Camping Events via Meetup platform**
Members are not to have direct contact via the South East Queensland Campers Meetup platform to invite other members to non-full group, ie. private camping events. Share your own private emails and phone numbers if you form friendships. Private "silo" camping events via Meetup platform will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the group. We are ONE group for all paid members. The South East Queensland Campers Meetup platform is for the sole purpose of FULL GROUP event and communication notifications.
We will not allow our group's good reputation with fellow members, campgrounds and/or venues, be jeopardised with inappropriate behaviour of any kind.
Immediate removal and/or banning from rejoining our group will be at the discretion of the Group Organiser.
**AT YOUR OWN RISK:**
If you join the group and/or are a participant in any of its activities, you agree that you are participating at your own risk and that no other person, member or guest will be held responsible for any mishaps, injury or property loss or damage sustained to you or your guest through your participation in any of South East Queensland Campers activities.
Thank you,
Linda G
(volunteer) Group Organiser
