Welcome to one of the most active and varied groups in the Vancouver area - Primarily aimed at the 40+ demographic.
We are a group of like-minded people who want to get out and have fun in a **safe**, enjoyable environment. The group has grown in membership and range of events since its formation back in 2011 but the ethos remains the same - **Inclusiveness, Friendship & Fun.**
So whether your new in town, separated from your BFFs or simply want to expand your social circle, this is the premier group in the area for building new friendships and having a great time doing it. Don't worry about coming alone to events as the vast majority are in this situation and hosts will meet and welcome you at the events. It's actually easier to mingle and get to know others this way.
**Subscription for the group is $5-10 depending on your circumstances and we ask you to pay this each year. This can be done by sending E-Transfer money to jcoyleroach@gmail.com. Alternately you can pay me (JEAN) directly at an event. Please let me know which you prefer.**
We also welcome your suggestions for events and venues, so if you have any ideas contact the Organizers who can then schedule. If you fancy hosting a single event we can make this happen as well and indeed many of our Organizers started in this way.
**Right now I am actively seeking new event organizers I can teach you all the tricks and how to use the website as an organizer. Its fun leading a group in an event that you enjoy.**
**We do have some asks of our members;**
**Firstly- That your profile picture is a picture of your face, and that your profile name include your first name. The reasons for this are first and foremost for safety sake, and also to help your new community and event hosts know who you are and build a stronger group of friends.**
**Secondly- Please only RSVP if you're sure you can attend an event and if you find you can't make it for some reason, please change your RSVP to No. It makes the Event Host's life a lot easier not having to look out for members, and we sometimes have to reserve seats at events. Our reputation as a group or a host can be damaged if we don't fill the seats we have reserved, and as such persistent no-shows will be removed from the group.**
**Thirdly- Read the policies -----and be aware that you can be removed from the group at my discretion as leader of 40+ if I feel that anyone is being anything less then respectful to our Group, Leaders and Members.**
Here are a few policies that I have taken from the Meetup Organizers Help Site.
**Group Conduct Policies**
**Be Safe**
All **organizers** and **members** must take ownership over their safety, and must never put themselves or others in danger. We expect all organizers and members to be mindful of local laws when engaging with their Meetups.
When appropriate, Meetup encourages organizers to set guidelines for their Meetups to ensure their members are participating safely.
**Singles and Dating Meetup Groups**
Singles groups relating to a specific shared identity, shared set of values, or shared activity based interests that also aim to facilitate participation and community building are supported on Meetup. Dating services do not share the common goal of facilitating local and lasting community amongst groups of people and are prohibited.
In order to provide a quality and more personally relevant experience for our members, Meetups for singles of a certain age, or singles in a certain location, are not specific enough to qualify as Meetup groups.
Prohibited dating services and events include, but are not limited to, speed dating, dating clinics, and date coaching.
**Pick-up Artist Meetups**
Meetup does not support groups that involve pick-up or seduction techniques, or wing man tactics.
**Sexual and Adult Interests and Identities**
Meetup respects anyone's choice to build a supportive community for diverse identities or lifestyles provided it is safe, honestly-informed and consensual. This includes those with sexual or adult interests. However, Meetups that participate in, or promote prostitution, or allow for any type of exploitation, are prohibited. If Meetup groups involve sexual interests, or education, organizers must abide by additional requirements for their Meetups.
In a Meetup group title or description, organizers must clearly describe rules of participation and informed consent, be clear and explicit about activities that will occur, and outline safety considerations. They must also always have their group visibility settings set to Private.
**Sexual Content and Nudity**
Pornography is not allowed on Meetup. Publicly shared photos must be appropriate for general audiences. Nude or sexual photos are not allowed in public spaces.
If nudity or sexuality is part of a Meetup's identity or lifestyle, organizers must keep the group Private in order to limit access to this content to members of that group. Meetup expects leadership teams to monitor this content.
**Under 18 Participation**
Meetup members and organizers must be at least 18 years of age. Therefore, Meetup groups should be targeted at, and only offer opportunities for, those who are over 18.
While Meetups are welcome to provide activities for families, any children present at a Meetup must be supervised and accompanied by an adult guardian.
**Hate and Harm**
Meetup groups purposed to organize or promote hateful, harmful, threatening, or bullying behaviour, will be removed from the platform.
Organizers are expected to moderate their groups and content to prevent such behaviours from occurring and such content from appearing.
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Some of these policies may sound extreme, but there are many kinds of people out there and we need to cover ourselves to create the kind of community we want to have.
**Thank you and have fun!!!**
Jean (Organizer)
