What we’re about
Welcome to Bend Seasoned Singles, for singles 60 and up!
Hi! Jim Harvey here, mostly-retired guy and Lead Organizer of Bend Seasoned Singles aka BSS. I formed this group April, 2024 because I recently moved back to Bend after a 40+ year absence, knew absolutely no one.
We welcome everyone who is unmarried ie single, age 60 and older. We're a group of contemporaries who want to get together, make new friends and have a good time.
We’ll enjoy “Events”: varied restaurant meals, movies, concerts and cultural outings, road trips, hiking and biking, picnics, book meetings, fairs and rodeos, pickleball - whatever members what to do. Membership is free.
I prefer hosting smaller Events, maybe 6-12 people, probably once weekly. We need most members to volunteer, host whatever they’re interested in. The more volunteers – the more events we'll have!
BSS WhoWhatWhereWhenWhyHow
Who: BSS membership is for single people age 60 and older. There seems to be a dearth of such groups in Bend, so here we are. Members of every race, religion, nationality, gender orientation, etc etc are welcome.
What: Our Events are varied social gatherings to meet people, enjoy ourselves while making new friends. As a retired guy I live on a pretty limited budget - not whining, just sayin'. Almost all my Events thus will be ones you can enjoy for $20 or less. I prefer smaller Events, 12 people or fewer. Members may offer Events of any cost and size. If you have an interest you’d like to share, meet others like you – here’s your chance!
Where: Our initial Events will take place in the general Bend area. As our group (hopefully) expands we may go farther afield. If you have your vaccinations and passport we may even visit Portland.
When: Many of our members are retired. We’ll schedule many Events (such as meals and movies) during the uncrowded Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm window. Members who work weekdays can attend or arrange weeknight and weekend Events.
I work a couple shifts weekly (motel clerk = mental challenge). My schedule changes from week to week, so every Sunday I’ll usually post one small event for the following week.
Members may Host as many events as they like, as large or small as they like, for any interest they like, as far in the future as they like.
Why: It can be HARD to make new friends. BSS hopefully will allow folks to meet others. Members are encouraged to use this group as a springboard for non-BSS meetings for coffee or lunch, whatever other social interactions you seek.
How: How do you become a member?
There are two criteria:
1. Be single ie divorced, widowed, never married, etc.
2. Be age sixty (60) or over.
Apply on-line, through the BSS website ie here! By applying you confirm that you are single, age 60 or over. You must state your true first and last name, provide a full-face passport-type photo: no sunglasses or hats, no distant or abstract shots, no pets - plants - planets - whatever: we want to be able to recognize you. Applications not meeting these requirements may be rejected without an opportunity to reapply, so please do it right the first time. Anyone who applies using false information may have their membership terminated without notice.
Once you've joined: sign up for events, attend, have fun!
It's not required, but we ask all members to host an occasional event, share your passion, spread the work around a little bit. For more information see the "How To Host Events" at the bottom of our event calendar, or contact Lead Organizer Jim, below.
Rules? Yes, we have some stinking rules!
I've been Lead Organizer of several Meetups, belonged to many others. Below please find some general rules I've experienced before, will use here.
Event Attendance: To attend an Event – RSVP on that Event’s page. You must RSVP to attend. Once the Event is full there may be a waiting list. If you withdraw please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible, let someone else attend; failure to do so is rude. Also… don’t just “show up” if you haven’t signed up; we often have space for only a limited number of attendees. Violating these rules is the most common reason for loss of membership.
The Host may cancel an Event up to 12 hours before the Event. PLEASE check your email, and look at the Event listing for changes or cancellation, before going out the door to an Event.
Comfortable conversation and behavior: We’re a social group, not a debating society. Please – no discussions of hot-button issues. It’s not acceptable to use Events to sell, push, solicit for your business, a political candidate or position, your religion, your social organization, anything else.
Ill-mannered or inappropriate behavior, harassment, sexual predation won’t be tolerated. Should go without saying, but unfortunately it needs to be said.
Member safety is our number one priority (please note our webpage is private; almost entirely for members only). Please notify the Lead Organizer immediately if another member behaves inappropriately or makes you feel unsafe.
Violation of any of the above may result, without notice, in membership suspension or termination, within the sole discretion of the Lead Organizer. Don’t be that member!
Again - membership is free! We must pay Meetup $100 every six months for website use, etc.; we'll cross this bridge again in early October.
So… having touched on various basics – join and have fun!
(Questions? Contact Lead Organizer Jim at jim5car@yahoo.com)
“Is not life one hundred times too short for us to bore ourselves?" Neitzsche