Recording | Collaborative Community Building: Leadership Teams

Learn all about recruiting leadership teams with Meetup organizers who have seen success firsthand.

By Emily Trieste

Reviewed by Mary Garcia

Organizing a successful group takes time and dedication, but it doesn’t have to be a solo journey. In fact, some of the strongest communities on Meetup have multiple group organizers. In this Meetup Live recording, we’ll be talking about ways to tap into your community for assistance.

Learn all about recruiting leadership teams with Meetup organizers who have seen success firsthand. Hear how organizers Deborah Paiva, Daniel Seixas, and Sarah Andrews have distributed responsibilities involved with managing their groups. Discover how to identify the areas where you need assistance, how to ask your members for support, and how to delegate tasks needed for your group to thrive.

Main Takeaways:

How to form and structure a leadership team

Sarah: Our approach to roles kind of evolved organically based on our needs. The three core organizers, who have been with us for a long time, formed the foundation. But when we brought in new members of the leadership team, we decided to make them all event organizers.
Deborah: I initially aimed for event organizers only. I believed that if someone wanted to be a co-organizer, they would step forward naturally. For my women’s group, I sought event organizers because we have diverse interests, ranging from art and music festivals to kayaking and archery, across New England. I recognized that I couldn’t personally lead all these activities due to my own commitments and vision for the group. I envisioned a dynamic group with frequent events, which didn’t require my constant presence. Now, this vision has materialized as events are organized by others while I oversee, enhance, and enjoy the process. It’s a truly delightful outcome.
Daniel: Our structure is simple: three of us form the board. I oversee things, and I have a Head of Finances who handles payments, and a crucial role, the Head of Hospitality. This role ensures newcomers feel welcomed and at home during events. As we expand to new cities, each location has its own organizer responsible for scheduling and promoting events, somewhat mirroring what I do, acting as an extension of my role.

Asking for support from your members

Deborah: The first step is to acknowledge the fear you might have about bringing in new people. Figure out how to proceed anyway, as avoiding help can lead to burnout. If you’re already feeling the need for help, consider hosting online meet-and-greets or leadership calls. Many people are eager to contribute to the leadership team. You can make them event organizers without the need for complicated roles like assistants or co-organizers.

Top Q&A Questions and Resources:

Can an “assistant”/ “helper” replace a group organizer without the original organizer agreeing to it?
- Deborah: There is a page on Meetup help center that everyone should look at. It will spells out exactly what kinds of authority you’re giving each member when you assign them a role. There are some guidelines that you really need to understand.
- Managing a Leadership Team article.
How do you set up “rules” for the group?
- Daniel: I meticulously organize our rooms, focusing on content. We aim to support those studying in a conservatory and tackle various issues, including undesirable behavior. We’re not a single group and discourage certain behaviors, like inappropriate advances. Our rules are something that evolves and is more or less constantly changing based on our needs.
- Sarah: We’ve successfully established a welcoming culture, evident in our practices like providing name tags and clear signs at events. Organizers are attentive to include everyone, fostering a sense of inclusion. This has created an environment where rules aren’t currently necessary. Our approach might evolve, as Daniel mentioned, but for now, our inclusive culture speaks for itself.