FFSIW - A community for fun independent 40-60's women

FFSIW - Forties Fifties Sixties Independent Women
This group offers the possibility of a new community of like-minded independent women at an age when they have time and enthusiasm to get back out there, meet new people and see what this next phase of our lives has to offer. An opportunity to get out and about in our beautiful city of Belfast and enjoy all its social/cultural opportunities and the wonderful countryside and beaches that surround us.

The below description may seem long but I would ask that you read it carefully. I want to set out clearly the structure/rules/ethos of the group so there are no misunderstandings.

I don’t envisage this group having hundreds of members. I don’t mind if there are only 20. What matters is that those who are members are active, engaged and truly looking for connection, camaraderie, understanding and potentially the holy grail of long-term friendships.

In the last couple of years I returned to Belfast after a long time away and am looking to expand my social circle to be able to enjoy connection, make friends and take advantage of all the amazing experiences that Belfast offers.

Why now? Well, we are about to welcome the start of a new year offering a clean slate and the opportunity to reset and look for the opportunities that lie all around us.

I have been a member of a number of meetup groups and an organiser in a few and there are common themes that turn up in most: No-shows and late cancellations at events; never seeing the same person twice; intermittent event planning; and personality clashes. To name a few.

What I want is a group that focuses on connection, camaraderie, understanding and potentially friendships. With a robust framework and ethos that prevents the above problems.

My commitment:
·      I will fund the costs of the group for an initial 6 months to allow it to get established. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
·      I will also commit, from January, to organising a minimum of 2 coffee meetups, one meal/drinks event, one bookclub and one walk per month in this initial 6 month period to ensure that there are a variety of opportunities to join in.

In return, the ethos/rules for the group set out below are to ensure my sanity and enjoyment as organiser. They are non-negotiable.

So, there we are. I totally get that this group structure won’t be for everyone. For those whose needs it doesn’t meet, I wish you great luck in your search for your tribe. For those that think it may, I look forward to meeting you soon and seeing what type of community we can build with this group.

And if no-one joins that's ok too 😊. I'll chalk it up to experience and move on. There is always more than one path forward.

Claire

ETHOS OF THE GROUP/RULES

1. As independent adult women you and only you are responsible for your emotional and physical wellbeing, happiness, enjoyment, sobriety, transport, etc etc at any event.
2. Each member must have a clear, recognisable and recent profile picture for the group.
3. The world is a wonderful tapestry of varied personalities and value systems. You are not going to like or agree with everyone you meet in the group. And here’s the shocker….not everyone will like or agree with you. And that’s ok. Just take a breath, look around and move on to someone else who’s more your cup of tea.
4. Membership of this group is at the full discretion of the organisers.
5. Organisers are unpaid facilitators and deserve to enjoy events too. Organisers set up events; make bookings where necessary; organise a clear, welcoming place to meet for an event; and facilitate group bill payment. That is the full extent of their remit and liability.
6. An organiser’s structure/rules for an event are non-negotiable and will be clearly laid out in the event description. If you don’t like them, do not sign up for the event.
7. No organiser in this group will profit from any event held. In the next few days I will set up a separate bank account to ensure no co-mingling of group funds with organisers.
8. For meals or other events where bookings are required deposits will be mandatory. Deposits must be received, without chasing, to the group bank account within 24 hours of your RSVP. If not received your RSVP will be amended to 'not going' to give others the opportunity to attend. Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE other than in the event of cancellation by the organiser. If a deposit is forfeited it will either go to: the booked event space where reservations cannot be altered; or, to one of the groups nominated charities. Deposits will be returned to attendees in cash at the beginning of an event to simplify settling the bill
9. Attendees at all meal events will be responsible for checking menus beforehand for suitability of their dietary needs and price point. A 10-12% service charge/tip will be expected from each attendee. This is not optional.
10. Group bill payment at events like meals will be cash only, settled via the organiser and with each attendee asked to clearly mark on a worksheet what they owe. This is to avoid stress for the organiser in knowing who has paid what and how much overall has been paid. It also saves restaurant staff from having to take multiple different payments for one table.