Leaving MeetUp Celebration!

We are meeting at the new Central Library this time, 72nd and Dodge Street, in Room 303, on the upper level.
I had requested a guided tour if possible, but have been informed that the library staff are too busy preparing for their Summer reading program(s).
We can still wander the building as a group, or as smaller "committees", until curiosities are satisfied or stimulated. Since we are not being given a tour, we can do a tour after the meeting more organically concludes.
I want to communicate some of the information I am aware of concerning how Meetup does things, and why we have told the person who Meetup views as responsible for paying subscription fees on behalf of REASON that we will not be reimbursing those fees. The fees most recently paid are expected to run out on June 30, or require renewing on that date. A quirk of MeetUp is that the group isn't technically charged, rather an "Organizer" assumes responsibility to maintain a subscription on behalf of one or more groups. When the subscription of our current Organizer expires, MeetUp may try to contact other members of the group and ask them if they would like to "step up". A person may actually do so for free, but they must register a credit card anyway. This is because MeetUp views such an arrangement as a "free trial" that will soon end. You've guessed it! The credit card that was registered is now charged the subscription fees! The fees charged are very expensive for what is provided. REASON has more than 1000 members, according to MeetUp, but it is not readily apparent that we are able to send a message to any of them! We can advertise an event, but the event cannot be found from outside of MeetUp. It remains to be seen how possible it is to find an event from within MeetUp if one doesn't already know that it is there.
Let's discuss this a little more in our meeting. Hopefully we will have enough information about "No Kings 4: A Night to Build Community" on June 14th to engage in some planning too!
I want to screen an 18 minute video for y'all, I don't want to spoil it by naming it here!
When we wrap-up, we can wander around the new facility.
The next First Saturday Meeting (FSM) to follow this is on August first (8/1/2026). The FSM after that will be for REASON Elections on September fifth (9/5/2026).
REASON is leaving Meetup, but we will be searching for an outreach replacement that works better for us and/or costs less!
Differing viewpoints are welcomed in the discussion periods. We expect that discussions can be spirited, bear in mind that this is hosted within a public library.
Topics of meetings change each month. Sometimes we will have a speaker and sometimes we watch a video and discuss.

Participation is always welcome, but be ready to cite your sources if challenged.

https://www.reason.ws/reason_calendar.aspx

https://www.meetup.com/reason-rationalists-empiricists-and-skeptics-of-nebraska/events/

Masking is not currently required to attend, but may be advisable for immune-compromised or unvaxxed people.
As of the week wrapping May 8, the Douglas and Sarpy County area is heading into an anticipated Summertime lull. RSV is still around, along with some Covid-19, and Rhinovirus, but the numbers are relatively low.
[https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Seasonal-Respiratory-Diseases.aspx](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Seasonal-Respiratory-Diseases.aspx&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0Xp02jBPHCXYgXw5VcNHFr)
Those who should normally be cautious are advised to protect their health as always.
Reasonable accommodations will be respected if possible.