Social Enterprise

Join us on **Tuesday, May 12th, at 6:00 PM** for an evening of networking with the **Sustainability and Innovation Network Dublin**. **Details:** 📅 **Date:** Tuesday, May 12th ⏰ **Time:** 6:00 - 8:00 PM 📍 **Venue:** J.R. Mahon RSVP to let us know you’re coming, we would love to see you there!

Do you like to try an indoor pool scuba dive 🐠with scuba dive equipment🐳? If you are interested in going for this Pool scuba try dive🐬class, please RSVP early as there will be other people going beside this meetup. If anyone cannot make it on this day and wants a different date, RSVP and you can change your date to another date. I will send you the information details to book your pool dive a week that suites you. 😊 https://www.padi.com/ https://youtu.be/kvmgy4XsqrU This event is (PADI) scuba dive for First Timers 🐬who are interested in trying Scuba Diving🐠🐟. This will be a scuba dive in a large swimming pool 5m deep at one end. Cost is about 55 euros. Scuba dive equipment will be included and supplied. You will be shown how to use scuba diving equipment by a dive instructor. If you do well in the pool, you can go to the next step and take up an open water PADI dive course qualification. With this qualification it will allow you to do open water scuba diving world wide. Dublin open water boat dives and weekend Atlantic sea boat dives trips and or Fjord boat scuba dives trips will be also avaliable to you around Ireland and World Wide once you are a PADI Open Water qualified scuba diver. People use Sea swimming for its healing properties,it washes viruses, bacteria and cleanse your skin amongst other things due to the sea salt content. Since the pandemic there has been a large increase in people going swimming. Scuba diving also refreshes your mind like hiking to start a new fresh day and a new work week. Anyone interested, please RSVP and I will send you the booking information. As usual this is a sporting event, so when you RSVP and attend this meetup, every person is responsible for their on health and saftey and accept full responsibilty.

We are in the middle of a trilogy of topics that form a story. Our current series is around the theme of human flourishing. Last month we discussed beauty. This month we will look at how the role ‘home’ plays in our well-being. Then in June we will ask what roles do nature and nurture play in our lives? **What about a sense of ‘belonging’?** “Ah, it’s good to be home,” we say after a time of travel or business. We move to a new city or country and feel a disorientation or rootlessness. We lack a familiarity sense of place and relationships. The modern world is not a village where you know your grocer by their first name. Some may call it ‘home.’ But what is home: A building? A geographical location? A feeling in the heart and soul? A place populated by people we love or are perhaps related to? How about those who live in a country other than their country of origin: what might they think about the whole matter of home? You are welcome to come along to discuss "Longing to belong" on Tuesday, 12.May at Third Space Smithfield. NOTE: we ask for a 3 Euro donation to cover costs. Payable on the night by coin or Revolut. Thanks Socrates Cafe: a space where ideas and dialogue can flourish

🐠First timers who are interested in doing their first Open Water Scuba dive 🐬course, please RSVP and I will send you the contact information about the scuba dive course and dive master's details. There will be other people on this course besides people from this meetup. There are different course dates, so RSVP and you can choose another date if you wish. The cost of this PADI Scuba Dive course is about 650 euros or so and it is a part time course. The duration is over about a month or so. https://www.padi.com/ https://youtu.be/kvmgy4XsqrU This (PADI) scuba dive course is also a legal qualification requirement for scuba divers. The first dives will be in a large swimming pool 5m deep. If you like you can also do a pool try dive to see how you go before you start your dive course. You will be shown how to use scuba diving equipment. This PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases: * Knowledge Development (online, home study or in a classroom ) to understand basic principles of scuba diving (5 modules) * Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills (5 pool training dives). * Open Water Dives to review your skills and explore (4 open water dives). * Once you become a PADI qualified scuba diver you can do open water boat dives and weekend Atlantic sea boat dives and or Fyords boat scuba dives trips will be avaliable to you around Ireland and overseas. ## **Course Schedule (3-Week Format)** ### **Week One** **7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Induction, equipment orientation, safety briefing **9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 1 ### **Week Two** **7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Knowledge Development + skills briefing **9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 2 ### **Week Three** **7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Knowledge Development + final review **9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 3 ✅ After your pool training, you're ready for your **two open-water dives.** People use Sea swimming for its healing salt properties,it washes viruses, bacteria and cleanse your skin amongst other things due to the sea salt content. There has been a large increase in people going swimming these last years. Scuba diving also refreshes your mind like hiking to start a new fresh day and a new work week. Anyone thinking about doing scuba diving this would be a good starting point for you. As usual this is a sporting event, so when you RSVP and attend this course, every person is directly responsible for their own health and saftey and accept full responsibilty. To find out more, please RSVP and I will send you the Dive Master Contact Details.🐳🐬🐚

**Join us on May 12 for the next Stripe Dublin meetup. This is an in-person event for anyone building with Stripe. An evening focused on Stripe user experiences, product insights, best practices, and community.** 🍕🍺 **Perks** Food, drink provided! **🎫 Tickets** There is a hard limit for RSVP :) Wait list will be operating on Meetup. **📍Location** The event is hosted at Stripe's Dublin offices, Fitzwilton House, Wilton Pl, Dublin, 2 · Dublin, ie **🕚 Rough timings** * 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Doors open with refreshments * 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Talks and Q&A * 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Drinks, food, and networking **📣 Talks** 1. **Minions: Stripe’s one-shot, end-to-end coding agents,** Mark Doyle 2. **Enabling Crypto in Stripe - from pay-ins to pay-outs,** Ana Andres del Valle Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the Stripe community. [Stripe developer code of conduct.](https://stripe.com/legal/developer-code-of-conduct)

TOG will be open on Tuesday evenings from 19:00 to 21:30 for a general Open House event. Expect to find members and visitors in the space up to all sorts of activities. It's a great time to drop in and see what the space is about. If you're an artist, tinkerer, maker or just plain curious, come in and see what the space is about. Maybe you already have something to work on (or want to), have something to fix, create, design, bodge or tinker... drop in. We're also open for just for plain old social chat and hang out, with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits. We have lots of free parking right outside our door.

**Wednesday Chess Night at Board! ♟️** Join us every Wednesday from 7 PM. All levels are welcome, from total beginners to seasoned pros. We have a loyal core group, but we are always open to meeting new people! Come grab a drink, find a board, and enjoy some great company. See you there!

Welcome to a vibrant community created for men and women who are ready to connect, explore, and thrive together as friends! This group is all about bringing solo people together in a fun, and welcoming space where new friendships are formed and fresh experiences await. Whether it’s trying out exciting activities or restaurants. Discovering hidden gems in the city, or simply enjoying meaningful conversations. This is a place to step outside your comfort zone and share life’s adventures with like-minded people. Come as you are, leave with new friends, and discover just how fun life can be when we experience it side by side! **About this event:** This is a relaxed midweek social. A great opportunity to meet different people. The area reserved is upstairs at the front of the entrance. Your host will be there to welcome you. **Important information:** RSVPs are not a true representation of the number of people attending. Continuous no shows, will be removed from guest lists. Please bring ID in case the doorman ask you for proof of age. Minimum age to attend is 23. You must purchase a drink - alcoholic or non alcoholic from the bar before engaging with the group. By joining this event, you accept our T&Cs, check them out here: Yinyangevents.ie **[Follow us on Insta: Yinyangeventsireland](https://www.instagram.com/yinyangeventsireland/)**

*NB VERY IMPORTANT - Location not in Stephens green but in a south of the city park, comment on this event or message the organiser on here to be added to our WhatsApp group to get the exact location!* You can also follow us on IG where the whats app group link is - https://www.instagram.com/sundaystrengthsocial?igsh=ZHNwYnBtcW4yZTNx&utm_source=qr —— A weekly guided bodyweight callisthenics meetup to **get stronger—together**. Think push-ups, squats, and core work scaled to your level. **No gym experience needed**, just a willingness to move and chat! Get stronger every week and build a habit! All **ages, genders and fitness levels welcome**! The session will consist of a full 360 routine of: **5 minute warm up:** including exercises like butt kicks and shoulder rotations. **35/45 minute strength building + endurance**: to build muscle and endurance. Easy, intermediate to hard versions for every level. **15 minute HIIT:** for some happy endorphins! (Okay to skip if you're tired!) **5 minute Cooldown:** Get the heart rate down and stretch After, we will go to the food market close by. ——- This will be **super low pressure**, incorporating **basic callisthenics at whatever pace is good for you! Lots of variations from beginner to advanced.** Push yourself or take it easier - no judgement! —— 3 euro donation to cover MeetUp organiser cost only! ——- **What to bring:** * Workout attire * Water bottle * Yoga mat or big black plastic bags for ground exercises ———— See you there!👋

Free. Easy. No experience needed. We meet at 12:00 in Dublin city centre for a little hike - the kind that clears your head after a full week and reminds you why you started. This is community time. No agenda, no pitches, just good conversation with fellow solopreneurs, founders and professionals who get it. After the walk, we head to a nearby restaurant (costs not included in this meetup) No pressure to join, always welcome if you do. This is a free event hosted by the Accountability Circle. Want more? Join us online at [Accountability Circle](https://www.skool.com/bebeyond-now-momentum-makers-2352#) 📍 Exact meeting point in Dublin city centre, details shared before the event. 🚶 Beginner-friendly, flat route, all paces welcome.

Hi :) 🐝 Finish-a-thon – let’s get the things we’ve been putting off done ✅ 📌 Rathmines Library (upstairs) Saturday, 16 May 2026 🕰️ 11AM-3PM We all have that project we have been putting off for a bit or that one to do we just can’t seem to cross off our to do list. Whether it is a craft project stuck in your drawer for too long, a book you’ve been meaning to get to or some course work you need to catch up on – getting things done is much easier in community. So come along and beat the procrastination impulse. We will provide tea, coffee and light snacks.

**ARGENTINE TANGO in BRAY!** Saturday Tango evenings 💃🕺a warm, friendly space to dance, connect, and enjoy the music✨ It’s the perfect blend of learning, dancing, and community ➡️4:00pm – Tango Basics / Beginners/ Fundamentals for all! ➡️5:00pm – Intermediate & Advanced ➡️6:00–8:00pm – Tango Practica - This spacious, bright venue features a beautiful floor perfect for dancing, plus access to a cosy refreshment area with tea, coffee, and snacks. 💶Admission fee: €18 per person, valid for a single class or for the entire evening. - Payment by cash, card, or via Revolut. Discounted class packages are also available. 🅿️There is free parking (limited) (first come, first served) and paid parking available nearby. Holy Redeemer Parish Youth Centre Herbert Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow Eircode: A98 CX23 Organized by Lucia and Gerry Corresponding Academicians by the National Tango Academy of Argentina 🇦🇷 Join us!

**Hands in the Soil: Community Growing, Learning & Craic** This first gathering will be a relaxed mix of **hands-on garden work, shared learning, and good conversation**. It’s about getting together in a real space, doing something practical, and seeing what ideas and connections might grow from there. On the day, we’ll: * Get our **hands dirty** with some light garden work and soil prep * Do some **seed sowing** and talk about what grows well locally * **Make kombucha together** and chat about fermentation, food, and simple home practices * Share knowledge, questions, and experiences around growing food * Enjoy some **fellowship, chats, and a bit of craic** along the way.Alongside the practical side, we’ll also have an open, informal discussion about a bigger idea: * The possibility of **small community “park farms” or gardens** in underused green spaces around Dublin * What that might look like, what’s realistic, and whether others feel drawn to exploring it further There’s no pressure, no expertise required, and no expectation beyond showing up with curiosity and a willingness to pitch in. Whether you’re experienced with gardening or completely new, you’re very welcome. Bring clothes you don’t mind getting muddy, and if you have them, gloves. Everything else will be very low-key. This is just a **first step** — a chance to meet, work, talk, and see if there’s a shared appetite to keep growing something together.

Looking to connect with other young adults with food allergy? Join **Adulting with Allergies**, FARE’s social club for young adults 21 and up. **[Register Here](https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/adulting-allergies-young-adult-food-allergy-social-club)!** The goal of Adulting with Allergies is to create a space where young adults can connect, share experiences, and build community. Members can participate in quarterly virtual hangouts, as well as annual in-person events hosted in cities across the U.S. Our first **VIRTUAL** session will take place on **May 26 at 7 PM EST** and will focus on navigating food allergies in the workplace. Please note that there is no limit to number of attendees. If you're interested in registering, click the link above!

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Business Presentation** **Featuring James Norris, Founder of Squeegee Samurai** **Wednesday\, May 13 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us as we welcome **James Norris**, founder of **Squeegee Samurai**, to the 1 Million Cups Loudoun stage for a conversation on building a service-based business from the ground up. *** ## **About the Presenter** James Norris transitioned from a career in **cybersecurity compliance** into entrepreneurship, taking a hands-on approach to building a business from scratch. Initially exploring the acquisition of an existing company, he ultimately chose to **build his own window cleaning business** after recognizing the simplicity, consistency, and opportunity within the industry. His journey reflects a growing trend of entrepreneurs moving from corporate roles into tangible, service-based businesses with clear demand and scalable potential. *** ## **About the Business** Squeegee Samurai provides **professional window cleaning services for residential and commercial clients**, delivering immediate, visible results — what James calls *“clarity through pane.”* In an industry where the fundamentals haven’t changed, Squeegee Samurai focuses on **high-quality, traditional techniques** paired with strong customer experience and operational discipline. As a solo operator, James currently manages every aspect of the business — from marketing and pricing to service delivery, quality control, and operations — while laying the groundwork for future growth. *** ## **Who James Is Looking to Hear From** James would especially value feedback from: * Business owners who have scaled service-based businesses * Operators of route-based or recurring revenue businesses * Entrepreneurs who have transitioned from corporate roles to hands-on work * Founders who have built teams from a solo operation * Anyone with experience in pricing, local marketing, or service scaling *** ## **Current Business Focus & Challenge** James is in the **early growth stage**, focused on building a foundation for scale through recurring storefront contracts and refining his pricing model. He is seeking feedback on: * Pricing strategy in a competitive, price-sensitive market * Whether to display pricing publicly or use promotional strategies * When and how to invest in advertising (where, how much, and when) * Timing and approach to hiring and team building * Balancing market penetration with long-term profitability This is a critical stage where the right decisions can significantly impact long-term growth and scalability. *** ## **Why Attend?** * Gain insight into building a service business from the ground up * Provide feedback on pricing, marketing, and scaling strategy * Connect with entrepreneurs navigating similar growth stages * Be part of a practical, real-world business conversation *** ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **May 13** for coffee, connection, and a conversation around building, pricing, and scaling a service-based business. We look forward to seeing you there.

Social Sips & Bites family, Memorial Day weekend is calling and we’re bringing everyone together for a fun, relaxed picnic celebration with the SSB crew. Expect great food, sunshine, music, laughter, and that amazing Social Sips & Bites energy we all love. Bring your favorite dish to share with the group and your favorite drinks, and get ready for an afternoon of mingling, new friendships, and good vibes all around. This is the perfect chance to kick off summer with our incredible community. Contribution: $5 to help cover park setup and supplies. Please send a Venmo or Zelle to Judy Cheung before the picnic- by May 22nd. Her Venmo and Zelle infornation is in the sign up link. Her Zelle last four digits is 3353. Come hungry. Come social. Come ready for one of those classic SSB days where strangers become friends and friends become family. There is plenty of parking available and restrooms are also available at the park. Everyone should plan to bring their own beverages, a chair and a blanket if you wish. Please sign up on the link below to contribute help, food, and games. Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAAA628A7F8C34-62911568-social

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Business Presentation** **Featuring Aida Davalos, Founder of Argon Accounting** **Wednesday\, May 13 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us as we welcome **Aida Davalos**, founder of **Argon Accounting**, to the 1 Million Cups Loudoun stage for a thoughtful conversation around financial clarity, intentional growth, and building a relationship-driven business. *** ## **About the Presenter** Aida is a **first-generation college graduate with a master’s degree** and an entrepreneur at heart, inspired by her family’s business roots in Ecuador. With a strong background in **corporate accounting, financial operations, tax strategy, and advisory**, her career has been focused on helping businesses make smarter financial decisions and build sustainable foundations for growth. Over the past seven years, Aida has been growing her own **boutique accounting and tax practice organically**, built on trust, relationships, and practical, real-world financial guidance. She is also actively involved with **George Mason University**, mentoring students and supporting the next generation of professionals. *** ## **About the Business** Argon Accounting provides **accounting, bookkeeping, financial advisory, and tax services** designed to help small business owners and individuals feel confident and informed about their finances. Aida’s approach focuses on making financial information **clear, approachable, and actionable**, so clients can understand what their numbers are telling them — and use that insight to make better decisions for long-term growth. *** ## **Who Aida Is Looking to Hear From** Aida would especially value feedback from: * Small business owners and founders * Service-based business operators * Marketing and brand strategy professionals * Entrepreneurs who have grown beyond referral-based business * Individuals passionate about supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs and professionals *** ## **Current Business Focus & Challenge** Aida is in the **early stages of intentional growth**, focused on building a sustainable and well-positioned business. Her biggest challenge is **gaining visibility and attracting a consistent client base**, and she is seeking feedback around: * Clearly communicating her value to small business owners * Marketing her services effectively without relying on paid advertising * Building trust and credibility as a growing business * Expanding beyond word-of-mouth while maintaining strong relationships *** ## **Why Attend?** * Gain insight into building a service-based business with intention * Provide valuable feedback on marketing, positioning, and growth strategy * Connect with entrepreneurs focused on sustainable, relationship-driven growth * Be part of a meaningful, solutions-focused conversation *** ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **May 13** for coffee, connection, and a conversation about building financial clarity and growing a business with purpose. We look forward to seeing you there.

**Agenda :** * 4.45 to 5.00 PM ET: Food and Networking * 5.00 to 5.50 PM ET: "Build Intelligent Agents with Work IQ, Foundry IQ, Fabric IQ, and Copilot Studio" Hello Everyone! Please join us for our May 12th edition of the AI-ML MeetUp. **Please note this is an in-person meeting and light refreshments/food will be provided. You will need a government-issued ID to enter the facility.** **Title:** Build Intelligent Agents with Work IQ, Foundry IQ, Fabric IQ, and Copilot Studio **Description:** What if your AI agents truly understood how your business works, had instant access to trusted enterprise data, and could take meaningful action from end to end? In this session, we’ll cover how to build enterprise-ready AI agents that understand business context, use trusted data, and take real action. In this fast-paced session, we’ll bring Work IQ, Foundry IQ, and Fabric IQ together with Copilot Studio through best practices and live demos. Key Takeaways: \*Work IQ: Ground agents in real work, roles, and business processes \*Foundry IQ: Design and orchestrate intelligent agent behavior \*Fabric IQ: Power agents with secure, enterprise-grade data \*Copilot Studio: Bring it all together into an end-to-end intelligent agent **Location:** The meeting will be hosted in the Applied Information Sciences ( AIS ) office in Reston, at 11440 Commerce Park Dr # 600 · Reston, VA. The location is also right off the Silver Line metro's Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. **Parking:** Parking is paid and can be validated at the AIS office reception. We will meet in Room Lake Anne. We hope to see you all there!!!!

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Resource Presentation** **What You Really Need to Know from an HR Professional** **Presented by Donna Giarratana** **Wednesday\, May 27 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a practical and insightful resource presentation designed to help small business owners navigate one of the most critical — and often overlooked — areas of growth: **Human Resources**. *** ## **About the Session** As your business grows, so do the complexities of managing people, processes, and compliance. Many entrepreneurs wait too long to think about HR — and by the time they do, they’re already reacting instead of planning. In this session, **Donna Giarratana** will break down what small business owners *really* need to know about HR — in a way that is clear, actionable, and relevant to your stage of growth. This conversation is designed to help you move from uncertainty to confidence when it comes to building and managing your team. *** ## **What You’ll Learn** * When it’s the right time to hire * How to set your business up for success before bringing on employees * Why HR matters — even for small businesses * Common pitfalls and how to avoid them * The foundational HR knowledge every business owner should have *** ## **Who Should Attend** * Entrepreneurs preparing to hire their first employee * Small business owners currently managing a team * Founders looking to strengthen operations and compliance * Anyone who wants to build a business with a strong, scalable foundation *** ## **Why Attend?** * Gain clarity on one of the most important aspects of business growth * Learn how to avoid costly mistakes before they happen * Ask questions and get real-world insight from an HR professional * Walk away with practical knowledge you can apply immediately *** ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **May 27** for coffee, connection, and a conversation that will help you build your business the right way from the inside out. We look forward to seeing you there.

Ready for a little ocean air and a break from the routine? Join Social Sips & Bites for a relaxed weekend visit to the Ocean City Beach , think sunshine, salty air, casual walks, great food, and even better company. This is an easygoing getaway where you can come for the beach, the conversations, or just the change of scenery. Whether you want to dip your toes in the water, enjoy a long walk along the shore, or hang out and unwind, this trip is all about enjoying the moment together. If you’re interested, let us know and we’ll share more details soon.