Friends Beyond Boston ~ Waltham Social 20's to 40's

We're moving and excited about all the new possibilities for our community! Feel free to join either/both and check us out.

Join us at: https://heylo.group/walthamsocial 💕

I started this Waltham community group 9 years ago to create a friendly, local space for people to meet, socialize, and build real connections close to home. It’s been my passion to keep this group going and to bring people together in a fun, relaxed environment.

Visit us at: walthamsocial.com

Who Is This Group For?

This group is for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s living in Waltham, Newton, and surrounding areas who want to:

✔️ Connect and make new friends without the hassle of going into downtown Boston
✔️ Explore local restaurants, pubs, and outdoor activities
✔️ Enjoy walks, hikes, kayaking, and seasonal outings
✔️ People who truly want to be part of creating a community
✔️ Socialize in a welcoming, easygoing environment

I'm slightly outside the age range — can I still join?

We’re not super strict, but we do ask that you be honest when answering the membership questions.

This group is geared toward people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s because most members are in that stage of life. If you're just outside that range but genuinely feel you'd fit in socially, that’s totally fine. What matters most is that you're a good match for the vibe of the group.

Please don’t fudge your age just to join, we want to keep things open and authentic. It helps us keep the group comfortable, relatable, and welcoming for everyone.

### Our Goal

We aim to create a space where people can build meaningful, real-life friendships through consistent, in-person connection.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, forming genuine relationships can be difficult, especially close to home. This group exists to make that easier by bringing people together in a way that feels natural, low-pressure, and welcoming.

More than just attending events, our goal is to build a community where members contribute, show up for each other, and help shape the experience over time.

### Why Join Us?

Our events are casual, low-pressure, and designed to help you connect naturally with others.

Whether you’re new to the area or older than the typical age range, if you’re friendly, respectful, and want to be part of the community, you’re welcome here.

We value members who engage honestly and positively; that’s what keeps this group fun and inclusive for everyone.

### How You Can Help Keep the Group Alive

This group thrives when members share in the fun and the effort! If you love the community and want it to keep growing, here are simple ways to help:

✅ Invite fellow members to events that you're interested in to foster a sense of community
✅ Suggest event ideas anytime on the discussions tab or through the Member Event Ideas Box on the Heylo group Community Resources Chat, no idea is too small!
✅ Volunteer to host, co-host events, or volunteer to help behind the scenes when you feel ready.
There are forms with different community roles in the Community Resources Chat

I’m here to support you in hosting, no pressure or heavy lifting required. Hosting can be as easy or involved as you want it to be, and even occasional help makes a big difference.💕

P.S. We also have a sister group for Latin@s, providing a space for Latin@s in the area to connect. https://www.meetup.com/raiceslatinaswaltham

### Membership Requirements

• A clear, identifiable profile photo (so the host can recognize you at events for safety)
• Completion of membership questions
• Taking a moment to review the group’s About page or website (walthamsocial.com) to ensure it’s a good fit for what you’re looking for

If you prefer not to display a public photo, please message the organizer to request the group’s official email, and send a photo for verification before your request can be approved.

Member Dues: Why the $15 Annual Dues?

Your one-time yearly contribution of only $15 helps keep the group going and adds value for everyone. After processing fees, the group receives $13.38 per member, which supports:

• Hosting Platform organizer fees (so the group can exist!)
• Building a reserve to support current and future activities
• Occasional shared appetizers or desserts at group meals (after meeting the organizer fee goal for the year)
• The ability to reserve private rooms at restaurants when possible
• Supplies for events like name tags, game night materials, or special surprises
• Creating a better, more consistent experience for all members

Your support helps ensure the group stays active, welcoming, and fun, now and in the future.

Why the change?

We've switched to a $15 annual membership fee to make participation more affordable for everyone. Instead of paying $3 per event, the $15 annual payment provides access to all events for the year, which breaks down to just around $1.25 per month.

We host at least 2 events per month (often more), which means your cost comes out to about $0.63 per event, and even less whenever we have more events on the calendar.
Since we offer multiple events each month, the value really adds up, and you’ll be able to attend as many events as you like without paying per event!

Encourages commitment – Helps reduce no-shows and ensures events are filled with people who truly want to connect.

More sustainable – Covers the Hosting Platform organizer subscription so the group can continue running long-term.

Where does the money go?
First, it helps cover the organizer subscription ($380/year) to keep the group running.

After covering that cost, extra funds can contribute to improving events, providing supplies, and building a reserve for current and future activities.

Group Expectations & Community Guidelines
To help keep our group safe, respectful, and welcoming for all, we’ve put together a shared document outlining our community guidelines.
Please take a moment to review them before attending events:

https://www.notion.so/Community-Guidelines-for-Friends-Beyond-Boston-Waltham-Social-20-s-to-40-s-2a93ed28e6d780e7a7e8c70b371a3439?