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

I started this Waltham Meetup group 8 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 nearby 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 you can build meaningful friendships, or just have a good time socializing. In today’s busy world, in-person connections can be rare, so let’s make it easier and more fun to meet new people nearby!

### 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 FB group—no idea is too small!
✅ Volunteer to host or co-host events when you feel ready and inspired

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

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:

• Meetup 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, depending on how many events we host. Since we offer more than one event 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 Meetup organizer subscription so the group can continue running long-term.

Exclusive benefits – Members gain access to a private Facebook and Heylo group for ongoing discussions, spontaneous get-togethers, and planning future events together.

Where does the money go?
First, it helps cover the Meetup 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://docs.google.com/document/d/1FV7yeqGtBc6kV7J78f6Ymz5Hp9ImqELLt7JPScO31Z4/edit?usp=drivesdk

Some FAQ’s about the group and details in general:

A. A picture may be taken of our event by attending our Meetup event you consent to it being taken and posted only to our Meetup and private FB group.

B. Member Photos: We require profile photos of yourself in order to be accepted into the group. This helps event organizers identify you and find you during events and be able to help you out should you need help finding the group.

C. Refund Policy:
1. Events with a fee of less than $5:
Please note that the fee for this event is non-refundable, even if someone else takes your spot. This small fee helps the Meetup organizer cover the $380 membership cost and serves as a thank-you for their time and effort in organizing these events. It also helps ensure that those who RSVP are genuinely interested and committed to attending, reducing "no shows" and last-minute cancellations after reservations have been made.
Thank you for understanding and supporting the group!

2. Events with a fee greater than $5: These would usually involve ticketed events. The general policy is if the Organizer/Host can get their money back, you’ll get your money back - if you timely canceled. Once an event location has been paid, however, many times they won’t issue a refund. If they don’t refund us, we can’t refund you regardless of how far in advance you canceled. That said, sometimes a refund can be issued IF you cancel at least a week in advance AND someone takes your spot. If you want to request a refund, message the event host via Meetup to discuss. Please note, if you cancel the day before or the day of an event, there are no refunds - regardless of the reason and regardless if someone takes your spot.

D. No show policy: we understand things unexpected things happen, and plans can change. Organizers take time and effort out of their free time to plan these activities for everyone and plan around a certain number of people and it's disrespectful to them to be left waiting for people who aren't coming. They can also run into reservation issues with restaurants that have been kind enough to accommodate for us. That's why we politely ask everyone to change their RSVP to “no” if they can't make it or message the organizer ahead of time. We'll implement a 3-strike no-show rule before removing a member from the group.