NYC Meetups (including Brooklyn)

[Jeffrey Frankens]

Hello everyone,

If you haven't noticed the Brooklyn group has been changed to New York City Aid Workers group.

From previous knowledge, the Brooklyn Aid Workers Group planned to meet once a month? If possible I'd like to create a meet up every two weeks. One would rotate (across the Burroughs of NYC) and out of tradition the other meet up would happen in Brooklyn. I think this would be a great way to keep the tradition of the Brooklyn AidSource group while also making it easier for other AidSource members to meet up with us.

I know that the previous group was discussing the best day of the week for a meet up. Did everyone decide on Thursdays? Let me know the decision you guys came up with, if possible.

Best,

Jeff

[Malcolm Johnstone]

NYC huh? big time.

[Zehra Rizvi]

OI!  Our group got taken over!!  I quite liked our little Bklyn posse...

But given that I work at grand central, happy to meet up with new yorkers as well. 

Any day works for me as long as I am not traveling. 

x

[Jeffrey Frankens]

Brooklyn will always be in my heart. ;) 

Was there a date for another meet up yet?

[Zehra Rizvi]

No, but set one...in Manhattan even...week after next? x

[Emily Stallings]

Maybe we should have opened this up for a dialogue before making a sweeping change. 

[Malcolm Johnstone]

I liked the small time feel of Brooklyn Aid Workers too. And having been to each meeting, could say it was working well. Occupy?

[Emily Stallings]

I really appreciate Jeff's inclusive spirit, but perhaps it would be better to keep the Brooklyn Aid meetup and then have a separate NYC meetup. People could of course (!) be members of both, could cross-post events, etc.

There are so many events for international development/aid workers that already happen in Manhattan, it's kind of nice to build a tight community near home.

Thoughts!

[Zehra Rizvi]

That's why I asked for a Brooklyn Aid workers group....(and got one!).  I feel like we were always marginalized at tweet ups etc etc and I wanted to make sure WE had a space...I second Emily's suggestion of having two groups...one for us Brooklynites and, as I have mentioned at our past meet ups, people in Manhattan and other places, feel free to make your OWN groups, and take initiative like we Brooklynites did.  Love you, Jeff, you know I do, but I did start the Brooklyn group with an intended and thoughtful purpose...

[Alexandra Mir]

oh, it's not like the city guys would cross the bridge anyway :=)

Anyhow, I also support Emily's suggestion to keep a monthly Brooklyn-only group. Any suggestions for date and place? Who's taking charge?

And NYC meet up, any leads?

[Jeffrey Frankens]

I plan on making a new thread for the next Brooklyn meet up so expect that in a couple of hours.

[Jeffrey Frankens]

Hey Emily,

Thanks for your feedback. Let me try to address some of your concerns:

1) I actually originally suggested both options of creating a new group or simply changing the name of this group. The admins decided to change the name. I didn't think this would be considered that drastic of a change (and I dont think the admins did either) but apparently I was wrong and I apologize for that.

2) The Brooklyn meet ups will still be happening at the same frequency and I hope even more in the future. At the very first Brooklyn meet up we decided to meet the first week of every month. I was hoping to keep that once a month Brooklyn meet up while have a second meet up that happened on the third week of the month that rotates through the whole NYC area. I am part of another group that does that and it works out really, really well. 

3) Its important to remember that these groups aren't just for meet ups. There meant to be a place where we can list events, where new people can ask questions, and just a place of general community online.

As for my opinion....I dont think we need two groups. The way AidSource (or Ning more specifically) is set up can be confusing enough for people and having to join and keep up with two groups can be too much trouble for people. I want this to be as user friendly as possible. We have a great Brooklyn group and I dont think a name change will change that.

I want to emphasize that we didn't plan to move things to Manhattan. I don't even live or work in Manhattan. 

In the end its the admins decision. I've sent a message to J. In other news start thinking about where you want to meet up in Brooklyn the week after next. :)

[Malcolm Johnstone]

So, these options.. are they still on the table? Jeff? Perhaps while we all consider them we should change the name back?