Keys to Successfully Starting and Growing a Local Meetup

GETTING AWAY FROM ROCKET SCIENCE:
Keys to Successfully
Starting and Growing
a Local Meetup
@liamdempsey

It’s Really Not Rocket Science
@liamdempsey

Like the Rules of Life
The rules are simple.
It’s following them that
proves the real challenge.
@liamdempsey

Mindset is
everything
@liamdempsey

The organizers must be the
servants of the group.
The lead organizer must be the
chief servant of the group.
MINDSET IS EVERYTHING
@liamdempsey

The chief servant must be
the most dedicated to the
health, wellbeing and value
of the group.
@liamdempsey

We must position our mental
perspective to be one of
service to others …
… and one of service to the
group and its needs.
@liamdempsey

Organizers can get value,
even profit, via the group …
… but the primary focus has
to be the value the group
brings to others.
@liamdempsey

Start with what you have: Build
from an existing community,
even if it’s small.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Survey the group: Let people
share in shaping the group’s
purpose and goals.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Be very consistent: Meet
regularly at predetermined
times and locations.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Be welcoming: Wear name
tags, personally greet
newcomers, work hard to
remember people’s names.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Eat together: A shared meal
creates bonds and friendships
in uniquely human ways. And
not just standing around eating
pizza.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Communicate early: Make
sure people have time to see
messages at their schedule.
Send often, and in different
mediums.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Don’t ask for volunteers: Ask
individual people to perform
specific tasks.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Share online: Post photos of
your gatherings and use
social media to let other
communities learn about
your group.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Involve the group: As the
community grows, run key
decisions past the group for
input and guidance.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

Reach out to neighbors: To
diversify your group, travel
first to other communities
before inviting others to join
you.
@liamdempsey
PRACTICAL STEPS

The voice of every person in
the group matters. That voice
should be heard, and should be
encouraged to be heard.
@liamdempsey
KEY MANTRAS

Never attribute to malice that
which is adequately explained
by stupidity.
– Robert J. Hanlon
Scranton, Pennsylvania
@liamdempsey
KEY MANTRAS

Communication leads to
community, that is, to
understanding, intimacy, and
mutual valuing.
– Rollo May
@liamdempsey
KEY MANTRAS

QUESTIONS?
@liamdempsey
Philly ‘burbs WordPress Meetup
@burbswp | #burbswp

Keys to Successfully Starting and Growing a Local Meetup

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