The document provides tips for starting and growing a local Meetup group. It emphasizes that the organizer's mindset should be one of serving the group and its members. The rules are simple but require diligent execution. Key steps include building on an existing community, surveying members for input on goals, meeting regularly at consistent times and locations, welcoming newcomers, sharing meals together, consistent communication, involving members in decisions, and reaching out to diverse neighbors. The voice of each member should be encouraged and heard.

1. GETTING AWAY FROM ROCKET SCIENCE:
Keys to Successfully
Starting and Growing
a Local Meetup
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2. It’s Really Not Rocket Science
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3. Like the Rules of Life
The rules are simple.
It’s following them that
proves the real challenge.
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4. Mindset is
everything
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5. The organizers must be the
servants of the group.
The lead organizer must be the
chief servant of the group.
MINDSET IS EVERYTHING
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6. The chief servant must be
the most dedicated to the
health, wellbeing and value
of the group.
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MINDSET IS EVERYTHING

7. We must position our mental
perspective to be one of
service to others …
… and one of service to the
group and its needs.
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MINDSET IS EVERYTHING

8. Organizers can get value,
even profit, via the group …
… but the primary focus has
to be the value the group
brings to others.
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MINDSET IS EVERYTHING

9. Practical
steps
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10. Start with what you have: Build
from an existing community,
even if it’s small.
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PRACTICAL STEPS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23. QUESTIONS?
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Philly ‘burbs WordPress Meetup
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