Orientation: Meetups

Setting Up Meetups

All public meetups must be free to attend-- this is a not-for-profit space, meetups are for education.
No recurring meetups (its better to post monthly based on how meetup.com works-- automatic announcements are confusing/spamming) - exceptions to this rule must be approved at a member meeting.
Advertising the space's address for any events should be agreed with other members prior to execution.
Events can only be scheduled by, or in coordination with, paid-up members in good standing.
If you want to set up a new event that will be attended by non-members, please run it by the membership in #general on Keybase at least one week in advance.
Once you're "approved" to host the event, you can find info on how to post it to our calendar and Meetup account below-- you're likely to get higher attendance the earlier you advertise.
Meetup.com users must get onboarding from Alex,[.. Who else?] If it’s a one-off just ask someone to post it for you.

When you host a meetup in the space you are representing the space to the public so a minimum level of work is expected.
You must be at the space for your meetup at least 30 minutes early.
You are responsible for cleaning the room before your event.
Prop the door using the deadbolt, weather and safety permitting-- often newcomers will trickle in early.
Verify that each person that comes down the stairs is either a member or here for the meetup.
You are responsible for cleaning the room after your event and putting everything back where you found it.
Ideally, get the projector going, and show onscreen the wifi login and commonly asked questions [we'll set this up soon].
Either just before beginning, or at the very end, describe Decentral Commons, our mission, and membership-- offer to take down info for Keybase invites, try to seek donations.

Break the rules twice in a row and receive a temporary ban (2 month) on organizing meetups.

Log into the Decentral meetup account. If you don't have the credentials, ask an admin.
Follow this video tutorial. Note: for the address, use 436 w Pender unless the event is somewhere else.
If you want to crosspost the event to any other meetups we have access to, watch this video tutorial.
Always, always, always make sure you export the event into our dctrl commons google calendar. If the event does not end up in there, we cannot guarantee that you can use the space-- if someone else books it following protocol, their event will take precedence for the front room. If you do not have access to the calendar ask an admin to add you. But if you are an active member you should already be in there.

Some of the awesome existing meetup groups to reach out to/cross-promote: