the pandemic churn at Meetup

[mellowtigger]

Over the years, I've been the online leader for 2 different groups at Meetup.com. It's a great place to organize calendars of activity, and it's free to use for attendees. They charge meeting organizers for the service, but it's way too expensive for what it costs Meetup to provide that service. They charged US$150/year for each group, the last I knew a year ago. That's too rich for my blood, so I eventually stopped paying both of them.

Twin Cities Powershell Automation User Group is looking for a new leader, but it may not get one. It'd be a shame to lose it. I created that group back in 2014 October 14. (I got the date from the earliest copy at the wayback machine.) The powershell group had previously used EventBrite for RSVPs, but it wasn't reaching a large audience. Attendance definitely improved after switching to Meetup. I paid for that group for several years, before handing off the finances of it to Tim Curwick, the group president at the time. I hope it finds a new leader, but it seems unlikely. This group focuses on in-person meetings (with pizza!) rather than online meetings, which are available everywhere. There are probably more people like me who simply don't attend group events any more due to health risks.

Star Citizens of Minnesota found someone else to take over, which is good. I paid the bills for a few years, which is too much money gone. But I still haven't attended any of their indoor events since the pandemic started. This group is based on the Star Citizen game which has been in development since 2012, and still isn't in release yet, although some functions are playable (if you're on Windows).

I received the notice today that Twin Cities EcoClub is also looking for a new leader. I attended only one of their events. We listened to the person organizing the hydroponics container at the North Market grocery. (Aside: I know I edited photos of that event. Did I really never post it? I certainly can't find it now in Dreamwidth searches.) I remember that one was post-pandemic, because we stayed in a large spaced-apart circle outdoors to listen.

I know I've seen notices of other groups losing their leadership. Meetup will eventually delete the groups if nobody else steps up to pay the bills. It's sad to see the groups disappear, but maybe Meetup will finally stop "printing money" and reduce their rates (by a lot) to something more reasonable.

Comments

[shimmerwine]

I had no idea Meetup charges now! And an exorbitant amount, at that. Back when I started our local Firefly meetup, it was free, thankfully, or it wouldn't have happened.