[UG-ADMINS] Alcohol and meetups [was: Re: Nomad PHP]

Yes, we generally provide beer. In fact, when we follow WordPress DC, we benefit from any leftovers from their meetup and don't have to buy any. As long as we're low-key about it, the host doesn't care. They have wedding receptions and other functions in that space with alcohol, and their only rule is no kegs, because it implies a certain class of alcohol consumer who is more likely to do stupid and destructive stuff and get them in trouble with local officials and the neighborhood.

In deference to the beer aficionados in our group, we generally have microbrews in bottles. However, I usually only have 12-18 of them (i.e., slightly less than one per person), and then some of us may go to the bar next door.

If I'm presenting, I'm usually drinking a beer, though I don't consume much of it until the Q&A.

But as I've said, some people react negatively to beer, as if it's a sign that it's a social and not a serious meeting. We also have two additional meetups each month that are specifically social, and held in bars (though that serve good food, so there's no requirement to drink alcohol). I'm debating about removing those from Meetup and simply mentioning them through the list, as people seem to think that we're mostly about those and don't realize the main meeting has presentations. Then again, I see some people at those meetings (which are more geographically distributed) who rarely/never show at the main meeting.

On Apr 9, 2013, at 7:30 PM, John Congdon <[email protected]> wrote:

> Interesting... do you provide beer?  Or are people allowed to bring?  So far, the places I have hosted have been worried about having it on premise.
> 
> --
> 
> John Congdon
> e: [email protected]
> t: @sdphp
> f: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SanDiegoPUG/ 
> i: irc://irc.freenode.net/sdphp
> 
> For meetup information: http://www.meetup.com/SanDiegoPHP
> 
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> On Apr 9, 2013, at 1:44 PM, Sandy Smith <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
>> It's tough to break past the 30-per-meetup number. We have close to 900 on Meetup, but our actual meetings are anywhere from 4-60 people, averaging in the teens and twenties. DC also has the large-area problem, plus we often tie for the nation's worst traffic, and there are a LOT of other technology meetups.
>> 
>> While we always have beer, that's proven to be less of a draw, especially for new members. I'm going to be trying for a food sponsor so we can have pizza, which I hope will draw more people reliably.
>> 
>> 
>> On Apr 9, 2013, at 10:55 AM, Tim Lytle <[email protected]> wrote:
>> 
>>> Our local group is pretty small (we have ~60 meembers, with a handful at
>>> each meetup). If I weren't organizing and trying to grow it,
>>> I'd definitely be joining in Nomad PHP (I still probably will).
>>> 
>>> Like Adam, I'm wondering if there's any way for this to help smaller groups
>>> (but hey, I'd be thrilled with an average of 30 members) - as after a while
>>> hearing from the same local people is a bit much for both the speakers and
>>> the listeners.
>>> 
>>> Tim
>> 
>> --
>> Sandy Smith - http://musketeers.me/
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