I have been the organizer of the Cincinnati Yorkiemeetup group. com (
www.meetup .com /Cincinnati / Yorkies . I also post all my information about meetups on Yorkietalk for Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky regionals area. Believe it or not there is a monthly fee to be an organizer of a meetup group.
I did not mind a startup fee and continuing it for a while, but I am going to have to drop out as the organizer very soon after I get everybody's email written down (maybe by the end of the month)so I can email people without paying for it.
I have had 3 Yorkiemeetups in the past 3 years in the Summer. Different months and Saturdays and Sundays once at my house and the past two have been a park near my house in Deer Park. The reason of quitting meetup.com is not just about the money. I have spent a lot of time trying to get a big meetup going also $$$. I had my 3rd and probably last meetup today. My Husband and I always donate the KFC ( which was my idea and wishs) and everyone brings a dish etc etc and living so close I get there early bring extra chairs, paper cups , napkins , pop etc and can go get anything we need very easily. I am not faulting anyone but the last 3 years the attendance of my meetups has gone from 15 to 10 and the 3rd one today only 1 person showed up., I also realize there are last minute cancellation because of sick dogs or kids etc and that is to be expected. . I realize everyone can not always attend every meetups that come up. But for just one person to be there today with her Yorkie was very embarrasing to me. She is also a Yorkietalk member and lives in Northern Ky about 30 min for me. My Husband and I enjoyed meeting this person and her Yorkie and we all had a great time and I think our meeting will develop into a real friendship and it will be nice to have a "Yorkie " friend so close to me to do things with. That was the main reason I started the meetup group just to meet other Yorkie owners to do things with and have things in common get advice from etc.
I have friends that live outside the Detroit area and there is a big meetup group of Yorkie owners who actually ATTEND the meet ups (over 30 people) and my Husaband and I are going to Michigan AGAIN this year for the Yorkiemeet up on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend near Detroit at a dear friend of mine house who has three Yorkies. We are fortunate enough to be able to stay with her this year again and there will be overy 30 people there with their Yorkies Yorkie (s) and some Husbands. My Husband loves the meet ups and it will be nice to see our friends again and meet new ones.I would pay for a hotel room if needed !!!!
I am writting today not to complain but to try to find a SOLUTION to have the meetups grow in number with each one and to get help organizing them. I am just looking for suggestions...
If someone could plan a meet up that was centrally located in the Tri State area and really get support and a good attendence growing with each meetup that would be wonderful . I would plan to be there, help and give $$ if needed to help the hosts. But for now, I am closing this letter with tears because after almost 3 months of plannning ,emailing etc and getting the spot at a very nice park with a shelter and a bathroom in Cincinnati near my house (on the East side of Cincincinnati ) and to only have one person show up was a big let down for me and my Husband.