Err well I'd say wait till your a but more known before going and arranging a mini munch.
thanks venus and claire (I hope I spelt that right)!
I agree... We need to hang around more - obviously... but its just one of those things that you get thinking about and it bugs you...
so more to see if its as easy as it seems...
thanks for the advice
Sini
x
I would suggest going to other munches etc first and seeing what and how things are arranged.
I agree with the above advice. As I am currently organizing a mini-munch I'd like to add my insight.
First thing is for you both to become established on the site, either in the forums or the chatroom. Get to know the peeps here over time and then attend a few munches yourselves, where you will finally get to meet the people you have been talking to here. From there you will most likely get invites to parties and socials and increase your circle of contacts. Once you have established yourselves and people know you, they will feel more inclined to attend a munch you may happen to organize.
The munches themselves are social occasions, with people attending from all walks of life and professions. Therefore security is a major consideration and it's important that you make certain that those who attend the munch are genuine and not members of the press or other undesirables. SH is a community and the munches are where that community comes together (no pun intended). It's important therefore, to invite only those who are regular users of the site; those who have taken time to get themselves known and have shown a genuine interest in SH and it's community and the swinging lifestyle in general.
Having participated in the forums or in the chatroom, members will already 'know' one another or will most likely know each others names when they attend the munch. This enables members to socialize more effectively and is one of the reasons why the munches are successful and enjoyable occasions. Everybody knows everyone, more or less and this makes for a great party.
When organizing a munch it is important to find a suitable venue, ideally one in which the members can have exclusive access to a private room or area. The larger munches take place in clubs or pubs restricted to SH members only. The mini-munches are more low key affairs generally taking place in pubs in which other members of the public may be present. Ideally, having an area of the pub designated for sole use by SH members is an ideal situation, as is the case with the Leicester Mini-Munch I am organizing at present. Having such an area ensures more security and helps munch attendees to feel more comfortable.
Many of the social meetings in pubs are quite informal and may take less organizing, depending on size of those expected to attend and aforementioned security issues. However, if the guest list is large, then a list of those attending should be maintained and used on the day/evening of the munch to check off the names. This means you will have to find out which members are confirming their invite a week or so before the event, so you will have an idea about who is attending. You will also have had to research and find out about hotels where people can stay and let those who want this information have it. Then you will have to send out individual PM's with the details of where the munch is to take place. This is normally done a week before the date of the munch. It is also important to tell people that they must not disclose the information of the whereabouts of the venue to others not connected or invited. Once again, this is obviously for security reasons.
Once the munch is underway, it's important for the organizer(s) to make sure things are running smoothly and to be on hand to help those who may require it.
Hope that gives you some idea what's involved in organizing a munch and serves as a guideline should you wish to do so in the future.
LC
Mav&Sini,
I live in Reading. I'm glad at least two other SH members do to! It gets a bit lonely down here sometimes, lol.
I would certainly be interested in attending a Munch in Reading, if one were to be organised at some stage. I have been to a couple of Munches (Essex and Leicester) and I appreciate the organisation and work that goes into them. I agree with the comments made on this thread in this regard.
If you would like to meet up with me for a drink and chat, PM me. Otherwise I hope to meet you at a Munch sometime.
Hi Mav and Sini,
It's the thought that counts, and it's very thoughtful and enterprising of you to think of organising some sort of social meet. However it really is true what some of the others say, that it's better that you go to at least a few other SH meets or munches and become known to people here (it won't take long I assure you, people are very friendly right from the start) before you think of organising anything yourselves.
I have been a member on this site for over a year, and in this time there have been a steady stream of new or newish people with similar ideas, and the response from established members is similar every time. It's obvious you are perfectly genuine, unlike some of the others who came with very dubious schemes, some to promote their own egos, some to promote their "mate's" pub or club.
There are now more social meets organised than ever before on here, you may have to travel a distance (and many of us do), but hope you manage to make it to one before too long.
Good luck,
Mike.