For this, the final in our three part series about Meetup and those who organize there [see part one and two here], we asked our surveyed organizers how they have carried their online experience to their offline efforts. What perspective has their online organizational experience given them with regard to their overall experience as leaders and activists? Has their experience on Meetup made a lasting impression on their approach to action? Here, they share their experiences on the site, how they have accordingly synthesized and processed their experiences, and why Meetup continues to be relevant in how they get stuff done.

Post-Meetup perspective:

For most of the organizers surveyed, the range of perspective they claim to have gained from their Meetup-based experiences varies from person to person. Donna Orlando of the San Diego Libertarians sees Meetup as a tool, not something from which she has gained substantial perspective, and she has thus used it accordingly to put her agenda into place. David Sutherland of Vegan Chicago has had the converse experience and explains that without it, he wouldn’t be organizing. He says, “[Meetup] does most of the heavy lifting and most of the repetitive tasks that I would otherwise have no time for [...Thanks to the site] I have a strict formula that has allowed me to do one vegan dineout event a month since 2003—all in my spare time. People seem to like to be able to come out without having agendas but at the same time they don’t want a democratic approach. When we first started we voted on venues and such but that was way too much work and people wouldn’t come after all of that. Benign dictatorships are the way to go.

Paul Davis of Austin Revolution [for Ron Paul] has been similarly moved, crediting Meetup for having impacted him greatly. He has learned that as an organizer it is important to get volunteers to “work within their areas of strength and to keep focused.” Other important factor learned by organizers is the importance of preparation, according to Dexter Jones of Tampa Bay Black Professionals. “Nearly all of the work necessary to have a successful meeting happens before anyone ever shows up,” he explains. Citing possible drama, trust issues, greed and other elements, Timothy Tipton, North Denver Medical Marijuana Discussion Group says that organization is not easy. But, he says of his experience, these elements fade over time.

Meetup in real life:

Organizers also carry their Meetup experiences into their real-life organizational experiences. David Sutherland, for one, has learned that “Social organizing really is like herding cats,” and that it’s best to not expect volunteer activists to RSVP or to read carefully crafted emails. Despite Sutherland’s lowered expectation with regard to communication, Brett Mandel of Philadelphia Tax Reform has picked up on a new appreciation for understanding the importance of clear communication.

Finally, Meetup organizers unanimously agree that they have been particularly touched by their experiences with the site. David Sutherland is now fostering several vegan meetups outside of Chicago and he is excited about the connections that he has made as he meets other vegan activists that drop into his meetings while they travel. Paul Davis is proud of and excited about the role he plays in “coordinating freedom fighters,” while other organizers are similarly excited about their participation in growing a social exchange around a cause. Collin of Miami Critical Mass is most touched by his group’s experience putting together a “ride for peace,” which helped to provide dozens of bikes for dozens of the poorest kids in Miami and access to classes on bike safety. Further, he sites political advances made in the town as a result of his meetings. Donna Orlando found love in one of her groups.

And in the end…

Overall, the organizers that we have spoken with are satisfied with their places in the community. To be fair (and accurate), we have sought out presently active Meetup organizers, making this a far more anecdotal than survey than a scientific one with regard to user experiences on the site. Organizers’ overall experiences, however, have been positive. To those we spoke with, Meetup has been used as a tool for some, an inspiration for others, and had a generally positive impact on all.

Do tell – What has your experience with Meetup as a website and meetups as a phenomenon been?

-Filed in People