A checklist for meetup organisers

So many Meetups — yet what if there isn’t one covering your topic? How might you set up your own? Having co-run three different ones in the last year, here’s a brief checklist that’ll help you save time (and some maybe even some tears).

It is built around extending a global movement of get-togethers called #IAFmeetup, first pioneered by the good people at IAF England & Wales - and now taking the world by storm. But you could also fashion your own if there’s a gap in what’s offered locally. That said, don’t reinvent the wheel unless you have to!

Here’s the above checklist with a bit more context and detail:

Get inspired

• Search #IAFmeetup
• Talk to existing Meetups organisers — they’re friendly and there’s learning to be had.
• Align with the vision & mission for your undertaking — in the case of #IAFmeetup it is the vision, mission & values of the International Association of Facilitators.

Find a good spot — for example

• Is it big enough for my group?
• Is it small enough for the right atmosphere?
• Is it quiet enough to enable discussion?

Pick a format — for example

• So many to choose from — some ideas here…
• Something different? (Do share).

Get the word out

• Set up event on Meetup.com
• Promote on Twitter etc.

Hold the event

• Here’s a tri-fold we use as a sign — as one idea to help people find the event
• Share, learn, have some fun!

Get feedback — for example:

• What was good?
• What was difficult?
• What might we do differently?
• Check feedback on Meetup.com

Share your learning

• On your own blog, Twitter, Medium etc. using #IAFmeetup etc.
• By pitching an article to a publication, for example IAF Global Flipchart…
• Contribute to the IAF Methods Library…

Got more ideas to add? Do share…