Hello North Devon Friend,
I appreciate that this message is long, but I encourage you to read to the end.
Better still, especially if North Devon Friends is important to you, why not get yourself your favourite drink, and take a time-out to read it!
UPDATE
It has been a while since I provided an update of how North Devon Friends is doing, as it has been ticking over well, and growing steadily. In fact, if you haven’t seen, our membership has grown to over 670! Thank you all for your support.
I hope YOU have taken the opportunity over the last couple of years to attend a number of North Devon Friends events, and in so doing, have had some great times, have made a number of new friends, whilst doing things YOU enjoy.
You may have even found more subtle, and potentially more important, benefits too. These would have been through North Devon Friends being able to provide you the opportunity, and to encourage you to break new ground and to try something new.
You may have found reduced anxiety, reduced perceived loneliness, or simply a feeling of belonging to a fun, social community.
Many, including myself, have benefitted in some way from the above.
Some have even found new ‘customers’, or other help for your own small business through North Devon Friends. This has been for a wide variety of both goods and services.
Maybe you or someone you know, has benefitted in this way too…
ARE YOU AWARE?
Over the last year or so, I have received a number of comments that suggest some members believe that Meetup is a free platform. For a group our size, it isn’t!
It generates costs in both time and money.
In the case of the financial costs for using the platform, I have picked these up from the beginning, as I did not want this to limit the growth of North Devon Friends. The more of us there are, the greater variety of events we can put on, and the more chance there is for each of us to find the real friends we are searching for!
As for the time, it has only been the goodwill of a number of individuals, along with myself, that have been willing to step forward and organise events, for all to enjoy.
In my own case, after a round two years, and around ten hours working on North Devon Friends every week, (for putting on multiple events each month, managing the group, responding to questions, and so on), I could no longer afford the amount of time it was costing me. Around six months ago, I had to take more of a back seat.
I still want North Devon Friends to continue and thrive for a long time to come, so I have been looking for a way forward.
CAN YOU HELP?
I now come to the specific reason for this message, do YOU want North Devon Friends to continue in it’s current form?
If you do, I invite YOU to contribute in some way.
Thank you to all those who already do!
TIME
You may have noticed that whereas we used to typically have around 100 upcoming events in the diary at any time, and around 30 – 40 events per month, over the last couple of months, this has significantly reduced.
If the numbers continue to fall, there will become a point that the group is no longer viable.
Alternatively, imagine how many events we would have to choose from if each of us Organised just one event a month!
If YOU would like to step forward and help organise events, please get in touch with me, and we can work out how best you can help. Organising individual events is not usually too onerous, and I like to leave a rather generous ‘free reign’ with regard to what events are put on, so you could have exactly the events you want!
I would encourage you to aim to put on a minimum of one event per month. This is so that you can be recognised as an Organiser, and it will be easier for me to keep you in the loop.
The events you organise can be anything, from a local walk, to a meal, a visit to a particular activity, place or event, or to an idea just to meet up for some fun, such as running a games night, or teaching us some circus skills! You could also possibly introduce the membership to a past time you enjoy such as singing, dancing, or a form of exercise.
On the other hand, it could be as simple as hosting a pub get together once a month. If you were planning on going anyway, it shouldn’t be a big deal! And, as a bonus, you will probably end up with a few more friends than you would have done otherwise!
Alternatively, your support would still be appreciated if you would like to Host just a single event. As long as one of the Organisers is willing to list the event and put you as the Host, we can run the event. Every event counts!
If you do not currently have the time, but might be interested at a later date, please get in touch at any time, as your help is still likely to be appreciated!
URGENT!
With the above in mind, we urgently need individuals to step forward to Host our Friday night, pub nights. You don’t need to commit to every week. You could be the Host or Organiser once every four weeks, then hopefully others will fill in the intervening weeks.
Please get in touch urgently, if you would like to help in this way.
MONEY
As for the financial aspects of North Devon Friends, simply paying for the Meetup platform, and performing various admin tasks does require money, which I can no longer afford to pay by myself.
As for the monies already paid, would like to contribute in some way?
I invite you to consider the value that North Devon Friends has brought you both personally, as well as consider how it has helped others:
. Have you made new friends through North Devon Friends? Can you put a price on these friendships?
. Have you enjoyed the various events you have come along to?
. Have you ‘got out and about’ more that you would have otherwise?
. Have you found something you unexpectedly enjoyed, such as hula hooping!
. Have you found help for your business?
If you feel that North Devon Friends has brought you value, then I invite you to contribute whatever you feel is appropriate, via the link below:
https://northdevonfriends.com/contributions/
If you would like to contribute, but are unsure how much, then I suggest £10 for every year or part year you have been a member.
If you feel that you should not pay anything, as you understood that North Devon Friends was free, then that is fine too.
This is simply an invite to contribute to the amazing community you have been a part of…
Any contribution will be appreciated. Thank you.
THE FUTURE
As for the future, I invite you to contribute just £1 a month toward the running of North Devon friends. If you would like to contribute, please follow the link below. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.
https://northdevonfriends.com/contributions/
As above, this is an invite to contribute, not a compulsory membership fee!
AND FINALLY
Whether you choose to contribute, or simply hope North Devon Friends is able to continue, thank you again, for your support to date, and in the future.
I hope to see you at a North Devon Friends event soon!
All the Best
Ian
P.S. Please feel free to get in touch, by replying to this email, or via the Meetup site, if you have any questions about North Devon Friends.