Freedomain Radio

I noticed there were no MeetUps being organized in Texas, and since I had no idea where the FDR Texans are, I figured I might as well put the word out. Since I prefer to not have to pay MeetUps.com in order to be an "organizer," I then thought that perhaps if I was able to get in contact with folks on Skype, we all could use that as a precursor to meeting each other in person.

If there are Texans available, please feel free to hit me up on Skype. My handle there is the same as on here.

- SleepySalsa

It's not necessary to pay in order to use the Meetup Communities. Between Dallas, Austin and Houston there are already about a dozen people registered.

Yeah, I use Meetup all the time as I have an atheist meetup I attend in my local area. If somebody will create a Texas FDR meetup I'll gladly join.

Joey:

Yeah, I use Meetup all the time as I have an atheist meetup I attend in my local area. If somebody will create a Texas FDR meetup I'll gladly join.

Ah man, I wish it wasn't a long drive! Would love to join you guys but sadly I am out there in the middle of the desert. I know of only one other person here who knows about FDR so that doesn't make much of a meetup. 

But if anybody in Texas between Austin and Midland wants to meet up, let me know. 

Thanks for the tip; unfortunately, between those 3 cities, no one has any scheduled meetings (hence why I was suggesting using Skype as an initial intermediary before we all meet in person).

I'm in Austin! I'll add you to skype.

I'm in Austin as well.  Not sure why the other Austinites don't want to form a meetup....

The more people register on the meetup.com site the more likely it will be for other people to find each other and actually meet.

JackB:

It's not necessary to pay in order to use the Meetup Communities. Between Dallas, Austin and Houston there are already about a dozen people registered.

Really? Here's what MeetUps.com had to say in their help section in reponse to the question of, "How much are Organizer dues to run a Meetup group?"

"Every Meetup Group is responsible for paying a fee billed to the Meetup Group Organizer. Most Organizers treat this fee like a restaurant tab, sharing it with the Meetup Group members by setting membership dues or charging at individual Meetups.

There are 3 price plans:

$12 per month for 6 months (a single $72 charge)
$15 per month for 3 months (a single $45 charge)
$19 per month

Organizers can run up to 3 Meetup Groups at any one time under their plan. Organizer Dues automatically renew unless you cancel them. You can cancel the renewal of your Organizer Dues at any time."

SOURCE : http://www.meetup.com/help/How-much-are-the-Organizer-Dues-to-run-a-Meetup-Group/

So, unless there is a difference between a Meetup GROUP v. a Meetup COMMUNITY, it would seem to be the case that Organizer dues are ~ $20/month, give or take.

SleepySalsa:

So, unless there is a difference between a Meetup GROUP v. a Meetup COMMUNITY, it would seem to be the case that Organizer dues are ~ $20/month, give or take.

Meetup Communities are free but have different features. 

http://www.meetup.com/help/Whats-the-difference-between-a-Meetup-Group-and-Meetup-Everywhere/

JackB:

There is, in fact, a difference between a Meetup Group and a Meetup Community.

Meetup Communities are free but have different features. 

 

http://www.meetup.com/help/Whats-the-difference-between-a-Meetup-Group-and-Meetup-Everywhere/

Thanks for clarifying that, I appreciate it. We all need to consider our available options in order to make the best decisions possible.

The only problem I see right now (since it is now possible to avoid the Organizer dues by simply having a different "type" of "group") is that Meetups.com is really best for ESTABLISHED groups; they have regularly scheduled meetings at pre-arranaged locations with a core of members that nearly always show up & maintain social cohesion. The really tricky part is STARTING a group. I would argue this is analgous to starting a business (startup costs vis-a-vis maintenance costs).

I haven't noticed anyone else before trying networking & meeting up with people LOCALLY via Skype. I figured it might as well be experimented with; either way, we learn something beneficial.

hey my skype is ockamrazor96 if anyone wants to add, also I have joined some meetup groups in Texas here are the links 

http://www.meetup.com/Freedomain-Radio/DFW-Mid-Cities/

http://www.meetup.com/Freedomain-Radio/West-Texas-Freedomain-Radio-Community/

Is there any one in the Panhandle area?

Looks like right now, you seem to be the first. Don't despair, perhaps someone in Midland/Odessa or thereabouts will toot their horn soon. :)