Announcing: The Do What You Love Groups!

“Cultivating Each Other’s Awesomeness, One Meeting At A Time”

The group so far! Easthampton meeting 2.24.10

I’m SO EXCITED to announce this! My friend, Dana Wilde and I have put together the ultimate networking group if you’re interested in a different way of meeting like-minded people!

So, what is it?

Sock Power

If you’re sick of pointless networking events or other social opportunities that leave you feeling awkward, disappointed, or excluded – you are not alone! The Do What You Love Group is a facilitated, creative, meaningful monthly meeting that’s about PARTICIPATION and inspiration. We’re doing away with traditional approaches to networking, and cultivating each others’ awesomeness instead. It’s a shame when lots of cool people get into one room together (parties, arts events, bars, cafes, networking, etc.), but there’s nothing for us to actually DO together or an easy way for us to get to know each other.

Bill, Chris, Allison, Mandala

The Do What You Love Group is about many things:

-Doing what we love as a career and/or in our leisure time
-Sharing our successes and challenges in doing things we love
- Helping others do more of what they love
- Actually DOING fun, inspiring activities that we love during our meetings
- Sharing resources and ideas

Mikey & Chris

How to join:

Membership is open to all, but there is an application process. To apply, email the reason you want to be part of this group to us at DWYLGroup@gmail.com and Dana and I will personally review all submissions. 300 word maximum per submission. There will be a cap on the number of members allowed, so send your submission today! Each group is limited to 50 members. You can become a member of our Meetup Group as well (that doesn’t guarantee membership though, still have to go through the application process). I know, we’re strict like that.

How much does it cost to join?

The first meeting is free so you can check it out and decide whether or not it is for you. If you’d like to join, membership is $50 for 6 months (per club), or $75 for both clubs for 6 months (both Hampshire & Hampden County clubs). Membership fees cover the monthly meeting admission, gives you a listing on the online members page, and allows you to start your own group within the group (more details to come on “Sub-Do What You Love Groups”!).

What is a typical meeting going to be like?

Each meeting will start with an opening exercise (first 15-20 mins), and then we will present a topic as the focus for the night. This could include an art project, a writing exercise, reading something, or asking yourself a series of questions (30 mins). The next 45 minutes will be spent sharing your ideas, asking questions, and getting to know the other members on a one-on-one basis. The topic will be the foundation for your conversation and you can go from there. Sometimes, the focus will include working with others in a partnership, or a group exercise. After the sharing part of the meeting, we will open up the floor for 15 minutes of reflection for anyone who would like to share with the group their thoughts, emotions, ideas, reactions, etc. The last 15 minutes will be open for anyone who would like to share something about an upcoming event, book they have read, something cool (or not so cool) that has happened to them, anything really. It’s a chance to connect and inform others in a way that has not been supported until now. Each meeting will be designed to create meaningful interactions to create authentic relationships and support systems for each member. If this doesn’t sound like something you would like, that’s okay. It’s not for everyone.

Dana & Jennifer

Who is running this?

Dana and I put this together and we are in charge of membership and facilitating the meeting. However, we would like each member to feel empowered to present their own ideas, run meetings, create sub-groups, and make this what they want it to be. There are no corporate sponsors or other interests involved. Just the two of us making something happen because we both really wanted it and couldn’t find it.

When and where do we meet?

Hampden County: Meet every 2nd Wednesday  in Springfield from 6:30-8:30 PM

Hampshire County: Meet every 4th Wednesday in Florence from 6:30-8:30 PM

Chris, Doreen, Mike

Check out our Meetup page:

http://www.meetup.com/Do-What-You-Love-Group/