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Technical support FAQ please CLICK HERE
For more help or to ask a question CLICK HERE
Welcome to MEETinDC!
We have a great group dynamic going on here, and not one of us bites.
This FAQ should answer most of your basic questions about the website, the people, and what we do here. If you have questions please feel free to use the links at the top right corner of every page to contact anyone from the MEETinDC moderator team!
Q: What is MEETinDC
The MEETinDC group was started for the purpose of bringing people together in the Washington DC area. If you just moved here, or if you have lived here for a while, this group can be a great way to meet new people in the area.
Join us for happy hours, camping, hiking, clubbing, art gallery tours, barbecues, book club, foreign language partners, team sports, surfing trips, and many other social events around the Washington DC area.
MEETinDC's primary focus is to provide a relaxed, non-pickup-scene environment for bringing people together for the purpose of making new friends--and without charging membership fees!
MEETin.org is 100% free and 100% volunteers!
MeetIn.org was founded in Washington D.C. by Mikey (you can check out his profile by clicking on his name) and has spread through 50+ different cities around the nation. Great people needed a way to get together with other great people, and this experiment has blossomed into a great success! However if you need tech support please go to the "Contact US" botton on the left side nav on the site.
Q: Is this a pickup joint?
The answer is No. MiDC is intended as a social group for adults to find activity partners in the Washington DC area. There are plenty of other places on the Internet specifically created for finding a date, so use them. Please do not abuse MiDC culture by messaging other members asking them for dates especially if you do not know them--it is considered rude around these parts. As stated in the Meetin.org About Us and Disclaimer sections, membership may be suspended if behavior is deemed inappropriate. Please report harassing behavior to the leadership team.
Q: What is an EVENT?
An event is anything that you are interested in doing, and think that others might be interested in doing as well. An event is planned for a specific date/time, and gets posted on the "Events" list.
The beauty of this site is that while we do have moderators to try to keep things on the website in-line, the members of the group are the ones who really run everything. People who plan many events get the official "Event Planner" title. This site only works if you, yes, I said YOU keep planning and postting events. It doesn't have to be a big thing! You can throw out a movie date & time for the latest blockbuster and simply invite people along--instant event.
Past events have included anything from going to a Comedy Club to going Surfing to reading a book for Book Club. Check out the Events section regularly because things are added all the time. And start thinking about what you are going to plan for your first event!
Q: How do I find out about events?
MiDC sends out NEWSLETTERS every week to the email address you used in your registration. You will receive a newsletter at the beginning of the week.
You can also log in to the MiDC website at any time to view the current listing of Events. This is recommended since the newsletter only includes current and near future events. There are events lined up throughout the year, and some things (like buying concert tickets, or planning
trips) require a few months advance planning. Also events are often added mid-week so may not be submitted in time to make Monday's newsletter, so check the site for the latest.
You can even RSVP for an event directly from the weekly newsletter email sent to your registered email address, rather than having to log in to the MiDC site.
Q: How do I let the Host know that I want to attend an event?
RSVP! When you are planning to attend an event (or even somewhat considering it) use the "RSVP For This Event" link to tell the event planner. You can even include a note to say how excited you are, or if you will have to arrive late, etc. It helps the planner to know what to expect, and also helps other members on the site to know that they are not alone! :) You can also choose .MAYBE. if you are not sure you can make it, but are still thinking about attending an event!
So please make a habit of RSVPing, there are some people (and I won't mention any names) that won't go if it seems like no one is going. Plus it just looks nicer to see a bunch of people on an event instead of just one sad and lonely host. RSVPing is also very important when restaurant reservations need to be made, or tickets purchased. RSVP: its a good thing.
Q: I forgot what event I RSVP’d for. Is there a quick way to find out?
There sure is! Go to the “My Events” link under My Settings, and this will show you the events that you RSVP’d for. You can also go here to update any RSVP.
Q: How do I become an event HOST?
All you have to do is think up something that you'd be interested in doing, and that you think others would be interested in as well. Next just fill out the event form on the website, and voila, you've planned an event! Generally we do ask that you have attended an MiDC event before posting one of your own.
Q: How do I find MiDC in a crowded public place if I don't know anybody?
This is why it's so important to RSVP! The event planner will know who to look for if you RSVP. In a lot of cases, if the event is at a bar or restaurant, we will tell the host where our group is seated so you will be sure to find us. :)
Q: These MESSAGE BOARDS look cool. What's up?
If you are thinking of an event but don't have a date or details worked out yet, that's where the Message Boards come in. Join in the fray and add your 2 cents. You can ask for people's date preferences, their experiences if they've been to a certain place before, or anything else
that strikes your fancy. Once you have the details worked out, go ahead and fill out the event form. This site only works if people keep planning and postting events!
The message boards has a feature that allows you to receive email to your registered email address when there are new posts! You can turn this feature ON/OFF using the link at the top of the message board page.
Q: I just submitted an event, why isn't it showing up?
When you are ready to submit an event, please be sure to select "Get Approval" instead of "Draft Mode" in the drop down box on the event form. The moderator team will see that there is a new event awaiting approval. The event won't show up in the event listing until a moderator
approves it, so please give us a little time! Tip: If you want your event to go up faster, send one of us an email, and a box of chocolates/ gift certificates/ bottle of wine... :)
Q: I am the host of an event, how do I contact my ATTENDEES?
Use the "Send A Message To Attendees" link on your event listing to send an email to everyone on the RSVP list. Now there is no need to keep updating a separate contact list, since the website does it for you, so sending out reminders or last minute changes should be really easy.
The added bonus is that people who rely upon email notifications will be just as happy as those who prefer to go to a website to keep up on MiDC activities. As the Host, you can also check to see who has RSVP'd as an attendee, send them a direct message to their inbox, and/or print out a full list of attendees on command. Neat!
Q: Hey I have a MESSAGES box on the MiDC website? Cool.
Yep, MiDC members can send messages to each other using the MiDC website! If you send a message to someone via the site, the message will be sent to the member's MiDC message box, and an email notification will be sent to their registered email address. This is done to protect the privacy of member email addresses. The same is true when you reply to a message that was sent to you through the MiDC website--no one will be able to see your real email address, just a link to your MiDC profile.
Q: Speaking of PROFILES...
Use the MY PROFILE link to tell us about yourself. It is always interesting reading the different things that people are interested in, and finding things we have in common. This can be a great way to find common interest for planning future events! If someone is interested in jam bands, there may be some concerts coming up that would make for a good group event.
Posting your picture is optional of course, however this functionality was added in an effort to make it easier for people to find each other in a crowd. We all know that awkward first feeling, you show up at an event that sounded so cool, but you don't know anyone. Don't go home!
The pictures help newbies recognize MiDC members, and have been extremely helpful ever since they were instituted. So please post a picture, remember, it also helps other members to remember who you are when they
meet YOU at an event.
Q: Speaking of FRIENDS...
When you meet cool people at events, don't loose track of them! We have hundreds of members, and rather than searching through every letter of the alphabet every time you want to send that new person a message, add them to your MY FRIENDS list for quick reference later.
Q: I like to talk about my friends...
Well then you're in luck because writing a TESTIMONIAL for your friends (or people you've met a few times) is encouraged! Click [Add Testimonials] on their profile to submit your kind words (I said KIND words!) for their approval. Log in to the MiDC website in order to accept a testimonial that someone has written for you, rather than using the link in your email notification.
Q: The photo gallery is neat! As an event host, how can I post pictures from the events?
The Photo Gallery is linked to the News section. If you would like to write news about your event, ask your local Moderators to give you access to do that. Then you can post news and photos for all your events! Or ask an MiDC moderator that was at your event to write up an article for you and postt your pictures.
Q: I see photos are posted for a really fun event I attended. I would like to let everyone know what a good time I had at the event. How do I post feedback on event photos?
Click on the Event under the "MiDC Photos Gallery" and click on "Post Event Feedback" in RED. Easy as that!
Q: I think the website should have/do/allow [insert comment here]
Don't be afraid to ask questions or send suggestions/comments/complaints within reason! This site is still being worked on and updated and the webmaster (Mikey of DC) is very open. Send me your thoughts and I'll be happy to pass them on and/or tell you what the status of the fix is. We have already incorporated a lot of your feedback, and your continued patience and enthusiasm as the site grows and improves is appreciated!
Thank you for taking the time to read through all FAQs!
FAQ Courtesy Seneca from MEETinDenver
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