So I’m a member of meetup and it keeps me informed of some/most of the classes offered. When I rsvp to a class on meetup does it somehow qualify as a “reserved” spot on our new calendar - as in qualifying for the spot. I’m not sure I’m 100% clear in what I’m trying to say but do you guys get me?
Registered…does it officially register me for a class spot. Whew, broke a gear in my brain.
Dunno full answer, but I know when I register for classes, like so it counts towards the honorarium for the teacher using that registration button, it shows in the list when I filter for classes I’ve registered for. Might be an interesting test. Interested in seeing what the official word is
I’ve been curious how new system is reflecting on meetup. Just hadn’t looked over there yet
No, RSVPing on Meetup does not register you for a class in our calendar system.
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Right now the new calendar is not associated with Meetup and new classes dont go there. I personally dont want to but it is open for discussion. The main reason is for the situation you just stated. People would sign up there then show up to a class with limited spots or that is for members only, wouldn’t read that they need to bring a laptop and all other situations. I hate it. I hated being a teacher with it. I hated answering questions through it. Just all around hated the situation. /rant
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The new calendar system is intended to replace all others correct? Our new one-stop-shop for such things?
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A couple considerations: the meetup group has 3000+ members. It’s a well known site with some strong upsides.
It’s actually how I found Makerspace.
Might be worth not completely abandoning it, but I understand the issues mentioned. Maybe there is a compromise?
One thing that might help is requiring a question to rsvp… “I swear I have read all the instructions and understand I will be placed in stockades if I did not” etc etc…
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Meetup is how I found DMS. Second only to word of mouth it probably reaches more people regularly than any othe PR effort. Especially as new topics for classes come out. It emails persons that might have an interest.
However, a way for them to sign up through new calendar system is needed. Whether through a link or whatever.
It’s been probably 5 years since I set up MU group, not sure how the back side works or what’s allowed. But it’s good for getting info out but if new system is to work signups should and need to go through it.
A link to the dms calendar event can be the description, and RSVPs can be limited to just the organizer. Or as I mentioned in my other post, a question can be added to the rsvp process on meetup.
I have one setup now which asks “You understand a ticket must be purchased in advance through the link in the description, and that RSVPing on the meetup does not save your seat?”
Of course, I frequently underestimate the ability for people to be clueless and oblivious… So we shall see.
Meet-up is a good website and can be a good tool for the right organization at the right time in it’s life cycle. We now have a bespoke and superior class and event scheduling and sign-up solution. But in regard to the anecdotal “Meetup is how I found DMS” notes, a reminder: attracting new members is not really a problem for DMS at this point (to wit, the 4 or so large groups of people that get the grand tour every week at the Thursday night Open Houses); training them and retaining them is.
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How are those groups hearing about DMS?
It’s a great question, and has been asked before; we appear to be too afraid to ask and/or collate any responses :–(
Though I personally despise social media, I have to acknowledge one significant benefit.
Search engine optimization can bring eyeballs our way if someone happens to be looking for information about a makerspace or a particular type of tool or technique.
Social media has the uncanny ability to make us visible to those who are not looking for us or even know what the makerspace concept is. Something along the lines of, “Hmm, several of my friends, acquaintances and coworkers are into this Dallas Makerspace thing. Whatever in the world can that be?”
It took a long time to accumulate a following of 3000; do we want to just throw that away? Whatever we may choose, we must be sure that it does not appear to be abandoned. If we stop using it, post one final event explaining the migration to the internal solution.
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