RSVP Courtesy Statement 

Hi everyone!   There’s been some discussion on Meetup RSVPs recently, and we’d like to share our thoughts. 

First of all, we get it..  an interesting event pops up, and sometimes our first instinct is to mark ourselves as “Going” to secure a spot, given limited availability.  It can feel harmless to sign up first, check our schedules second, and then – after some time passes, decide whether or not to remain on the Going List.  Some call this “just playing the Meetup game.”  It makes sense. 

But here’s the thing..  when that spot gets taken, someone else that could actually commit, is now out of luck. 

And for all the work that goes into planning backpacking and weekend events, it can feel pretty discouraging to event leaders when a member seems to have RSVP’ed as a backup plan or without having checked their schedules first.. only to cancel when something “better” or “more important” comes up. 

Important things do come up. There are very good reasons to cancel. We get sick or injured, or there’s a family emergency or a major life event that requires re-prioritizing. There are many things like that that we can’t always anticipate. We get it.

We just ask that – for the things we can anticipate – that you please RSVP for events only after you’ve checked your schedules and feel confident that you’lll be able to commit – within reason, of course – and then, actually commit.

Expand Your Hike’rizons is a little different from other Meetup groups in that our team tends to organize major backpacking trips throughout the year.  And we’d like to increase the number of these trips by increasing our number of hike leaders and overall leader activity.  To do this, we’ll need your help!  

When leaders start feeling discouraged, leader activity typically declines, and ultimately?  Fewer events.  No one wants that. 

So, with our group, please don’t play the “Meetup Game.”  

Thank you for understanding… and we look forward to seeing you on the trail!!