NO SHOW POLICY

No Show Policy
Effective February 15, 2008

This policy will be in effect for all meetups.

"Maybes" have been eliminated for all events. We require you to make a commitment. So if you RSVP "Yes" to an event, we expect you to be there. If circumstances change, please update your RSVP. We understand the occasional last minute emergency, but please call or send an e-mail to one of the Organizers or the host, if you can, so we'll know you will not be attending. In that way, we will not sit around waiting to start the day's activity. Events held in a member's private home might have an attendance limit due to space restrictions. Yet, those events might draw the biggest interest and fill up fast. Please do not RSVP "yes" for those limited events unless you are sure you can attend. If you fail to show up, it would mean that your place might have been filled by someone on the waiting list.

The worst type of No-Show: the day you are scheduled to lead the book discussion.



Three Strikes Policy
Effective February 15, 2008

A member who has had 3 "No Shows" or "Last minute changes" within a 6-month period will be removed from the group. We do not want to have to remove anyone, so please do not let it reach that point. The Organizers' telephone numbers will be provided to each new member when he/she attends his/her first event.


Definitions:

• No Show - a member who has RSVP'd "yes" for an event but fails to attend or contact an Organizer (or the host) in advance of the event.
  
• Last Minute Change - a member who changes his/her RSVP from "yes" to "no" within 2 hours of the start time of the event without contacting an Organizer or the host of the event.
  

FAQ:

1. Why the cut-off on changing my RSVP on the website?

This is because the Organizer and/or host of the event will not be at her computer close to the event time. The Organizer may have to drive 30-45 minutes to arrive at an event or is busy setting up for the others to arrive.

2. What's the big deal if I'm a "No Show" or have a "Last Minute Change"?

If you were scheduled to lead the book discussion, the result would be a far less organized meeting and a less focussed and thorough discussion. Leadership requires advance preparation, and failing to attend means the group derives less from the discussion.

Discussing whether you're coming or not, deciding whether to go ahead and start the meeting or not, and worrying if you're dead in a ditch somewhere or not, take up time and energy we could be using to have a good time.

For limited events, only so many people can fit comfortably in a person's living room. Space has been limited for a reason. We just don't have room for no-shows. Your space could have been filled by someone on the waiting list.

If everyone were to be a No-Show or post a Last Minute Change, your Organizer would be left sitting alone in a café--a very uncomfortable feeling. She also would have wasted her time preparing for and driving to the meeting.

In the case of a party in a member's home, the Organizer will have incurred unnecessary catering expenses based on the expected number of attendees.

If a member has purchased an expensive ticket to attend an outside event to which few people have committed, such as "Lord of the Dance," that person could end up being left at the event totally on her own--something that could be very uncomfortable and definitely would not be enjoyable.

It's rude! The members of this group wish to associate with polite, respectful people who have consideration for the feelings of others.




**If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail Kathryn or Jessica, your Organizers.**