Clarification needed - Munches - Should we pay!

17 Feb 2005

Quote by Rainbows
I don't really think that having some events stickied and some not really does anyone any favours - it gives people the impression that the stickied events are site organised - they are not they are all organised by individuals, some poeple will be better at it than others, different people will have different ideas of what is the right way to do things. I think provided all rules, costs, etc. are up front it doesn't make that much difference.

I do see your point Roger, and I agree, but look at it from the POV of a newbie (which I was not so long ago.
Some newbies are not new to swinging, but some, like myself are. Attending a first munch as a newbie - not only to the site, but to swinging - was a nerve-wracking experience. I put my "trust" in what I had read about munches and what they were about (believe it or not - some newbies do do their reading). I don't feel that I would have attended a "private" get to together without having attended a munch first. With hindsight I have no problem attending social meets that aren't stickied - but at the time of being a newbie - uh uh - no way.
I agree that Mods and the site should not be "called to task" when things go wrong - as they are bound to at times, but i still firmly feel that munches, with SH backing, provide a safe and clearly defined socail meeting ground where newbies can be introduced to the swinging world without "worrying".
I see your point Rainbows but I wonder if some of that "comfort level" provided by an event being called a "munch" and stickied is not always deserved, and sometimes some newbies would actually be more comfortable at social event that has not been stickied for some reason.

17 Feb 2005

Quote by rogerthedragon
I see your point Rainbows but I wonder if some of that "comfort level" provided by an event being called a "munch" and stickied is not always deserved, and sometimes some newbies would actually be more comfortable at social event that has not been stickied for some reason.

Sure, I admit - it depends on the individual. I can only speak for myself (although I have been known to speak on behalf of my cats too confused

). A sticked munch has a stamp of "approval" on it in the eyes of the newbie . Whether or not that is actually true is beside the point. It is a perception that the newbie has. And I must apologise here to the mods & Mark, becuase in no way do I wish to make them feel in any way responsible. It just a reality for some newbies. You come on here, you post a couple of things, you get told off by the mods and others and you start respecting site rules (or you could be a total groveller like me and have the AUP memorised before you even dip your toes in the water. What a dork! :? ). And at some point you come across a munch. As I say - I can only speak for myself, but the munch was still something "safer" than any other, non sticked meet. It's hard to explain!

17 Feb 2005

i have been reading this thread with interest and as i have organised a munch and an going to organise another i have been seeing where this is going....
i don't think we could do without munches because who then are going to invite new members to parites...it then becomes a closed shop! good for those who are already in but a nightmere for anyone on the outside looking in...
what i have noticed is that organisers are begginning to push the boundries of what we call a "munch" and when they see others doing it.. the next one tries to push it further... hence the discussion....
with the first north east munch i don't mind admitting that i didn't cover the costs.. so what was collected i gave to charity and i took the whole hit....at the time i felt it was the right thing for me to do , and would i do it again.... i'll answer that in a mo...
for me the whole night was worth it.... it was the fact that i managed to organised something that didn't go belly up and meeting wonderful friends and to make everyone old and new feel at ease.....
so would i do it again.. my circumstances have changed a bit and have thought about charging... but i won't and i am happy and prepared to take the hit again..... i fully understand why some people do look going down that route as long as people are not looking at make a profit out of it... and i have no doubts that any organisers of munches have done it for commercial gain.......
what i think we need more than anything is some guidence for munch organisers as to what we can and cant do.....once we get that at least we all play by the same set of rules...
also i was under the impression that paid events couldn't be stickied where in the last few months this seems not the be the case.....
just a general clafication of the rules would be a good start........
sean xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

18 Feb 2005

Hi all have been away for two days & have just read the thread,
As a newbie I think that the cost of a munch sould be covered so no one is out of pocket.
how this is done is the question? door charge or passing the hat around. i would rather now the cost so I can budget for the costs,If the hat comes round it is posible that the costs may not be covered. If you get a profit to put an end to romers of profite making it should be given to charity.
see you all soon Philg biggrin

18 Feb 2005

Well some great points in here, lots of lively debate as well. At the end of the day I think some simple guidelines on what is a 'Munch' would be a good thing, and good luck to our modding team in coming up with them.
I think we all know what the spirit of a munch is, non profit making, non pressure, social event. There have been a number of things close to the edge of the unwritten rules, and laying out a structure won't do anyone any harm. I agree with Rainbows that munches provide a 'safe' entry into SH for many newbes, and a place for socialisers (like me) to go and let off steam. The perception of safety by the name may not be true, but a set of guidelines will only improve the match between perception and reality. (Is that a proper sentence?)
So lets go for some guidelines, and lets back them when they come out and not spend ages looking for holes in them. I am sure we can see the spirit of what a munch is, and can read the rules in that spirit and give our overworked mods a break (and a free drink of their choice for their efforts)

18 Feb 2005

i would gladly pay double