Deej ([info]brokn_luvs_hart) wrote in [info]pa_furry,
@ 2008-12-01 12:16:00
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Trying to set up a Furmeet in Philadelphia
Hey guys. I'm new to the Furmeet idea, but it sounds really cool. It would be an awesome opportunity to meet and hang out with some Philadelphia Furs, but I'm not really sure how to do it or what would be a good first meet.

Any suggestions?
I don't think there are any furmeets in Philly at the moment, otherwise I'd tag along with them... ^_^





Deej

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[info]omnibahumut
2008-12-01 05:41 pm UTC (link)
While there aren't as many meets as there used to be (perhaps because its winter), there are still "philly" meets. The most notable one is in Quakertown. You can learn more about these meets at http://208.72.236.120/meettracker/ .

There are occasionally invite-only meets in the area; but you have to get your face out there before people will invite you :P

Going to a couple of meets could give you a good idea as to how the meets are run and the kind of people who show up.

The things I'd warn you about with running your own public meet is are these:
-- know when other meets and cons are happening, so you're not conflicting
-- know the dangers of having an open invite
---- complete strangers in your house
---- potential property damage
---- money for food / drinks tends to come up short
---- space issues

If you're still interested in hanging out with furs and gauging furmeet interest in the philly area, I might suggest a public outing. Arrange a meet at dave and busters or something similar.

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[info]giza
2008-12-01 06:36 pm UTC (link)

Word.

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[info]cyriljackal
2008-12-02 04:16 am UTC (link)
There's always Lupines. So far for the most part he hasn't had any nightmare issues like you list.

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[info]omnibahumut
2008-12-02 04:32 am UTC (link)
I did post the link to to Lupines meet >.>

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[info]cyriljackal
2008-12-02 06:03 am UTC (link)
You're awesome.

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[info]silaria
2008-12-01 06:29 pm UTC (link)
[info]swift_fox and I started a monthly meet in the Pittsburgh area. Instead of hosting it in our house, we selected a public venue, specifically a Panera Bread, that was fairly centrally located to the majority of the Furs we knew about in the area. This keeps the cost for all involved low. (We don't have to purchase drinks and snacks or ask for money to cover the cost and those attending don't have to pay anything - transportation excluded - unless they purchase something.)

While this doesn't allow for fur suits, it does give folks a chance to get together and just hang out to socialize. Artist will often bring some supplies with them and will get together to discuss art techniques.

Basically we picked a specific week (2nd week), day (Thursday), and time (7 PM until close) and held it at that time consistently.

At first we had only ourselves and maybe 2-3 others. Gradually, however, it has grown and we take over one entire section of the restaurant. We've also added a quarterly trip to a local arcade where Fur Suits are welcome and encouraged. It just so happens that on the night of our meets they have 'play all night for a flat rate' so it works out perfectly.

Anyway - I don't know if this would work in Philly or not since it is easily 3x the size of Pittsburgh (I'm originally from Philly). I did want to take a moment to share with you what worked for us since it might give you some other ideas.

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[info]swift_fox
2008-12-03 01:03 pm UTC (link)
To add a little to the great bit of advice offered by my beautiful wife I would tell you not to get discouraged by low turn-outs initially. We went for 4-5 months of just having a half dozen or so show up before the numbers really began to grow.

Keep it light and simple. Furs love the opportunity to get together and talk, but we get artists who use the time to draw, others who take advantage of the free Wi-fi to share favorite sites or videos, and still others who'll bring their DS and LAN-game.

Once you get a solid group of attendees, mix it up with a night of bowling or something instead of the "hang out and be social" once a quarter or something.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop us an e-mail or PM me, or BigHooves, via LJ.

Peace, be well and have a great holiday!

Swift Fox



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[info]bighooves
2008-12-01 07:09 pm UTC (link)
My mate and I run meets in York, PA (central region). I generally choose a public venue for people to hang out at first and foremost. Then we invite folks back to our place for a limited amount of time. We have an apartment, so we typically only extend "crash space" to furs we already know or those who have driven a long way. Other people are asked to clear out at a semi-decent hour so my long-suffering but good-natured downstairs neighbor can get some shuteye :)

For general meets, I stick to the KISS method. Keep it simple and appealing for the broadest number of folks. If you are inviting people back to your house or dwelling, you need to set firm rules about such things as alcohol, drugs, people crashing, etc. This covers YOUR butt.

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[info]kody_wolf
2008-12-01 08:59 pm UTC (link)
Hmm York, PA is within a reasonable distance.
When's your next meet?
I haven't been to a PA meet in a while.

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[info]bighooves
2008-12-02 06:04 am UTC (link)
December 13th, going monthly after that. I'll be posting more info as we get closer :)

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haiii
[info]searedice
2008-12-01 11:54 pm UTC (link)
I'm also new to the furmeet stuff...haven't been to any, yet, but would love to meet the locals.
I'm on the other side of the Schuylkill at UPenn :P
If you want help arranging something, let me know :D (just keep in mind that I haven't been to any meets yet, myself)

You might want to join the southeast PA furry group here: http://community.livejournal.com/pa_furry_se/profile

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Re: haiii
[info]brokn_luvs_hart
2008-12-05 09:58 pm UTC (link)
I'm At MCAD[Moore College of Art and Design], near the Art Museum.

I'd love if you and I could work together to get some ideas rolling. I'd love to have monthly or bimonthly furmeets. It's good to find others like you in your own city!! ^_^

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[info]protocollie
2008-12-02 03:32 am UTC (link)
watch my lj - we're at the end of the R2 line in hatboro. we used to run meets in philly, but then we left.

we will be having one in the near future.

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[info]cyriljackal
2008-12-02 04:17 am UTC (link)
Will it make you insane?

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[info]glayshard
2008-12-02 04:44 am UTC (link)
We have the space as well- so if you ever wanted to talk about arraigning meets here let me know. The only problem is that like it was mentioned before would probably be invite only. We held meets before in the dorms and so far they worked out really well.

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[info]brokn_luvs_hart
2008-12-05 10:03 pm UTC (link)
That would be quite awesome. Should the first meet be so private? Then again, that does sound like a good idea to keep things low-key and to get to know people a little more.


But, it sounds like a good idea.

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[info]phelanmahoney
2008-12-17 07:42 am UTC (link)
I live in the NE and would be interested in hearing more about possible meets. Heck I have thought of running gaming sessions for furs. I'm just not sure how to proceed and I have some issues I need to resolve in the area I live in.

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