New York City Meet-up Update (Blog)

[Savage]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

New York City Meet-up Update

[Fullcrum]

When it comes to the meet-up, things I'm looking for:

Basically a quick overview of what you and Erin do for people. Something quick, catchy, and inspiring. Ya know, a story or something. Look at the questions people want and figure out what most people want to hear and then generally talk about that.

Me personally? I'm in High school so some stuff for high schoolers and college kids about different obstacles we might face on the journey to true self-actualization. I mean, it could apply to anyone. I've got the word "transformations" and "journey" on my mind, and maybe others do, too. Any words on how the journey may look for us young people would be sweet. "If I went back to college..." etc.

Oh, Central Park's full of rocks...you could be like Jesus or something...haha.

I'm more interested in meeting other cool, goal-minded people like myself (ahem) than hearing a lecture. Think of it like a social. A large degree of chaos is good.

I recommend a very impromptu approach that may be stretching your comfort zone (maybe not; only you can know) in terms of how you speak to us. Basically you give some quick inspiring thing, "Well lookie, some of you made it! Anyway, ...".
After that, you observe the different groups that emerge form people talking with each other. Approach freely and discuss like you would at a party, only you'll probably be hit with pretty deep topics. Get the jist?

Oh, and, have fun. You made some post some time ago about how you need to "delegate" more (levels of consciousness)? Well this might be it: You don't have to speak to guys one on one like a damn book-signing or anything. We're not looking to giggle and worship you (well I can't speak for all but I can imagine), instead we're looking for insight and the presence and vibe you give out.

The vibe of people with high levels of consciousness.

[WanderingOak]

Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it to the meet-up, but I do have a few suggestions for an indoor venue. If the crowd is not going to be overly large and/or rowdy, I believe the New York Public Library has public meeting areas available. Other options would be the Metropolitan Museum of Art (back in the '80s, there was a large indoor atrium in the Egyptian section), the American Museum of Natural History , or the Cloisters. It's been a few years, but the admission fee for the museums used to be 'pay what you can'. When I was in NY, I was dirt poor, so I used to get in for a dime. I'm not sure if that is still possible.

Good Luck.

[danas]

Wow
I didnt read the first blog, but I fly to NY tomorrow morning, from the other side of the world. Im free Saturday and would love to come! count me in

[madgeylou]

hope you guys are having lots of fun in the city!

as far as a meetup goes, i am mostly interested in saying hi, maybe having a group discussion, and meeting some other folks who are into PD.

i'm racking my brain thinking of places where we could meet inside. i have a pretty big apartment which i'd be willing to offer up, but it's more 20-30 people big rather than 100+ people big. if you decide to do multiple meetups, you are more than welcome to use my place.

a somewhat wacky idea ... we could all get on the same subway car at the same station at a pre-arranged time ...

[JD Meier]

It sounds like you need to right-size the technique for the situation. Given the size, I think you can satisfice and still have a meaningful dialogue and accomplish meeting everyone.

Hmmm ... what techniques to use? I think a speed-meet + working groups + wander around the groups.
1. Do a 10 minute rount of speed-meeting. Folks are there to meet you, so meet them all
2. Bust up into groups of 10x10 (or whatever feels right.)
3. Pose a question for everybody to dialogue on. Pick an interesting question where everybody can have input and great dialogue (what's the secret of happiness? what's the meaning of life?)
3. Wander around each group and mingle.
4. At the end, recap the insights / lessons learned from the groups and key surprises.
5. Added bonus -- take a group hug photo and stick on your blog.

The takeaway is, everybody gets engaging dialogue, new perspectives and a chance to meet you in person.

[ram25]

Well, I want to meet you guys and hear few words about PD. Then I would like my specific questions to be answered like finiding the purpose of life, how to be happy etc.,, After that, I am intereseted to be in group discussion to learn about other people experiences/thoughts and how they approached each of these areas (purpose of life, happines, finding what you love to do etc.,).

I prefer indoor meetup so that we can make best use of the time if it rains outside as some people are traveling to NY from other places just for this meetup.

Thanks

[truthcurve]

I can't personally come unfortunately but I think having an indoor place will solve both the problem of weather and of chaos.

Why not try an auditorium or large classroom at one of the colleges? NYU, Columbia, Fordham, Hunter, and the CUNYs are likely to all have large enough spaces that are not going to be used on a Saturday. I would start with the CUNYs since they are less likely to have security issues. If someone in the group is an alum or goes there currently, maybe they can negotiate getting an auditorium for a couple of hours free of charge.

Other ideas along the same lines are high school gyms.

Julie
The Truth Curve

[Sentient]

My girlfriend and I are both NYC natives in our mid 20's and signed up for the meetup. We've had readings done by Erin in the past and were looking forward to a chance to meet both of you as well as some other similarly minded individuals.

Personally I'd just like to see and experience what is different about a group of people that are on average at a higher level of consciousness. In many ways, I'll be mentally comparing what interactions are like to those that I typically see and have myself around the city.

While I'm involved in other things right now, I could see myself doing work in this field down the road, so it'd be fun to see what new friends, contacts, etc come out of something like this.

Also, I have no idea what either of you are like in person. So, there's more than a bit of curiosity to see if those differences that I talked about at a group level are more pronounced in you. I've had friends who have met the Dalai Lama and said they were completely surprised that at times he seemed very childlike. If there is anything in particular that I notice, I suppose it will become fodder for my own personal ruminations and experiments in the future.

[Mike DeWitt]

Hi Steve,

Here's my semi-serious suggestion. Pick a few things you and Erin were going to do anyway (e.g., visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art), and tell people that if they are there at a certain time and location, you'll spend 15 minutes or so with whoever shows up. Or they can tour the museum with you. Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island? Perfect opportunity to talk. With a half-dozen options, the size of any one meeting should be manageable, and nobody can say they didn't have a chance to meet you if they really wanted to.

Cheers, and have a great time!

Mike

[seeker5]

I'm not going since I'm far away from NYC, but if I was there, I'd go just for the coolness factor of this being a cool thing to do. Oh, and I'd also want a 5 hour dissertion on the finer points of cooking brown rice.

[Ben Gordon]

Steve,

I don't know the best option, but perhaps it is to do several meet-ups. As your contribution is great, your demand matches. However, whatever you decide to do is okay. I am selfish at times and tempted to say if you are in the Bryant Park area during lunch time, you should let people know. I say this as I work near the area. With that said, you may just want to let go of the pressure of wanting to please everybody and meet everyone's needs and let what happens happen

"Time don’t go back, it goes forward. Can’t run from the pain, go towards it. So things can be explained what caused it.”
-Jay-Z

[Bene]

You already have a list of people that want to attend, don't you? I would just split up the list into 2-3 groups and schedule a meeting at different times. 20-30 people per group sounds manageable. Three meeting times on Saturday: morning, afternoon, and late afternoon or on two seperate days.

[Neutral]

After searching, I couldn't find any obvious resources on how to manage a meet-up this type/size. Meetup.com was FEATURING 30 people meet-ups! If that's exceptional, we're in terra incognita. An experimental approach and if it succeeds, will be a growth experience that sets a precedent, you could do a nice post as a future resource. This is taking on a life of it's own!

Ideas so far for organizational structure:

Talking circle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Unconference - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

JD Meier's
1. Do a 10 minute rount of speed-meeting. Folks are there to meet you, so meet them all
2. Bust up into groups of 10x10 (or whatever feels right.)
3. Pose a question for everybody to dialogue on. Pick an interesting question where everybody can have input and great dialogue (what's the secret of happiness? what's the meaning of life?)
3. Wander around each group and mingle.
4. At the end, recap the insights / lessons learned from the groups and key surprises.
5. Added bonus -- take a group hug photo and stick on your blog.
6. Subway car idea madgeylou
7. We all meet up at the different touring sites you were planning on anyway. Mike DeWitt

Warhol factory style chaos could be fun but the intelligence to randomness ratio is too high, too many unknowns. That seems to put "shy" people at a disadvantage.

I echo others sentiments of discussing ideas not covered and some social mixing. I intend on novelty. One-on-one's and some mixing is seeming impractical.

[Dan.Linehan]

I would definitely move things indoors with that many people.

[madgeylou]

i can host a saturday night shindig. first 30 people to show up get in ... ?

[jennymannion]

Hi,

I grew up in NYC and had a few ideas you could look into....

The Science, Industry and Business Library of the New York Public
Library has rooms that might meet your needs, at reasonable (for New
York) prices. It is located at Madison Ave. and 34th St., which is
only several blocks south of Grand Central.
NYPL, Conference Room Rentals at SIBL

The Hungarian House is on the Upper East side on 82nd Street between 2-3rd Aves and rents out space very inexpensively. If there are 100 people you might get away with charging a couple of dollars a piece for the event to cover the cost:
New York Hungarian House

Did you try the hotel you are staying in? If they have nothing booked for the time you are looking for they might be willing to let you use it for a fraction of the cost.... Most hotels in NYC have tons of conference rooms.

I love the idea of an outside venue so people can walk around an mingle a bit too -- but understand that is weather permitting... also don't know how you could manage it so that you and Erin make sure you talk to everyone unless people are split into groups. Central Park is great but Bryant Park or Carl Schurz Park might be easier to find everyone in and coordinate to all sit on a hill or something.

I know Central Park has some beautiful gardens that aren't as popular as other areas so maybe meeting there would be an option.
Central Park - Conservatory Garden - CentralPark.com To meet there you do need to call and make a reservation. most places to meet in the park require no reservation.

The Public Library on 42nd was recommended before and that might be good if they have a room since you can either meet in there if the weather is bad or right outside in Bryant Park if it is a beautiful day... gives options.

I am so happy I had scheduled to be in NYC for another event on Friday and am really looking forward to meeting so many GREAT people on Saturday!

Hope this helps.
Jenny Heal Pain Naturally

[Hayer]

Hi Steve,

Hope you’re enjoying New York!

As I’m not certain I can make the meet-up on Saturday, I’m hoping you might schedule a second one another day/evening this week!

The main reason I’d attend would be hear you and Erin speak, and to meet other like-minded people.

Ideally, I would like for it to go something like this: you and Erin give a short talk (my first choice would be subjective reality and lucid dreaming) and then a chance for people to ask questions, and then time to mingle and meet each other and so forth.

Just thought I’d throw this out...I took a walk in Inwood Hill Park near Indian Road the other day--a Friday afternoon and it was beautiful and quiet and there was hardly anyone around. (Saturdays can be crowded.) The only thing is that it’s a relatively long subway ride from midtown--about 40 minutes on the A to 207th Street--but the parking situation is pretty good for those driving in.

My other idea was my favorite hole-in-the-wall Chinese place, a noodle shop near the corner of 36th and 8th Avenue. There are about twelve or so tables that seat four, and in the late afternoon it’s usually empty, for the most part. Recently I was in there and a homeless-looking man was seated at a table dozing off, and the people running the place didn’t seem to care. So I’m guessing they wouldn’t mind if a not-too-large group of people gathered together.

[DivaLion]

Try the Gay & Lesbian Center: Rate Sheet - The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

It's a great place, great people, and might meet your needs for a space.

Check out Backstage & the Village Voice for ads for rehearsal rooms and theaters. Many of them are highly configurable, rent by the hour, and are fairly cheap (because artists are usually po'). Try the Manhattan Theater Club, the Producers Club, La Tea, The Arch, The Kraine, The Paradise Factory.

If you meet outdoors (you probably do need a permit to organize 100 people, but it kinda depends how much you think it'll LOOK like an organized event and what kind of risk you're willing to take), I recommend the area by Turtle Pond in Central Park. Spacious, easy landmarks, and bathrooms at the theater there.

Good luck!

[2bTru]

Steve and Erin,

Hope you are enjoying your stay here in NYC.

The response is not surprising. Here are my suggestions:
1. This might sound harsh, but to reduce the crowd you can ask for some donation. Around $50.00 to $100.00 would be a decent amount. If you feel that it is not right, then just donate that money for some good cause. This is only to reduce the crowd.
2. Do not take any more requests and meet the existing people in two to three batches, as you said first come first served. ( I hope I will not be chopped off)
3. Just let everyone come to central park (like they do to a concert)
4. Due to overwhelming response (may not be possible) please extend your stay by a couple of more days.

Warm Regards,
-VT

[Erin Pavlina]

We can't extend our stay since my parents are watching our kids and need to get back to work.

We'd rather not charge anyone for this event though that would certainly help since the places we can find to meet are pretty expensive.

we don't want to do the meet up for the entire day so batches would not be good there.

I was thinking we could meet in the conference hallway of a hotel but they might kick us out.

we'd prefer to meet in the midtown area.

[GreenGrizzly]

....Guys/Gals....

This sounds like a similar "street level" promotion event that I was a part of here in Philly.

I know that this is not a "for-profit" or promotional event but nonetheless, here is a suggestion based upon my experience...

Step 1) Have Steve/Erin pick a movie that (in their view) would be a positive, entertaining experience for everyone.

Step 2) Broadcast the movie date/time so that people can buy their tix online...

Benefits: A fair/simple way to thin out the crowd and will put a generous ceiling on the # of attendees.

Step 3) Everyone meet/mingle in the lobby 45-60 min before the movie starts.

Step 4) After the movie - break off into smaller groups at a local cafe/bookstore to socialize & discuss the movie.

(One more thing... Here in Philly, the promoters ran up to the front the of theater and did an impromptu forum for 10 minutes before the movie started. That was incredibly fun and the movie owners didn't mind...)


I'm sure there are NYC natives who can suggest a great (ArtHouse?) theater with a large lounge inside and local cafes within walking distance....

Hope this helps. Long story short, the promotional event in Philly went off great and I'm sure yours will too.

Have fun...!

- GG -

[Savage]

I checked out Bryant Park today. There are lots of tables and chairs rimming the park, but the grassy area in the center of the park looks like it's being ripped up (not sure why). That park would work OK for 10-25 people, but I can't see it working too well for 100.

I also checked out the lower level of Grand Central Station, which someone had suggested. That's another place that would work OK for a smaller group but definitely not for 100. It seemed a bit noisy down there.

Erin and I have a few leads on indoor locations, so hopefully we'll be able to secure a decent location soon. We'd really like to find something in Midtown. Our hotel is close to the Theater District.

As Erin mentioned we really want to keep this free and not even request donations.

[Cas]

I'm so thrilled that you guys are here!

I just called 3-1-1 concerning the park regulations for a meet-up. Apparently a permit is required if the amount of people is in excess of 20.

More information concerning on obtaining a permit is available here:

Special Events Permits and Applications : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Thank you!

[neilsattin]

Hey there,

I appreciate all the dialogue about when/where things are going to happen, and your willingness (Steve & Erin) to be so flexible about it. I had a feeling, with so many people visiting your sites, and so many people able to descend on NYC, that you might get a somewhat voluminous response.

I live in Maine, and so I've just pretty much been lurking as y'all discuss the details, since my ability to come is not certain. However, I just wanted to speak up, since the only way I could really make it happen would be to have some idea of what actually is going to happen (i.e. that there IS, in fact, going to be a meetup) - so as to let you know that I, for one, am standing by waiting to see where everyone'll be...and when.

So why come all that way?
Well, for one, it's much easier for me to get to NYC than Las Vegas! I would definitely prefer a format where open conversations amongst all of us could take place, and getting the chance for a quality moment or two with Steve and Erin would be swell, as well. I had also been considering a reading with Erin, so I'm staying tuned for what's happening in that department as well. Other than that, it's a hunch and several quite-direct dreams that seem to be pointing me in the direction of an NYC-ward journey at the end of the week.

Summary:
Neil=staying tuned. Just wanted to let you all know, and I felt like this might be a good time to quit lurking.

Sidenote: It might be cool to have a thread where people who were planning to attend could post links to their blogs - it'd be a great way to "get to know" people a little bit before meeting in person.

Cheers,
Neil

Living the Well-Rounded Life at NeilSattin.com
Natural Dog Training Blog

[llong]

Cmon people....where's the NYC spirit? Chaos is part of the experience. I'd say just pick a time and place let it roll.

With possibly 100 people, choose Central Park over Bryant Park.

Oh, and to hell with the permit.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Cas

I'm so thrilled that you guys are here!

I just called 3-1-1 concerning the park regulations for a meet-up. Apparently a permit is required if the amount of people is in excess of 20.

More information concerning on obtaining a permit is available here:

Special Events Permits and Applications : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Thank you!

It says it takes 21-30 days to get a permit, so a park meet-up won't work then. We'll need to find some other location then if we don't want to limit it to 20 people.

[joelyle]

What does an "event" mean?
Doesn't the constitution allow peaceful assembly?
I don't see where a meet up amounts to unlawful assembly...

UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY - A disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons who meet together with an intent mutually to assist each other in the execution of some unlawful enterprise of a private nature, with force and violence; if they move forward towards its execution, it is then a rout and if they actually execute their design, it amounts to a riot.

So, if one wished to organize a protest: (s)he would have to get permission?
Doesn't seem right.

[dmarie]

I've just joined this forum and haven't had a chance to poke around, but I read the blog. I wanted to offer this option.

I lived in Boston and we would take the train to NY to conduct business. We would meet in the lobby of The Marriott Marquee in Times Square. The lobby is HUGE and 100 people would be nothing. They have tons of casual seating and places to buy beverages without going into a restaurant.

It's central. It's free. It's Times Square!

Hope your meet up is successful. I'd love to go but I live in Dallas and can't make it.

[jennymannion]

Hi,

I was wondering if you knew the new life expo is this weekend in new york as well: NEWLIFE Expo?

Sounds like they would have a lot of similar interest things there as well as space to set up...... just a thought

Jenny