Raleigh Get Together this Saturday Was HUGE ...

Hi Barb, I can't believe how wonderfully huge the group has gotten!  Even as a newcomer, I'm thrilled.  I can already tell that if there are times I can't come, I'm going to miss it!  I really look forward to the face-to-face meetings.   I, like many others, don't think it's right that you should foot the bill for all our meetings.  Please count me in to help out with costs for nametags or meeting space, or both.  If we can't keep meeting in restaurants and have to seek another venue, have you thought about somewhere like Glen Eden Park?  They have a facility that has one big room, one smaller room, bathrooms and a little kitchenette area.  Just a thought since I have no clue how much it costs.  But a venue like that might allow us to incorporate a clothing swap on a monthly basis where folks could bring clothes and we could have little stations set up.  We could have speakers, and we could make it potluck.  The venue has chairs and tables for use on-site.  Maybe this isn't feasible right now, but as the group consistently grows and we get too big for a meeting room in a restaurant, we might be able to entertain this option.  Perhaps others of us could help you out as sort of a panel of folks to handle speakers or educational efforts while others might head up food or others still head up the clothing swap.  All just random thoughts.  I know you have co-organizers now, but I was thinking if this becomes a larger and larger group, if you want to make it more formalized, it might help take some of the heat off you. Just my 2 cents.   BTW, it sure was fun shopping with you gals on Saturday!  Hate I had to leave when I did.  We definitely need to do that again! Hugs, Angela