Anyone from NYC: 2008

[Scion]

Just so everyone is in the loop... I just received this.

Originally Posted by East/West

Subject: East West Living: Meet Up Group Policies

Hello Meet-up Group Leaders!

I am told that lately there has been some confusion over what is to be expected at East West Living concerning Meet-up Group protocol and expectations. As we all know, East West provides a beautiful space in the heart of the city and has graciously opened that space for the use of groups of people who gather monthly. We all need to honor that opportunity.

Please read the attached 'Meet-up Group Policy Statement' fully, so that we all understand what is expected at East West.

Generally:
There is now, and has been for some time, a $5 fee for all members of meet-up groups to cover staff and maintenance costs. This fee does not count towards food purchased in the cafe.

Also, we ask that food and beverages NOT be brought in from other sources, but that you purchase food from East West while utilizing the space, as do most venues. This is common courtesy towards the space you are utilizing for your groups' purposes.

Because of high demand for space, your group will normally be asked to share the space with another meet-up group, and sometimes with authors and demonstrations as well. We simply cannot accommodate all who wish to present at East West without some doubling up. This has been especially true during the holiday season.

It would be most helpful to me if as leaders of your group, you would please send the general number of people who typically attend your group meet-ups. This way, I can see if we need to shuffle groups around so that large groups are not overwhelming each other. Please email your groups total to me at this address as soon as possible.

As leaders in the spiritual community, we must all be certain that we are 'walking the talk' and treating each other - and that includes staff members - with the utmost of kindness and respect, even - and especially in - times of confusion or misunderstanding. If WE cannot accomplish this, how can we expect it of the world??

If you have further questions or concerns, let me know. Working together, I am confident we can make things run more smoothly for all concerned.

Thanks for your cooperation!

Janet
East West Living Events Coordinator
319.277.0721 Office hours, 9am - 1pm (EST) Monday - Friday

Here is my response...

Hey Janet,

Thank you for sending me this email. In the 2 years that we’ve been meeting in the café, I have never been told that there was a $5 per head charge. I have every piece of email correspondence with your employees and am more than a little baffled at the way this "transition" has been handled.

While the $5 charge is nominal, springing it on us in situ after years of attendance left everyone at the meetup with a nasty taste in their mouths. Sometime in May we noticed a shift in East/West’s tone and policy that gave us pause, but this latest set of surprise requirements sealed the deal. For some reason what was originally an informal gathering for 8-12 people began to be promoted as a kind of “beginner’s class” with no warning to us resulting in a rapid doubling in size and a radical shift in tone… and moreover it was decided that I was somehow the “leader” because I had agreed to act as the contact person. Further, that you have promoted this event so that it doubled in size and then decided to charge us for the numbers you’ve created is ridiculous. But rather than get into a discussion about your policy, I’ll explain where we stand.

We are going to cancel the Tarot meetup at East/West. I want my name and any information about our attendees removed from any and all documentation related to East/West. I would say that I am disappointed at the way this “shift” has been handled at every point, except that we have never been party to any of the planning aside from a request last spring that we be listed on your calendar as a free social event. Not only have we consistently spent money in your café FAR in excess of the minimum, we regularly spend money downstairs as a sort of informal thank you to the store for hosting us. There are simply too many other beautiful spaces in the city that would be glad of the repeat custom and the lowkey vibe of our members.

We thank you for the time you’ve afforded us and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Regards,

S**** N****

[coyoteblack]

Really awesome job Scion, the perfect mix emotions and facts.

Now to find new digs, may i make a small request; in that our new place be near the path as the last place was. thanks again scion for handeling this you so rock.

[franniee]

perfect. onward and upward.

[Baroli]

I just read this Scion, I agree with Franniee onward and upwards.

[Aulruna]

Phew! I'm really shocked... I really loved it at East/West the one time I could attend, but this is just what you say it is, Scion - RIDICULOUS.

Too bad people will jump at any chance to make money instead of contemplating the consequences first.

Good luck finding a new space - I'll come and check in April

[TheLaughingLibra]

A very well written reply to East West, Scion! ^_^

[Pao]

Great job Scion! although I only attended two meetings I find it rediculous they are doing this. so good job! There ARE better places then this and much cheaper too. this place just rips people off. i hope they remove your name too because you never know with these sort of people.

[ButOfQuartz]

Well said, Scion. ^_^

Although you're a better man than I. I'm hard pressed not to comment on the poor grammar and spelling in their letter, not to mention the completely incomprehensible phrasing... I mean, "walking the talk"???? "Please email us your groups totals" is something on which you shouldn't even get me started. If this is their idea of professional.... *grumbles*

Sorry, compulsive English major. I'm all for a new venue but completely devoid of ideas... Anyone have any?

[coyoteblack]

we are at the mid way mark, are we close to finding a spot to meet up? I would hate to eat crow and go back there for one day.

[Scion]

Not that I know of. Between my family and the hideous holidays I haven't had any time, and I'm imagining from the silence in this thread that no one else has done much looking. I'm about to leave for 10 days for the hell-i-days so I won't be back on the last SUnday. I just frankly haven't had the hours to go schlepping around the UNion Square area... but I am only one of many.

On the other hand, there's no crow to eat. I don't think anyone has any intention of going back and paying to sit in the crowded East/West Cafe under their timeclock. The event is off their calendar. I gfot a very nice apologuy from them, but theiy're sticking to their cover charge guns, so it's a dead space far as I'm concerned.

If no one finds a place in the next 2 weeks then we'll just postpone until January.