Table of Contents

Before you apply

1. There’s currently a long waitlist of applicants who requested to join the group. It will take some time for us to review your application. Requests for an expedited review may result in further delays in reviewing your application.
2. Please take some time to review the rules and make sure you understand and agree with them.
3. We manually review each application to join the group. Your approval times may vary.
4. The organizers can approve or reject any applications to join the group for any or no reason.
5. Please make sure your profile photo meets the photo requirements set below.
6. Please make sure your profile shows at least your full first name (not just your initials).
7. To be considered, please answer the profile questions thoughtfully. Incomplete profiles/answers may not be processed.
8. By applying to join the group, joining the group, or participating in any event you certify that you agree to the Group Rules and Membership Terms.

Eligibility requirements

This group considers membership applications from individuals:

• representing themselves (not a corporation or an organization),
• who currently reside in or within 70 miles of New York City,
• who are legally capable to voluntarily agree to the Group Rules and Membership Terms ("Agreement"),
• who voluntarily agree to the Group Rules and Membership Terms ("Agreement"),
• applying to join the group with non-commercial intentions,
• who are at least 21 years of age,
• who has a profile photo that meets the photo requirements set below,
• who intend on attending at least one event from this group within 30 days of joining the group, and
• who have not had their memberships revoked, had previously been denied memberships, or prohibited from joining this group (exceptions may apply, please see the "Removal from the group and membership reinstatements" section).

Meeting the requirements above does not guarantee or entitle any applicant to membership.

Getting your membership application approved

In order to get your membership application approved, you need at least one of these:

• Get an organizer to approve your application. You can increase your chance of getting approved by creating a high quality profile (public, completed profile with a great profile photo meeting the requirements set below). Currently, there’s a long waitlist for organizer approval. Approval times are not guaranteed.
• Get sponsored by existing member(s) of this group. Any sponsoring member must be an active and current member in good standing at time of sponsorship. The sponsoring member(s) will be fully responsible, accountable, and liable for the sponsored member’s conduct (both online and offline). If the sponsored member is removed from the group, the sponsoring member(s) may also be removed from the group. If any of the sponsoring members is removed from the group, the sponsored member may also be removed from the group.
  • Sponsoring member(s) requirements:
    • 1 member who have attended at least 7 events from this group
    • 2 members who have each attended at least 5 events from this group
    • 5 members who have each attended at least 3 events from this group
  • How to sponsor an applicant:
    1. Make sure the person you're sponsoring is eligible to join the group, have already submitted an application to join the group, have fully understood the Group Rules and Membership Terms ("Agreement"), and have voluntarily agreed to the Agreement.
    2. During an event from this group, please reach out to the event organizer. This process must be done during an event from this group (either in person or online).
    3. The organizer will review the sponsored applicant's application and determine the next steps.

Membership is not permanent. The organizers reserve the rights to revoke any member's membership for any or no reason and with or without explanation. If a member is removed due to a violation of the Group Rules and Membership Terms or if a member decides to leave the group, any membership or event fees* (including the unused portions) paid to the organizer will not be refunded.

* For more information about event fee refunds NOT due to violation of the Group Rules and Membership Terms, please see the event description or contact the organizer of the event.

Photo requirements

To join the group, maintain membership, or attend events please maintain at all times a profile photo that meets the following requirements:

1. Well-lit, not blurry, and not pixelated.
2. Clearly showing the front of your face (not the back of your head) and without a significant portion of the face being covered, including by a hat or sunglasses.
3. Not a bathroom selfie, a mirror selfie, or a shirtless photo.
4. Not wearing just swimwear (except at a pool or a beach) or just underwear.
5. Does not portray violence, sexual content/theme, sexually-suggestive, hate speech, defamation, or any content the our organizers and/or members may find offensive or objectionable, at the sole discretion of the organizers.
6. Not a group photo. We need to be able to identify you in the photo.
7. Smile! Our members love seeing smiles!

Maintaining your membership

1. We require new members to attend their first event from this group within 30 days of joining the group.
2. For most of our events, if you RSVP Going to an event you’ll be asked to confirm your RSVP 3-4 days before the event by replying “yes” via event comments. Please respond to this or other messages from the organizers within 24 hours.
3. Please maintain a profile photo that meets the requirements set above at all times.
4. RSVP early, but responsibly. Please RSVP only if you’re sure you can go.
5. Your RSVP is your commitment. Please show up on time and don't cancel last minute.
6. Each event may have additional rules or terms, please be sure to review them before signing up.

Members who fail to follow the rules may be asked to leave the group and they may not be able to rejoin the group in the future. It may also result in the permanent removal of the member from this group and any affiliated, associated, and/or partner groups. Please note that the organizers reserve the rights to remove any member from the group for any or no reason.

No-shows and last minute cancellations

IMPORTANT: this group has a zero tolerance policy for no-shows and late minute cancellations.

Once a member has confirmed their RSVP to an event, any form of cancellation (either last minute or in the form of a no-show), unless covered by the exceptions described below, will result in the permanent removal of the member from this group and any affiliated, associated, and/or partner groups.

Exceptions: non-repeated cancellations due to emergencies that were communicated to the organizers prior to event start time (via Meetup direct message, text, or phone call) may receive one-time exceptions at the sole discretion of the organizers.

Code of conduct

The organizers reserve the right to remove (temporarily or permanently, as determined by the organizers) any member from the group, including during an event, for any disruptive, aggressive, harassing, illegal, violent, or disturbing behaviors (either online or during an event) as determined solely by the organizer(s). The organizers encourage members to report such behaviors to the organizers. If a member is removed due to a violation of the Group Rules and Membership Terms, any membership or event fees paid to the organizer will not be refunded.

Waitlist priority

Newer members, regulars, members who rarely cancel, and members who rarely fail to confirm their RSVPs may be given higher priority to be moved from the waitlist to the Going list as spots become available.

Group photo

We may take group photos at the events. The group photos may be shared with other group members via the Meetup event page or other channels. Please note that these terms also apply to any photos that include at least one organizer that you took during an event and any photos you share/upload/send to the group via the Meetup platform.

By applying to join the group, joining the group, or participating in any event, you hereby grant the organizers permission to use your likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“Photo”) in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. You understand and agree that all Photos will become the property of the organizers. You further acknowledge that the organizers own all rights related to the Photos, including copyright. You hereby irrevocably authorize the organizers to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute these photos for any purpose. In addition, you waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein your likeness appears. Additionally, you forever waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the Photo.

Guest policy

Unless stated otherwise in the event page, any event from this group is only open to current members of the group who are on the event’s Going list at the event start time. If you wish to invite others into this group’s events, please ask them to apply to join the group, wait for approval, and RSVP to the event.

Alternatively, if anyone else (“Guest”) wishes to attend an event from this group, the event organizer of the event, at the sole discretion of the event organizer, may present a one-time offer for the Guest to attend a specific event (“Guest Pass”).

For a Guest who is accompanied by a sponsoring member (current, active, and also attending the same event), the Guest Pass cost is $30.00 per person, per event. For everyone else, the guest pass cost is $35.00 per person, per event. The guest pass is to be paid to the event organizer in full prior to attending the event. Only cash will be accepted as payment for any Guest Pass. This payment does NOT cover any event fees or activity costs. This fee is not refundable under any circumstances. The organizers may, at their sole discretion, waive or reduce the guest pass cost. The waiver/reduction of guest pass cost does not affect the validity, enforceability, or change any parts of this entire Agreement (including this section).

Guests will be required to agree to Group Rules and Membership Terms ("Agreement") prior to attending the event. It is the sole responsibility of the sponsoring member to ensure that the Guest has read, fully understood, and agreed to be bound by the Agreement. By inviting a guest, the sponsoring member certifies that the Guest has read, fully understood, and agreed to be bound by the Agreement. The sponsoring member will be fully responsible, accountable, and liable for the Guest's conduct before, during, and after the event.

The sponsoring member also agree to fully indemnify and hold the Organizers harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, costs, expenses, liabilities, causes of action and damages of every kind and character (including all attorneys fees) which may be asserted by any third party (including the Guest) in any way related or incident to, arising out of, or in connection with the group, its events, or the Guest. In addition, the sponsoring member agrees to fully indemnify and hold the Organizers harmless from and against any and all costs and expenses of every kind and character (including all attorneys fees, costs of court and expert fees) that are incurred by the Organizers arising out of or related to a third party claim of the type specified in the preceding sentence.

Under certain circumstances, the event organizer of the event, at the sole discretion of the event organizer, may decide to waive or reduce the Guest Pass cost. Regardless whether a Guest Pass cost was charged to the Guest or sponsoring member, the terms of this Agreement will still apply to the Guest or sponsoring member.

Guest Pass will NOT award membership or grant group membership privileges to the Guest. Guest Passes is not available to those who have had their memberships revoked, had previously been denied memberships, or prohibited from joining this group (instead, please see the "Removal from the group and membership reinstatements" section).

Unsolicited idea submission policy

This group and its organizers do not accept, review or consider any unsolicited ideas including suggestions, proposals, concepts, or the like ("Ideas") from anyone else. We will not provide any compensation of any kind for any such submissions. This applies to any Ideas delivered in writing, orally, online, offline, or via any other delivery method or media. This also applies to any Ideas submitted by Event hosts and Event Organizers to the Group Owner.

Terms of any idea submission

If you should choose to submit any Ideas to the organizers, the following terms will apply:

• Your Ideas, their contents and any related intellectual property rights will become property of the organizers, without compensation to you, any other person, or party.
• The organizers have the right to use or redistribute the Ideas in any way for any purpose without any restrictions.
• The organizers have no obligation to review, accept, implement, or keep your Ideas confidential.
• You certify that you are authorized to submit such Ideas, your Ideas do not contain any confidential information, any intellectual property belonging to another party, or materials you are not allowed to disclose.

Removal from the group and membership reinstatements

In an effort to provide a great experience and safe environment to our members and organizers, members who have violated the rules or exhibited disruptive behaviors from the group will be removed from the group. Members who were removed for select reasons may request to have their membership reinstated. Note that membership reinstatement is not guaranteed. Depending on the reason for removal, membership reinstatement may have an associated fee, which varies based on the reason for removal. Please see the schedule below for details:

• Event no-shows (first time): $100 reinstatement fee
• Event no-shows (subsequent times): $250 reinstatement fee
• Last minute cancellations (first time): $75 reinstatement fee
• Last minute cancellations (subsequent times): $200 reinstatement fee
• RSVPd to events but didn’t follow the RSVP procedure/requirements (each time): $50 reinstatement fee
• RSVPd to events but didn’t confirm (first time): $50 reinstatement fee
• RSVPd to events but didn’t confirm (subsequent times): $125 reinstatement fee
• Profile photo violation or incomplete profile: no fee (just reapply and wait for approval)
• New members who fail to attend an event within 30 days of joining: $50 reinstatement fee
• Disruptive behavior online or during the event: 5-year ban + $500 reinstatement fee
• Harassment, violence, and/or public safety concerns: not eligible for reinstatement
• Removed because a sponsored member was removed from the group (for reasons other than harassment, violence, and/or public safety concerns): $100 reinstatement fee
• Removed because the sponsoring member(s) was/were removed from the group (for reasons other than harassment, violence, and/or public safety concerns): no reinstatement fee (just reapply and wait for approval)

Please note all amounts are in USD and only cash will be accepted for payment of any reinstatement fee. Any reinstatement fee paid will only be valid for membership reinstatement for this group. If you were also removed by any affiliated, associated, and/or partner groups, you need to contact the organizers of each group separately and make separate arrangements, which may differ.

Reinstatements are not permanent. A reinstated member may be removed again due to any violation of the Group Rules and Membership Terms. The organizers reserve the rights to revoke any member's membership for any or no reason and with or without explanation.

Removed members can find their reasons for removal in the email sent by Meetup. To request membership reinstatement or if you can't find your removal reason, please contact the organizers via https://rebrand.ly/75348.

Event hosts and organizers

Event hosts and event organizers who wish to run events in this group, once approved by the Group Owner, is granted a limited-time, revokable license to run events in this group consistent with the Group Rules and Membership Terms ("Agreement”).

Receiving Event Host and Event Organizer status does not grant any ownership, rights, or privileges towards the group or any of its associated intellectual property rights. It also does not establish any employment or partnership relationship of any kind.

Other events covered under this Agreement

In addition to the events posted on the Meetup.com platform, the organizers may decide to organize events, gatherings, and functions ("Covered Events") that are open to members of this group that are not posted on the Meetup.com platform. This Agreement shall also apply in full to such Covered Events as if they were events posted on the Meetup.com platform.

Other important terms

No solicitations

Please do not send unwanted/commercial/promotional/solicitation messages to other members or organizers, either via group comments, event comments, replies, or Meetup’s messaging platform. The organizers rely on the members to report such incidents in an effort to keep the community safe and enjoyable.

Modifications

The organizers may, at any time, decide to modify the terms and rules with or without notice to anyone. It is your sole responsibility to check this page regularly for updates and ensure you understand and agree to any changes posted.

Release, waiver, and assumption of risks

You understand that activities from this group can be hazardous, and your participation in such activities may expose you to dangers and hazards including, but not limited to, accidents, property loss, personal injury, illnesses, and death.

By applying to join the group, joining the group, or participating in any event, you (and anyone claiming on your behalf) agree to assume all risks (including, but not limited to, accidents, property loss, personal injury, illnesses, and death) in any way connected directly or indirectly with the group or its events and you forever hereby covenant not to sue, release, waive, and discharge the organizers and event hosts from all claims and liability (knowns, unknowns, past, present, or future) of any kind or origin arising out of or in any way connected directly or indirectly with the group or its events. You acknowledge that you are agreeing to these terms voluntarily and hereby completely and unconditionally forever release the organizers and event hosts of all claims and liability. Leaving the group or Meetup entirely does not void, nullify, or invalidate the terms of this Agreement. You (and anyone claiming on your behalf) agree to forever be bound to the terms of this Agreement in their entirety.

Communications

Additionally, by applying to join the group, joining the group, or participating in any event, you consent to receiving communications from the organizer(s) and by third parties on behalf of the organizers, including using automated means and including commercial messages, via methods offered by Meetup platform and other methods of communications you have provided the organizers (including but not limited to phone, email, text messaging, and instant messaging platforms). Your contact information may be shared with these third parties. These communications may come from individuals, a group of individuals, automated systems (not from a natural person), or a combination of them. We may use technologies such as artificial intelligence (or a form of artificial intelligence) or other automated communication systems in communicating with you and you agree to not hold any of the organizers or any third parties communicating with you on behalf of the organizers liable for any errors or omissions (including the results/effects thereof), whether due to negligence or otherwise. Messaging, data, calling, and other rates may apply. You are fully responsible of all associated costs. Some communications that are made using automated systems or artificial intelligence may appear to come from a natural person and/or may not be marked as such. To opt out of such automated communications, you must 1) leave this Meetup group; and 2) notify the organizers of your request by sending a message stating your request via http://rebrand.ly/623bd (you need to be logged in to your Meetup account) or by visiting https://rebrand.ly/75348 if you no longer have a Meetup account.

No criminal, background, or identity checks

While the organizers try to maintain a great experience for its members and organizers, the organizers is not responsible for the behavior or conduct of members or organizers either online, in-person, during an event, or outside of the groups' events. You agree to not assume the organizers to have conducted any criminal, background, identity checks, or other types of checks on its members or organizers. You agree to interact with other members and organizers at your own risk.

Just as important...

You agree to fully indemnify and hold the Organizers harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, costs, expenses, liabilities, causes of action and damages of every kind and character (including all attorneys fees) which may be asserted by any third party in any way related or incident to, arising out of, or in connection with the group or its events. In addition, you agree to fully indemnify and hold the Organizers harmless from and against any and all costs and expenses of every kind and character (including all attorneys fees, costs of court and expert fees) that are incurred by the Organizers arising out of or related to a third party claim of the type specified in the preceding sentence.

If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, it shall not affect the enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. If you do not fully agree or fully understand any of the terms in this Agreement, please do not apply to join the group, join the group, or participate in any event from this group. By applying to join the group, joining the group, or participating in any event, you agree to enter into this Agreement voluntarily and forever be bound to the terms in the Agreement in their entirety.

The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect or control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

Some content (including, but not limited to, these terms/rules, Agreement, events, photos, and images) posted to this group may be copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction, for any reasons/purposes including mirroring and archival, is prohibited without written consent from the respective author(s).