Music and Dancing in Bexhill Eastbourne Hastings - Over 35s

Music,  dancing and other active events are the primary focus of this group. Other active events will cover things such as Joke/quote and a drink, Crazy Golf, Tenpin Bowling, Axe Throwing, Archery, etc plus the occasional unusual event (e.g. Outdoor dystopian theatre by the Rudes). Other interests such as walking/hiking, going to restaurants and bars are well handled by other groups.

PLEASE READ THIS DESCRIPTION BEFORE JOINING
Only join if you intend to participate, prefer a smaller participatory group rather than a large number who never or very rarely get involved.

Membership Fee
An £8 annual membership fee is charged to cover running and administration costs (starting 1st October each year). No refunds of this fee will be provided.
New members will be given one month to pay the annual membership fee and determine if the group is for them. If new members feel they would enjoy being part of the group they can either pay me or another organizer at an event during that period or message me and I will forward my bank details. Failure to pay the annual membership fee in this time period will result in their removal from the group.

Anyone removed from the group for not paying their £5 annual membership fee will always have the opportunity to rejoin but their membership will not be approved until their membership fee has been received (this has enacted to avoid people repeatedly joining the group and opting to not pay their yearly £5 membership)..

Repeated Guest Attendance
Members are encouraged to bring guests along to group events. However if the same guest comes to a number of events they will be expected to pay the £5 annual membership fee. This fee is needed to fund the group.
The procedure will be either the guest pays the £5 annual membership, the individual who invited the guest pays the £5 annual membership for the repeated guest or the member inviting the repeated guest will be removed from the group.
This procedure is needed to make the rules consistent for everyone. New members have a month to decide if they wish to join and pay the £5 annual membership and this policy puts repeated guests into the same effective situation.

Group Description
Group directed at those who like music and dancing (main focus). Primary purpose is to bring together people who enjoy doing similar things (particularly music and dancing) and whose company and interactions we enjoy. Other active events will be tried to give members opportunities to try different things and develop rapport.


Age/Attitudes
For over 35’s (past the need for drunkenness and prior to pushing up the daises). Attitude and energy not age are the key factors. Plus we can all learn from each other.

Key criteria: politeness, energy, curiosity, good humour, friendly banter, sobriety (have a few drinks but drunks not appreciated) and participation (if not, why are you joining this group).

Other preferable attitudes of members are positiveness and ease of smiling. Although not a prerequisite, hopefully that is something that the interactions within the group will help generate.


Locations
Activities basically in the south coast area covering Bexhill, Eastbourne and Hastings.

Locations for activities/events should be accessible by public transport i.e. within a 30 minute walk of a train station or an operating bus service – ecology, no danger of drink driving and I don’t have a car. Events can be held outside the described area but these may require designated drivers.


Picture/ticketed events/notifications
If you join the group you should place a ‘recognisable’ picture of yourself on the profile page. Otherwise it will be totally your responsibility to find the group/host.

If there is a ticketed event posted then you should get a ticket before marking that you are going.

If you mark you are going to an event and subsequently find you cannot attend, at a minimum adjust your attendance status (politeness rule). To increase your politeness send a message to the host either on the event page or via messages.

Marking going, failing to come and not updating attendance status
A three strike rule (baseball terminology) will be used if you mark that you are attending an event, do not come and do not, at a minimum, update your attendance status. The procedure for such occurrences are:

• First time: A message will be sent to the individual reminding them of the politeness rule and of informing the host of any attendance changes.
• Second time: A message will be sent to the individual repeating the above and informing them that if that happens again they will be remove from the group.
• Third time: The individual will be removed from the group.

Clarification of the Strike Rule:
Members may choose to go to events mentioned by the group on their own and not as part of the group for various reasons (e.g. going with your family, want some private time, etc.). Saying Hi and chatting to the group attendees in such circumstances is strongly supported. If this is your intention please do not mark going on the event. Marking going to an event means you wish to go to the event and be part of the group going to that event. If you mark going to an event it is upto you to either come within a reasonable time of the meetup time/place or find/contact the host/group if you arrive somewhat later. Marking going to an event and not updating your status or meeting these rules will  incur a strike and if you incur 3 strikes you will be removed from the group.

Member Interactions
All members should make honest efforts to make others feel at ease and be part of the group. Protracted oligarchic conversations discouraged. Ask others for their opinions, smile and adopt other positive attitudes/acknowledgements and employ active/full listening (probably the most deficient area for us all).

Previous Interactions between members prior to joining the group
There could be issues between members that have occurred in situations prior to joining this group or outside this group. We may not be able to really like everyone we meet but we can be always be civil and polite.

My responsibility is to the group, it’s members and their interactions. If there are any such existing/outstanding issues I ask that when you join this group you start with a clean slate or better still resolve them. We are all fallible, make mistakes, etc and we all have the ability to recover, resolve, forgive and move on.

I point out what I feel is the brilliant first rule of Takanakuy which could be adopted at any time.

• First Rule of Takanakuy
• The South American country of Peru has an interesting tradition held every year on December 25. In addition to Christmas, they celebrate Takanakuy. Takanakuy is when you settle your grudges for the year. Men, women, and kids all participate. They challenge each other, they fight each other, and when it’s all done they make peace and move on.

Should issues occur within the group I will deal with them to the best of my abilities.


Acronym
To be determined. Would like to create an acronym for the group that is easy to use and one that hopefully creates a positive/amusing vibe. Have some ideas but would need group acceptance.


Events
Assuming take-off velocity achieved general/get together meetings may be held in each of the main areas for a coffee/drink and to develop rapport.


OTHER IDEAS
Some other ideas for possible meetups are given. Music and dancing are the main objectives of this group but other events may be worthwhile to provide more diversity and opportunities to get together. These would be determined on feelings from group members.


Joke/Quote and a drink.
Each person should endeavour (not mandatary) to come with a joke/quote. This should help create some good natured humour/moans and some interesting conversation topics. Don’t have one, get one from the internet.
Be careful about these two – they could reveal more about your character and personality than you are aware.
Could be split into two events.
Could even have themed such nights e.g. Age, Animals, Attitude/Outlook, Business, Communication, etc.
Could vote for the best (by claps, applause, reactions) and then attendees buy the winner a drink (but remember no drunks). For the drink - pool together, take turns, worst one buys the best one a drink, whoever wants to be the judge can buy the drink, at worst I’ll be the judge, jury and patron. Note: I will be able to select myself as winner in the last scenario.


Seminars/Presentations/Lectures
Members may have interests which they may wish to share with others. For me, this would be the  Cosmos and particularly any new insights into dark energy, dark matter and the quantum area.
Plus the Pechakucha presentations which should restart soon.


Other activities - Crazy golf, tenpin bowling, axe throwing, darts, snooker, bridge, etc.
To further increase the diversity of ‘events offered by the group other things may be occasionally posted. Could have other activities like crazy golf, monthly bridge (card game), darts and snooker nights. These would need a location. These will be tried depending on the interests of the members and the location of suitable facilities.
The social club I belong to in Bexhill has such facilities for snooker and darts but I can only bring two guests (annual membership £25).