[Yorio]

Originally Posted by bandsdavis

OK, let me make a suggestion. We were there also, and had a great time talking with Steve, Paul and Gail, but I must admit to feeling quite segregated from the rest of the group. There was one long table where perhaps 20 people were able to sit and talk. Paul, Gail, Sue and I had to sit at another table a ways from the larger group, with really no way to communicate with the rest, other than perhaps to stand behind the other table and try to talk that way; awkward at best. Steve was nice enough to come over and join us, and we had a great time. But, it seems to me that the purpose of these meetings is to meet a number of different people, which given the layout today, was difficult. Has it ever been considered to meet somewhere that provides the opportunity to mingle, rather than just sit at tables? Perhaps at a rec center. We were looking forward to meeting more people, but that just didn't seem possible under the circumstances of the layout.

B.

We faced the same situation when we attended the first get-together and unfortunately, I don't know the right answer. It's sort of like in high school luncheons where old friends want to be with old friends. I don't think it's willful but very hard to break in to the group. Now that we have been a so called "old timer", we don't mind welcoming newbies but nothing to indicate they are new or old. At our neighborhood garage parties, I make it a point to introduce newbies to the old group but don't know how to do this at TOTV. Perhaps we need an organizing group that will have a reception for signing in for newbies with their e-mail addresses and newbie name tag so long time group can make it a point to welcome them to the group and their tables.