[Sandtrap328]

Whatever venue is chosen, cost is a factor. Would Panera or some other restaurant be willing to give a space for free even if no one buys anything? I have been to a few Crispers meets and never saw anything except maybe a cold drink being purchased by a couple of members.

I used to attend Sunday night trivia at City Fire. Trivia players filled most of the restaurant. Very few bought food. Most had a beer or two. Some players just ordered ice water and extra lemon and made lemonade-and never tipped the waitress. City Fire finally said ENOUGH and Sunday trivia rents space from Canal Street Rec Center.

[delima2000]

Dunkin donuts on 441 near the hospital has a meeting room.

[rubicon]

You are going to need a fact finding committee before anything of substance can be discussed . I doubt you will find any restaurant that would provide a room unless they had a guarantee of a set amount of money to pay for the room.

is there a charge to use a rec center room?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

All,

I can only attend meetings over the summer due to a conflict the other 9 months of the year. I am open to what ever the group decides, all of the suggestions on the ballot appear reasonable. I like the idea of a rec center, as this provides the possibility of an indoor meeting. my wife occasionally attends and she really does not like the heat. Also, if a rec center is chosen, this could be bring a snack to share, and whatever you want to drink.

If a restaurant or similar is chosen, we liked the idea of ordering take out at the end of the meeting and then going home.

I hope the group can stay together, I was looking forward to see you all again over the summer.

VT

I like the pot luck idea, villagetinker. If it is more of a share-a-meal social occasion, maybe more would attend.

Another thought: Seabreeze rec center has an outdoor covered picnic area.

[SALYBOW]

I agree they have a meeting room

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by rubicon

You are going to need a fact finding committee before anything of substance can be discussed . I doubt you will find any restaurant that would provide a room unless they had a guarantee of a set amount of money to pay for the room.

is there a charge to use a rec center room?

Rubicon. I wanted to get a dialog started about this so that we can look at this topic from a lot of angles. And this Villages is so much bigger than when the group decided on Crispers in 2008.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by aframe

A thought.....Colony has a covered pavilion with picnic tables which can be moved around. Washrooms within 50 ft. and parking within 100 feet. water fountains also, or byob.

The last meeting I went to was about 5 or 6 years ago in the summer when the temp was 97 degrees and they decided to set outside except about 8 of us who sat inside. Not exactly a social get together....

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by LittleDog

Ellen is right about the lack of attendance lately at the monthly meetings. If so few people are not interested in attending for whatever reason than personally I don't see the need to continue these meetings.

Originally Posted by DonH57

Looking back at some older pics of gatherings long ago the attendance was really high and normally a fairly sized group. It's been declining since.

It's true that when TOTV was new, the attendance at monthly TOTV meetings was huge, and it's been declining ever since.
Back in 2008 when there were only 2,000 members, a lot of us went in the Chat Room every night.
We got to know each other and socialized together. I still count some of the "oldies" as my dearest friends.
Now with The Villages growing and a huge TOTV membership, things have changed a lot.
People seem busier now with neighborhood gatherings, golf, lunch with friends, groups such as Parrotheads, etc.
I don't think it's a bad thing -- just a sign of the times.

[twoplanekid]

Gee, I have enjoyed the four or more Crisper gatherings that I have attended as a snowbird. Now that I am finally a permanent resident of TV to present my case as such in all discussions, there may not be a gathering?

I would enjoy meeting in a rec center closer to the current center of TV with face to face discussions of current interesting forum topics as well as meeting people. Invite a TV official to tell their story at a meeting!

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

It's true that when TOTV was new, the attendance at monthly TOTV meetings was huge, and it's been declining ever since.
Back in 2008 when there were only 2,000 members, a lot of us went in the Chat Room every night.
We got to know each other and socialized together. I still count some of the "oldies" as my dearest friends.
Now with The Villages growing and a huge TOTV membership, things have changed a lot.
People seem busier now with neighborhood gatherings, golf, lunch with friends, groups such as Parrotheads, etc.
I don't think it's a bad thing -- just a sign of the times.

Well said Barefoot. The growth of the villages does have an inpact and I believe TOTV grew as more and more people were looking for answers concerning their move here. There are a lot of members here Ellen and I wish we got to meet.

[Henryk]

Have you considered booking conference rooms at on of the libraries?

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Henryk

Have you considered booking conference rooms at on of the libraries?

Sumter County, FL - Official Website

That's a good idea. Will have to check out if they allow food and the like.

[justjim]

The last two that I attended there was only a "handful". It's true TV has grown and 466 is no where near the center of TV. I'm not saying the meeting has to be right in the center but probably at least Sumter Landing would be better to attract "Newbies" to the meetings and maybe "Oldies" would like a change of scenery too. Someone mentioned Panera Bread. Busy, busy so perhaps a meeting every month is a bit much. Once quarterly a lunch doesn't sound bad to me. We are "snowflakes" (own/come and go) but maybe "frogs" in the future. The meetings have been informal and I believe you need to be organized in order to get a room in a Recreational Center. Just some thoughts.......

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by justjim

The last two that I attended there was only a "handful". It's true TV has grown and 466 is no where near the center of TV. I'm not saying the meeting has to be right in the center but probably at least Sumter Landing would be better to attract "Newbies" to the meetings and maybe "Oldies" would like a change of scenery too. Someone mentioned Panera Bread. Busy, busy so perhaps a meeting every month is a bit much. Once quarterly a lunch doesn't sound bad to me. We are "snowflakes" (own/come and go) but maybe "frogs" in the future. The meetings have been informal and I believe you need to be organized in order to get a room in a Recreational Center. Just some thoughts.......

I believe you are right about using meeting rooms in the recreation centers that they must be an organized club or group .

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by DonH57

I believe you are right about using meeting rooms in the recreation centers that they must be an organized club or group .

What would we need to be an "organized" group in the Villages?