Any interest in a Boston/New England Saturday meeting?

The best approach is to set up, advertise it, and see who comes. Have to do for two or three months just to get it going.

I agree with Frank. Also, having a consistent day (for us the 3rd Saturday) and time allows people to know when it's coming. Some of the people who come to our meetings are rarely on the helpline, but they know when and where our meetings are. Our first one or two meetings we met in one location, but after we got the ball rolling we considered where everyone lived and changed to a more central location. I hope you get a group going. It's a lot of fun!!

Thanks guys for the tips! Now if Rick would just open an East Coast Travel Center that I could work at in my spare time, I'd be all set! ;).

I am definitely interested, as long as the location isn't too inconvenient.

I would be interested. Someone posed this question about a year ago or so, but nothing got off the ground. Hopefully we'll have more interest this time!

Hi Gretchen: I'd be interested in participating.
I'm just down the 495-South highway from you in Westford. I'm looking forward to my 3rd RS tour in May. Di

It was a year ago this month I visited the Denver Group meeting. And they were having as much fun as it sounded like from their postings. So I proposed one for the Kansas City Area starting in May of last year. For the May, June and July meetings I was the only attendee. No; in July I had to leave after 45 minutes to go to a wedding and missed the arrival of two of our now regular members 10 minutes after I left. In August we had 7 attend. So it does take some time. We also first started meeting on the Country Club Plaza in KC which has a spanish look to it. Designed like buildings in Seville Spain. But we later moved it to closer to where many of us live. And almost every time I see someone post on the Helpline from the KC area I send them a private message to ask them to attend.
It is a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Talking about our favorite topic...TRAVEL. Our meetings are also on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10AM. I think having them all on the same Saturday (the 3rd) gives those who frequent the Helpline several reminders that meeting day is coming up.

Don't forget to send the Franchise Fee to the right place....

I'd come, if possible. 3rd Saturday is a good way to remember it, too, I think. I come down from Portland area, so a location that would be good for taking either the bus or Downeaster would be best for me. My knowledge of Boston is actually limited to taking school field trips and the Way2Logan bus for flights :-)

Hi Gretchen, The Atlanta group started meeting at Panera one Saturday afternoon a month. We have a core group of 10-12 people who have been getting together to talk travel for about 2.5 years. One of our members created a Facebook page so that we can poll the group about meeting dates/locations and also to post travel articles that might be of interest to all. While we have a very active core group, we're always open to new members. In the last year or so we've met less frequently but in addition to an occasional Saturday meeting we've gotten together in the evening for dinner - most often at an Italian restaurant but recently we met at a Chinese restaurant to celebrate a couples upcoming trip to China. We've also had holiday parties in members homes to celebrate a marriage, the birth of a baby, we visited Sweetwater Brewery to celebrate Oktoberfest and went on a museum tour. We find that we all have a lot in common and enjoy our get-togethers. Based on our experience, I'd highly encourage you to set up a meeting in Boston/New England. You'll make some wonderful friends!

Thanks, Nigel; he meant me...I'm sure of it ;-) Looks like there's definitely interest!

Well, it looks like there's some interest so I will try to get something set up. I like the idea of meeting the third Saturday since many other RS groups do it that day and I think it will help keep it straight in people's minds. Of course I have a conference, a wedding shower, and a wedding already set for the third Saturdays in April, May, and June, so for now at least that's out. Also, I see many of us are really spread out too (the farthest being about 2 1/2 hours from Boston). Once we get started, maybe we could alternate locations. Panera Bread looks to be popular since there is free wi-if and room to sit. I will think a little bit about this and get back to everyone. In the meantime, if anyone sees anyone on the helpline from New England, please mention this thread to them. :) Also, thanks to all the others who offered advice on getting the groups going. Each time I see one listed, I get a little jealous that you all are having a great time without me. ;)

I'd be interested! I'm 35 mins outside of Boston, and would love to meet up with fellow travelers.

I would be interested also. I live just outside New York City.

Hi Everyone, I wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten about getting together. I'm trying to figure out the best location for the first meeting since we're all from all around NE. I'm thinking we can aim for Saturday June 15 for our first meeting (the third Saturday of the month). I can't do the third week in May due to other obligations. If anyone has any specific suggestions for a location, please PM me. :)

Hi Gretchen, Thanks for the update and thank you for your effort to organize this! I've put June 15 on my calendar. Cheers.

ttt - (to the top) Was thinking of this today and reminding myself that I have an "appointment" for the June 15 - just don't know where, yet :-)

Hi Betsey (and everyone else), I haven't forgotten about this, don't worry. ;) I was just checking online yesterday for some Panera's locations. There's one on High St in Boston, kinda in between South Station and Fanueil Hall. However, I read a review online that says the inside is somewhat convoluted so I don't know how much space we'll have to spread out. I wanna try to check it out in person first before I pick it as a definite. Otherwise, there are some other spots. We'll see and I'll post as soon as I know. :)

Here's the info for the meeting: https://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/104955/first-bostonnew-england-meeting--615.html 6/15 at 11:00 am. at Panera Bread on High Street in Boston

OMG, how fun! Just stumbled upon this tonight. Am very interested in hearing how your 6/15/13 meeting in Boston turned out, and also interested in joining the group. Am 57, work in the field of higher ed/international education in Boston and love to schmooze with others who have wander-lust! Husband's career is all-consuming, though sometimes he's up for an adventure abroad... College-aged kids don't yet think it's cool to travel with mom... Have lived/worked/studied abroad for some years. Especially love Europe, visit France every year and soon plan to purchase an investment property in Languedoc. Also continue to go volunteer in my ancestral homeland of Lithuania every summer - have native fluency in the language, many relatives there, and am very familiar with most parts of that country. If anyone is interested in exploring Lithuania this summer I will be there mid-July. Also in Prague in early July. Like to travel modestly,find local festivals,stay at family-run pensions/guesthouses. Prefer European cities/towns/villages, not so much rural areas. Am very active,lots of energy so enjoy walking/exploring at least 10 hours per day - with frequent stops at cafes to refuel with caffeine or wine!;-) Would love to hear how many in New England want to connect like this on a regular Saturday basis...and possibly to travel together in small pairs/groups.

Hi Virga, Three made it to the first meeting of a New England RS group on June 15. We had a delightful time sharing travel stories and trip pictures. I am awaiting delivery of my first Shutterfly picture book - made after I appreciated Gretchen's books (far easier to bring than a scrapbook journal). The coming summer 3rd Saturdays are very busy -- July 20 and Aug 17 -- but I want to visit one more time for the summer, so Aug 17 will find me back at the High St Panera shop and I'll post a thread if one isn't already up for that date when the time arrives. Cheers.

I was working out of town at the time of the last meeting, but am very interested in the August meeting. I'll be working in the Back Bay.

I'm glad to see that everyone is interested in joining in! We had a great time at the first meeting (I'm glad to hear that you made that book Betsey!). We definitely will have another one hopefully soon. However, other summer obligations(weddings, vacations, etc) may mAke it hard to meet again before September, but we'll try. I look forward to meeting even more of you! :)