After an online discussion a few months ago, a small group of people suggested that we have a social/business gathering…EthioMeetup, composed of local DC area Ethiopian Professionals, is an environment in which people get introduced to each other for various social opportunities.
Em, ya it has been done hasn’t it? Well it has, and is being done, so why should we organize one when there is one or two or three already?
About five of us gathered and discussed what we should do and why we should do it. The answer is simple, other gatherings in our experience have not been inclusive; meaning that people come to the happy hour with their own friends; they have a drink, socialize and leave.
The problem: No one gets introduced to someone new, Generally speaking. Those who come together leave together circa last Friday at the club.
The solution, you come there; compulsory introduction at the beginning of the MeetUp.
The process: We metup for the first time in June, about 20 people showed up. We basically had an introduction session and then introduced EthioMeetUp and its objective.
The group’s aim is simple and straight forward: let’s meet, introduce ourselves to each other and have fun. Anything more is just that…a plus!
The plan: we will continue to have a MeetUp, once a month on the second Friday of the month, unless announced otherwise. We will try to make the gathering more interactive via communal games. We will document out MeetUp via digital photos and create an online archival photo-gallery at EthioMeetUp.
If you live in the DC area, if this sounds interesting to you, your first step will be to subscribe to our listserv via Google Groups. And then come join us at our next MeetUp which is scheduled to be Sept 21, 2007 at 6:30 pm. For details visit EthioMeetup.com.
Published by September 18th, 2007 in Shameless Plug and Social.Send this post to a friend
I think it’s a great idea but do people really make it ontime for the introduction? Or is it “whoever makes it there at 6:30″ Cause I would love to come but 6:30 is impossible considering my 90min commute just to get to DC. Either way, I applaud the effort. It would be worthwhile to also use this as a way to network and help each other out…just my thoughts.
It seems a good idea except one thing … is it only for Professionals? I don’t know why this is mentioned here.
I think its a great idea .Just becareful so that it won’t become another show off ground for people.I don’t live in DC area but I doubt If I would join you guys even if I were there.Cause I have had it with Habeshs and Gatherings .
Good Luck
[quote comment="78503"]I think its a great idea .Just becareful so that it won’t become another show off ground for people.I don’t live in DC area but I doubt If I would join you guys even if I were there.Cause I have had it with Habeshs and Gatherings .
Good Luck[/quote]
curious? where do you live and what have you had it… maybe we could learn a thing or two from you,…
[quote comment="78498"]It seems a good idea except one thing … is it only for Professionals? I don’t know why this is mentioned here.[/quote]
there are many things around for students groups, there are other social events.. its time for professional one.. i think that is inclusive enough ?? don’t u think!!
how about if im az professional student??
they have something like this in NY and i attended once, but the group was mostly those who are in the wall street circle…what is the demographic for this one?
I think it is a lovely idea. Maybe Ethiopian communities in other States could follow in your lead and have gatherings of professionals as well. Let us know how it goes.
People stick with the ones they come with because there is an excruciatingly painful abesha characterstic trait called “fear of rejection by a stranger” LOL
Nol, I think the ‘compulsory introduction’ is a great idea. I have some friends who are among the regulars in the NY happy-hour meet-up. But when I asked my cousin if she met ’so and so’ after she came back from her first meet-up, she didn’t know most of them. Not only that, the problem you mentioned about ‘people who come together leave together’ was also true.
Good luck on this one!
Maheber tejemere malet new..Nice
meron who cares about demography minamin, why do u have to complicate it… just come or don’t… beqa simple as that
moi, i didn’t know the cause is of fear of rejection…. but the question “does fear of rejection make a person anti social?”
i am not sure
thanks wud,
i didn’t know mahaber was a social gathering… esti someon explain to me the essense of what mahaber is?
I am so happy that you are doing this, I’ve been looking for something like this all over. I will be there on Friday and can’t wait to meet some of you.
Have a great week!
“Hi, my name is ******, and I’m a serial masturbator”
real quote.
nolawi great effort organizing ,i wish i lived in DC.nice to see people like you always trying to bring our community together.
but mr. toothpick you just down nasty ,if you are trying to be funny i missed the joke forgive me.
Nol,
Is this “ye qulubi” or “ye michael” mahber or may be edir….edir sounds better. Collect $ 2 from each person every time they show up and do a door prize minamin.
Seriously, I think this is a great idea. In the past some might have had some bad experiences and that does not mean it is a bad idea. I have no doubt that there will be enough people to get excited about this. Be it sira filega, medeberia or mist filega people need people and you are offering the platform for that. Just persist and I am sure you will be glad you did.
Nolawi,
Yes, of course. Fear of rejection is the main reason for being anti-social. Abesho-ch come in groups and stay with their group to avoid the risk of talking to a stranger and being ignored, mocked or whatever else. The group of friends is the safety blanket, the comfy zone if you will. Just my little two cents.
ok but its not just abeshoch that have social problems!
What’s the age group on this meet up?
Great idea. I would have come if I lived in the DC area!
[quote comment="78835"]What’s the age group on this meet up?[/quote]
there is no age group minamin … if you are grwon up come if not … go play eqa eqa!
hahahahha! aAnte lij min yishAlhal!!!lol
[quote comment="78888"][quote comment="78835"]What’s the age group on this meet up?[/quote]
there is no age group minamin … if you are grwon up come if not … go play eqa eqa![/quote]
I like that …………”go play eqa eqa—
Wish I lived in DC…would def have attended…SBS @ the eqa eqa comment
I still am not clear on why we really need to meet. Are we there to search our lost Ribs? do we need to meet some profesionals whom we considered might solve our current project? I can’t imagine how people found it very easy to meet up certain bunches of strangers at a fixed time and say hello to everyone and introduce his/her name and their profession…and then what? I mean, don’t you think there should be a definite purpose on why we really need to meet. meeting person just for the sake of meeting them seems wiered. or it doesnt go beyound our inherent desire to let others who we really are and brag about our accomplishments and what makes us different from the rest of TERAW HIZB….which usually is our patriotic mistake and our intelectual arrogance.
what kinda nick is why, why do people want to comment and use the name location to comment instead of creating a name minamin… ehhh it annoys me so much…
we are lonely… bored and nothing to do… so we hang out…
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big ups to ephrem from blengrafix!
Here Goes the Suspecious mind ,May be they are goign to steal a kindey or Cheguara minamin …ha ha ha
Why do we need a reason to do everything .Chill out ,This is not a project .You don’t need to write a proposal.Just do it .
If you want to make it more scientific though ,You can look in to Social Psychology readings you can find as many reasons as you want on group psychology and sociology .
Just take it easy and wish them luck
You know what Nolawi and Winta overdosed on the humor pill, I tell you. You guys are a hoot!
This is sarcasm at it’s best lol. It deserves an award I swear.
I think you’re trying to make sure he/she (why?) does not show up. Lol that was funny.
One question to Why….why do people always complain about someone else’s efforts/ideas but never give a suggestion of their own? Also in case you missed this part of the article….here it goes again
Obviously your social calendar is full so guess having fun or having anything more may be out of the question so why ask why in the first place? Let me give you an example I personally wouldn’t attend but I did tell my cousins who live in the east coast about it. So spread the word sista (I take it you is a girly.)
One suggestion to Nolawi and the Meet up crew…..I think it’s partly your responsibility to make sure people meet. You need to mingle more with everyone and know their interests/profession so that you can do the introduction if they won’t do it themselves. If you ever have a sit down dinner then do a seat assignment of separating the cliquish groups. What’s the point if all those who meet have already met? Maybe do a profile of everyone on your site without mentioning names….I don’t know but something has to come out of this great idea.
I’ve attended the black professionals meeting before and once they had a sit down dinner with seat assignments. I was seated with people I have never met and ended up making great friends from that experience so this may work too.
Meeting at a bar all the time may give the impression that this is a “meat market” in the making so you gotta be careful of the location you choose also. Don’t always have alcohol at the event and don’t use alcohol to get interests either. Just my thought.
This is a great idea especially for those in the DC area so good luck!
Nolawi, would love to play eqa eqa if you would be the groom on the play……
Choatic or Chaotic, I think you may be the one who wants to play eqa eqa as you’re interested to know the age group before hand.
Wow,
All Nolawi was saying, correct me if I am wrong, let’s get together and spend an hour or two building up on our personal network. That’s all!! We should not underestimate who-is-who in the Habesha Community. You may be introduced to someone who may play a major role changing your professional life in the future. On the other hand, for some of us who are still stuck in the world of Eqa-Eqa, there are so many venues out there to cater your desire. No one is forcing anyone to do anything.
Big up Nolawi!!
Professional, wezader, everyone just do it.
You may also meet a date, friend etc. who cares! just have fun. Us in the West Coast want to know what happens tonight.So update us by monday.
oh already started it should be 6:00 in DC. Good luck you all…………
[quote comment="78740"]meron who cares about demography minamin, why do u have to complicate it… just come or don’t… beqa simple as that
moi, i didn’t know the cause is of fear of rejection…. but the question “does fear of rejection make a person anti social?”
i am not sure
thanks wud,
i didn’t know mahaber was a social gathering… esti someon explain to me the essense of what mahaber is?[/quote]
You gather, talk, eat qolo…in ethiopia, that is…
aight for those that are not signed up on the list serve/// don’t forget to come
its nice idea ma ppl !!!
we have also a similar groop hier in €urope , but its not big . and we are not only ethiopians ..I mean there are also ertrians ( all Habesha ppl )
any way keep in touch …
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