With individuals, I set up recurring commitments (i.e. dinner on the first Sunday of every month). If something comes up, we reschedule to a specific time, but otherwise that’s the default.
To see everyone, I run a theatre outings listserv that anyone can suggest events to, and I regularly organize outings (or installments of the Sondheim Film Festival) and bake to sweeten the deal. Having content-oriented event makes it easier for new people to be integrated into the group, since they have some shared thing to talk about in a way they don’t at generic parties.
For more far flung people, we’ve done Google Hangouts linked to specific events (i.e. kibitzing after the VP debate). Pegging it to a specific event means we have something to talk about and that everyone is willing to accommodate a specific day, instead of dithering forever about the optimal time. After a bit of discussion, we usually end up generally hanging out and giving updates on our lives.
With individuals, I set up recurring commitments (i.e. dinner on the first Sunday of every month). If something comes up, we reschedule to a specific time, but otherwise that’s the default.
To see everyone, I run a theatre outings listserv that anyone can suggest events to, and I regularly organize outings (or installments of the Sondheim Film Festival) and bake to sweeten the deal. Having content-oriented event makes it easier for new people to be integrated into the group, since they have some shared thing to talk about in a way they don’t at generic parties.
For more far flung people, we’ve done Google Hangouts linked to specific events (i.e. kibitzing after the VP debate). Pegging it to a specific event means we have something to talk about and that everyone is willing to accommodate a specific day, instead of dithering forever about the optimal time. After a bit of discussion, we usually end up generally hanging out and giving updates on our lives.