Where do you want to meet?
You need a warm place with comfortable seating, tea and coffee and possibly food available, and reasonably private if in a public place at a quiet time in the day. It needs to be easy to find and with enough parking if your membership is scattered across the countryside
Here are some ideas:
Community centres such as social and sports clubs, church or village halls can provide excellent meeting places. Most charge by the hour. Some will support a new group for a reduced fee out of goodwill.
Modern community amenities have kitchens and some have computer rooms or wi-fi! Don’t forget to check that any cost will be shared amongst the members. Brill Business Group use the Sports and Social Cub and charge £3 per meeting to cover costs.
To find out what amenities are in a village hall near you, contact ORCC
Support your local pub or coffee shop (check with the owners that your get-together will be welcome) (e.g. Adderbury, Launton, Eynsham, )
Host in a member’s office or workplace: agree to bring and share refreshments and stick to time – after all, it is his or her place of work! (e.g. Hook Norton, Tackley)
Host in your home: a cheap and welcoming option. Chilton is meeting every six weeks in a different members home, three other groups occasionally meet in each other’s homes instead of their regular venues. This arrangement may feel too unbusiness like for some people who would prefer a more formal arrangement. Stick to time if the meeting is during the day - after all, this home is also a place of work!
Check the day before that the venue is still open and expecting you – nothing worse than turning up to a hall, pub or restaurant to find it closed!