STICKY NOTE: Basic info about NE ATC+ Meetups--what happens, what to bring

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NE ATC+ MEETUPS:

SO WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ATC+ MEETUP? In a nutshell: It's when a highly creative group of people gathers for a hands-on day of making artist trading cards (ATCs), postcards, altered books and other paper-based arts and crafts.

WHAT ARE ARTIST TRADING CARDS? Read our primer, "All About ATCS," available from our Welcome page and in the Files section.

WHO ATTENDS? Our members are diverse in terms of age, location, background, artistic approach and experience. We've got professional artists and complete newbies and everything in between. Attendance ranges from about 10 or 12 to 20 or more, depending on the timing. Learn more about our members by reading their profiles in the Members section.

WHEN DO YOU MEET? About once a month on a Saturday or Sunday. Exact hours vary, but we usually go from about 10 a.m.-5 p.m., sometimes later. Many people come for the full day; others just show up for a few hours.

WHERE DO YOU MEET? Wherever we can find room for a bunch of craftspeople and all their stuff. Lately, we've been meeting in a large classroom at the Button Box, a quilt shop on the Natick/Wellesley line. For directions, see the Files section.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT ONE OF THESE THINGS? Typically, Meetups follow some variation on this agenda: In the morning, people usually work on their own projects--mostly ATCs, but also postcards, altered books, journals, etc.--with a lot of talking and sharing of supplies and ideas. Even first-timers just sit down and start making stuff.

We typically do a group monthly challenge and a monthly themed swap (for details on these activities, see the "how-to" documents in the Files section or the "sticky notes" at the top of the Messages section). We usually have demos or discussions on topics such as making ATC backgrounds, working with hot wax or acrylic paints and using shrink-plastic images on ATCs.

A sample agenda might look something like this:

--Doors open at 10:30 a.m. .

---Hands-on crafting: All day.

---Show-and-tell, open trading: All day.

---Lunch: On your own, whenever you want. Brown-bag or pick up nearby (organizer has menus).

---Themed Swap: If you previously signed up to participate in the optional themed swap, drop off your cards by 1 p.m. You'll receive a packet of cards back before you leave.

---Monthly Challenge: If you'd like to participate in the optional monthly challenge, drop off your contributed elements by 1 p.m. Pick up the challenge kit before you leave.

--Demonstration: We'll demonstrate [whatever technique] at 2 p.m., followed by [whatever otehr technique] at 3 p.m.

--Clean-up: Starts around 4:15 p.m.

--Doors close: 4:45 p.m.

HOW DO I ATTEND A MEETUP? Just join our group, then RSVP "yes" for the event.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO A MEETUP? See the document titled "ATC Meetups--What to Bring," in the Files section section and in the sticky notes at the top of the Messages section.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT SWAPS AND CHALLENGES? See the "how-to-play" documents in the Files section and in the sticy notes at the top of the Messages section.

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW? Please read the group's ground rules, available as a document in the Files section.

Questions? Contact your organizer via the link on the home page.

NE ATC+ MEETUPS--WHAT TO BRING

Following are suggestions for what to bring to a NE ATC+ card-making session (i.e., our regular Meetups, all-day events involving lots of hands-on activity and demonstrations; held at least once a month):

 Your own blank trading cards or cardstock for making them.

 Your own basic tools: comfortable scissors, glue (Alene's Tacky Glue or the Crafter's Pick are good all-purpose liquid glues; UHU is a good gluestick choice), a ruler, craft mat or old cutting board.

 Your own supplies. Depending upon what types of ATCs you're making, these might include collage materials, rubber stamps, pens and pencils, wtaercolor or acrylic paint, embellishments, etc. Please note: We meet in borrowed space that isn't well ventilated, so please don't bring any potentially damaging or toxic supplies.

Don't have any supplies or tools yet? No problem. Every Meetup features a loaner table stocked with blank cards and basic supplies. So even if you show up empty-handed, you'll be able to assemble a basic toolkit and jump right into the action.

 Your own water or soft drinks; your own lunch or lunch money, if applicable.

 Your share of our costs (typically $5-$10; announced in advance. Costs are fixed even if you arrive late or leave early; small bils are appreciated).

Following are optional bring-alongs for ATC card-making sessions:

 Your own previously made ATCs for trading or show-and-tell.

 Your unwanted supplies to give away in the Free Stuff bin.

 Supplies, books, etc., that you are willing to share. Put your name on them and indicate whether they are for use on-site or available for loan between Meetups. (We have a loaner table for such items.)

 Xyron machines and other tools (if you don't yet know what these are, don't worry--you will!)

Following is a suggested list of what to bring to an ATC card-trading session (typically a 2-3 hour event that involves no hands-on card-making; these are held a few times a year):

 Your own finished cards for trading (see note below*). Depending on the type of exchange, you may want to bring everything you have available to swap, or just the cards that pertain to a specific theme.

 Your own finished cards for show-and-tell (optional).

 Cards that you have collected from others for show-and-tell (optional).
o Consider keeping show-and-tell cards in albums to better protect them.

 Clear sleeves for storing cards you give and receive (nice, but optional; we can supply these sleeves if needed.)

What if you don't yet have any cards to trade? Come anyway and see how it works; you can always bring cards next time!


-- May 2008

NEW ENGLAND ATC+ MEETUP GROUP
GROUND RULES


This is an easy-going community dedicated to "coloring outside the lines," so we have only a few rules. They're intended to keep our activities friendly, fun and fair to all:


1. Only ATC+ Meetup Group members and guests may attend ATC+ events.
If you're not a member but want to come to a Meetup, just join the group on Meetup.com. It's free, you control the amount of contact and you can "un-join" anytime.


2. Event space is limited; members must sign up in advance for each Meetup.
Our events are typically near capacity, so head count counts! Sign-ups are first-come, first-served--reserve your spot ASAP. Don't assume that we know you'll be there--RSVP and make it official (see #3 below). If you're bringing a guest, you must RSVP for that person as well. Space limitations are the reason that Ground Rule #3 is so important:

3. Members need to use Meetup's RSVP function to sign up for ATC+ events.

• If you plan to attend, RSVP "yes." This is the only way to reserve a spot, and you must RSVP even if you won't be there for the full day. Please don't e-mail the organizer to make or change your RSVP?go to Meetup.com and use the handy self-service RSVP function on your own.
  
  
• If you're not sure, RSVP "maybe" (if that option is offered). Change it to "yes" or "no" when you know for sure--preferably 1 week or more before the event. If you're still a "maybe" 3 days before the event, we may assume you're not coming and offer your space to someone else.
  
  
• If you can't make it at all, RSVP "no." If your plans change and you wish to attend, change your RSVP to "yes" (assuming that space is available).
  
  
• If you're bringing a guest, include him/her in your RSVP ("+ 1 guest"). If your guests can't make it, update their RSVPs. Check with the organizer if you'd like to bring more than 1-2 guests.
  
  
• If you haven't RSVP'd at all, we'll assume you're a "no." You must RSVP "yes" to attend (assuming that space is available).
  
  
• If an event is full, you must either wait for a space to open up or contact the organizer for permission to attend.
  
  And please update your RSVP right up to the day of the event.
  
  Why are RSVPs so important? First, so we know how many people to expect and we don't worry about those who don't show up. Also, our events are typically full, so if you cancel your "reservation" someone else can attend. (New members: If you want to just drop by to see what we're about, this is OK anytime-- just contact the organizer.)
  
  
  4. All ATC+ activities are completely optional.
  
  5. Members should expect to help cover (minimal) Meetup costs. The organizer typically collects $5 per person per event, which helps cover out-of-pocket payments for the Meetup.com Web site, ATC envelopes, name tags, postage, shared supplies, etc. Fees are the same for all attendees, even those who only attend part of an event. Our costs are the same regardless of when people arrive and depart. If the fees are a hardship, talk to your organizer and we'll work something out.
  
  6. Membership involves at least occasional participation, online or in person. The organizer occasionally removes inactive members from the group. "Inactive members" are those who haven't visited the Web site, attended events or RSVP'd for three months or more. To remain an active member, just drop by the Web site once in awhile. And inactive or "removed" members are welcome to rejoin the group anytime.
  
  7. Members need to check with the organizer before selling or advertising anything on the Web site or at a Meetup. As a new community, we're still working out what's OK and what's over the line. Following are our current guidelines:
  
  Acceptable (and even encouraged):
  
  
  
  • Posting your personal unbiased recommendations about cool products, stores, Web sites, etc. (If you represent a company, see "Needs discussion,"below.)
    
  • Posting info about relevant upcoming exhibitions, conferences, workshops, etc.
    
  • Bringing relevant product info or samples to Meetups, informing people about their availability without pushing them.
  
  
  Needs discussion first:
  
  
  
  • Posting messages promoting your company. As long as they're releveant and you're up front about your role, it's probably OK--but if you're not sure, ask first.
    
  • Making sales presentations or selling stuff at Meetups. Ask first.
    
  
  Over the line (violators may be removed from membership):
  
  
  
  • Joining the group solely to sell stuff. Recently, someone joined and--without introduction, without asking--posted ads for products and artwork. I deleted these sales pitches. This is a creative community, not eBay. Ask first.
    
  • Promoting irrelevant products (sports trading cards, artist model services).
    
  • Trying to contact ATC+ members individually to sell them products or services.
    
  
  That's it for now! Thanks for your cooperation.
  
  May 2008