What we’re about
Northwest suburbs, Chicago area. Intended to be a local private social group. Progressive/liberal.
Update November 2024:
We are not going to let this country devolve. We will seek ways to help each and other people who will need us. We will act as the experienced elders we are. We will meet to support, plan, act, create, and empathize. If this is not a journey you are on, please do not apply for membership.
Note about new Meetup membership policies of late 2024:
You do not need to pay Meetup to join us. We will not honor premium skip-the-line waitlist promotion, we go by date of request.
Traditional description of our group:
We are liberal and progressive women age 55 and older. We meet to expand our horizons, open our minds, and make friends with women who share our values and life experiences. We meet regularly on weekday evenings, and occasionally on weekends and daytime. We welcome all liberal/progressive women who live within thirty minutes of our central location. (Please know that we welcome trans women.) We talk, relax, explore, laugh, eat, and find community. We are political. We are a social group.
Would you like to connect with informed, liberal, progressive women right here in the 'burbs to have substantive discussions, to listen and learn from each other? Do you want a place where you can freely express your opinions? Do you thrive on current events and news? If so, consider joining us! Our discussions are prompted by politics, societal issues, female-centered topics, books we read that raise interesting or controversial topics, documentaries, podcasts, and the state of the world.
• Do you have liberal/progressive points of view on issues concerning women, lgbtq+, under served populations, race, politics, the environment? So do we!
• Have you read any good books lately? We read -- and discuss -- both fiction and non-fiction that relate to our experiences and passions-written almost exclusively by women.
• Do you get your news from a variety of real news sources? We read, listen, and watch a range of news entities (not right wing propaganda) in an effort to be informed and objective.
• Are you looking for just the right combination of serious and fun? You’ve found it! We like to lighten things up now and then--even serious stuff needs laughter sometimes. Ideas for social events are welcome--if accepted, you'll get to help plan them.
We love to meet outdoors while the weather allows. If COVID reemerges this winter, we will either suggest or require masking or will move to Zoom as a last resort. All members are expected to be currently vaccinated.
To apply, please answer the 4 questions posed and be sure your Meetup photo shows your face (for safety reasons). Member info is seen only by other members.
DUES/POLICIES:
Your first event is free, then voluntary dues are $20/year prorated. This amount helps to cover the annual fee of approx. $300 charged by Meetup for use of their site. Meetup doubled their fee this year. Dues are voluntary but appreciated--it costs over $300 annually to use Meetup as our organizing platform. Any funds left over will be used throughout the year to tip helpful waitstaff at our events. We do not charge for attending events we sponsor. Field trips and non-PPWOF sponsored events might require a fee.
-----FULL CURRENT VACCINATION IS REQUIRED FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE, still-----
NO SHOW POLICY:
Please understand that if you are an event no-show at in-person events twice without prior notification at least one day ahead, you will be removed from our roll. This is intended to show respect to our hosts and members. (We understand that emergencies do occur and will respect your personal situation.)
No selling or proselytizing, please.
Photo policy:
Only the organizer can post photos. If you'd like to post one, please DM the organizer to arrange.
Please do not share our photos on social media without permission of everyone in the photo/video.
Be sure your Meetup settings allow you to receive email messages from us. :)
PPWOF is a volunteer-run private social Meetup group. We are not a club, not a chartered organization, and do not raise money for ourselves.
Members are expected to act with thoughtfulness and consideration toward each other.
Our events are developed and hosted by volunteer organizers and members. Event leaders strive to create high-quality, well-planned activities that will appeal to as many of our members as possible. You are free to choose events that you like, and to forgo those that you do not. If a member is disappointed with an event or the location/parking/noise level, etc., the member should choose not to attend that event. Organizers will NOT respond to complaints following events, but will welcome suggestions for future events/locations that can better serve all members.
To be included in member-hosted events at private homes, you must have attended a previous PPWOF event.
Organizer reserves the right to terminate the membership of any individual for any reason.