It’s of course hard to say much without further information, e.g. demographics, cause areas, type of events. However, I think there is a big risk of friend groups being identical to the EA local group, especially in emerging locations. This can be very alienating to new people and I think might in some cases really be net-negative because first contact with EA is super important. Some steps to prevent this:
- If your group = you and some close friends: consider not calling yourself an EA group but presenting yourself as “just some friends all interested in EA”, look for other EA-interested people you know less and start a group together with them. Be aware of founder effects. (If you start out as only computer scientists, it’s likely computer scientists will be most attracted to your group.) - Try to actively increase diversity in the group by e.g. supporting people with no friends in the group or doing outreach outside of your normal social network - If your group only consists of men: Keep in mind that it can be very difficult for women to fit into such a group. Pay attention to how much the conversation is dominated by men. - Get (anonymous) feedback from irregular attendees. Ask them if they felt welcomed and what you could improve. Ask them if they would like to run a meetup and organize it their way. - Don’t see official EA meetups as hangouts with friends. Focus on EA topics and prevent conversations about personal stuff.
It’s of course hard to say much without further information, e.g. demographics, cause areas, type of events. However, I think there is a big risk of friend groups being identical to the EA local group, especially in emerging locations. This can be very alienating to new people and I think might in some cases really be net-negative because first contact with EA is super important.
Some steps to prevent this:
- If your group = you and some close friends: consider not calling yourself an EA group but presenting yourself as “just some friends all interested in EA”, look for other EA-interested people you know less and start a group together with them. Be aware of founder effects. (If you start out as only computer scientists, it’s likely computer scientists will be most attracted to your group.)
- Try to actively increase diversity in the group by e.g. supporting people with no friends in the group or doing outreach outside of your normal social network
- If your group only consists of men: Keep in mind that it can be very difficult for women to fit into such a group. Pay attention to how much the conversation is dominated by men.
- Get (anonymous) feedback from irregular attendees. Ask them if they felt welcomed and what you could improve. Ask them if they would like to run a meetup and organize it their way.
- Don’t see official EA meetups as hangouts with friends. Focus on EA topics and prevent conversations about personal stuff.