2022
Hi All,
The mission of the NYC Subway Maps Editing Meetup was two-fold. The first part of the mission was to add all subway entrances and make sure the locations were correct. Because NYC Transit now has free wireless, the underground panoramic views were the anchor photo on Google Maps for the main station and as such, the underground GPS/long/lat signature was in the middle of the block above ground somewhere. The second part of the mission and which is equally or maybe even more important is that we need to shine a light on subway stations/entrances that provide no accessibility for our disabled or physically challenged neighbors.
(Original Meetup link: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Let-s-Meet-Up/NYC-Subway-Maps-Editing-Meetup-on-Saturday-April... )
Here is my favorite photo of the meetup because it has all of us in it:
Firstly, I would like to thank all who attended the meetup, including, Josh Bailey (my go-to runaround guy who came up from Richmond VA), Mike Cullum (budding SEO, computer genius), Becky Curran (just an all-around great person), Jazaida Hall (who came up from Delaware for the day), Traci Cappiello (who helped keep everything moving and has a great wit), Nicholas Stebenne (who waited out in the cold for us before we finally linked up with him and who added to the camaraderie), Daniel M. Eldridge (who was our technical adviser), Corrie Davidson (who blew me away with her energy and free spirit), Sasha Blair-Goldensohn (who is the poster child for coolness), Ron Ruzal (who is local guide level 5 to the 8th power), Mel (who came down from Delaware with Jazaida and was great behind the camera) and of course the cameraman extraordinaire Shafiek (who knows his craft well and was there but not there with his camera).
The purpose of the extensive thanks yous for the participants is to show that I was engaged with all team members and where I was running around, there was something unique that stuck with me about each person. This is important in putting together a successful meetup.
1. Be sure to arrive early: It sets the tone of your commitment.
2.Make sure you have a good physical meetup jump off location. Check with management if it is a store, coffee shop/business. Make sure to add it to Google Maps.
3.Do get some snacks. Think of fruit, bottled water, brownies, mini danish, etc. This gets the sugar content in everyone and provides energy.
4.Do a pep talk before you start out and get everyone excited to be at the event and try and stay on message. Include the whole ideal of #localguides and taking photos of anything.
5.Give out name cards and have people fill out their cards and have a badge holder or something of that nature.
6.Give out a sheet of paper with some guidelines where if available there local laws and ordinances.
7.Arrange an after meetup location such as a restaurant, etc where everyone can wind down and take notes.
8.Create a photo album for everyone to upload their photos/videos and exchange social media contact information, so the meetup becomes the gift that keeps giving.
We started at 2pm and broke camp at 8pm because of all the fun everyone was having. I saw this myself. The positive energy and karma was exciting and extraordinary. The zeal and fervor of everyone involved made me very proud and I would do a meetup or event with the team that came out Saturday any time; any day.
Here is the link to the NYC Subway Maps Editing Meetup
I hope this "brief" synapse is helpful to anyone trying to set up a Google Meetup. Please note that a Google Meetup is not a meetup.com meetup.
Note: Whole Foods Union Square is on Google Maps and we thank them for letting us use their property. I have attached random photos of the meetup
Regards,
Dallas Plummer
