Q-MoB Queer Men's Speed Networking @ Wander Berkshire (Pittsfield, MA)

EASY WAY TO SHARE YOUR WORK VISION (ELEVATOR SPEECH) & FIND NEW NETWORKING ALLIES, MENTORS/MENTEES, OR FRIENDS WHO WANT TO HELP: Join queer men (18 & up) from all over the region in this intergenerational speed networking event where you will spend five minutes each sharing your work vision (elevator speech) and getting to know a man, and then decide whether you want to let him know at the end of the event via a speed networking app that you want to get to know him for: 1) networking, 2) mentoring team mate, 3) friendship, or 4) no connection. You'll repeat this process in 6 minute conversations with as many of the men present as possible. After each conversation, you'll mark your preferences on the app, and you'll learn all your mutual matches by the end of the event & be able to email them or chat to schedule a followup meeting (if you want), and you can hang out after the event to continue any intersting conversations.

BETTER WAY TO MAKE EASY, REAL CONNECTIONS: The beauty of this process is you can learn about a lot of men's work visions quickly and then connect with them in ways you both are interested in but without the awkwardness of having to pretend you are interested, reject someone, or have no idea whether they are interested in your work vision. Lots of introverts and kewl people think speed networking is lame or really awkward, but lots of your local queer neighbors have found it to be surprisingly easy, fun, and fostering of genuine networking connections with your queer neighbors. With a little practice most people find it much more fun and comfortable than going to a bar with a bunch of strangers or trying to network on hookup apps.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Queer male friends 18 & up interested in networking & speed dating, BUT THEY MUST REGISTEER IN ADVANCE & SET UP THEIR PROFILE BEFORE THE EVENT.
• $15-$25 Tax Deductible Donation payable online or in cash or check made out to "Q-MoB Inc" to pay for the use of the speedmatchapp, the space, and to support Q-MoB's more than 25 social, recreation/wellness, & arts/culture activities every month and resources and services for rural queer men in the parts of 8 counties in 4 states that make up the Greater Berkshire Region. IMPORTANT: If you don't want to donate for every Q-MoB event you attend, you can instead become a monthly donor member for $25, $50, $75, $100 or more tax-deductible MONTHLY donation, and then you don't have to donate at every Q-MoB event you attend.

TIPS to Make Networking both Fun & Effective

• Tips for Getting More Out of a Networking Event (even if you're an introvert)
• Tips for Networking Events
• Tips for your 1st Networking Event

THANK YOUS: Q-MoB is deeply grateful to our Speed Dating/Networking volunteers, Tom Truss, Andy Farnham, Neil Walsh, Bart Church, & Dmitry, both Wander Berkshire and Shire Brewing for providing us free space & their incredible hospitality, and to the following foundations who have given us some of the start-up funding we needed to launch innovative activities like Speed Dating/Networking and Speed Networking in Central Berkshires, the Hill Towns, and South Berkshires:

• Berkshire United Way Venture Fund
• Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Central Berkshire Fund

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation South Berkshire Fund

WHO THIS EVENT IS FOR: this event is for queer men, which can include gay, bisexual, pansexual, demisexual, asexual men, & transmen who are attracted to people on the male end of the gender spectrum, and non-binary individuals who sometimes present on the male end of the spectrum and who are attracted at least in part to people on the male end of the spectrum. We will not exclude anyone because of how they present their gender or sexual orientation, and this is an event for people who identify as queer men. Berkshire Pride hosts Speed Dating Events for the entire LGBTQ+ community, & we encourage you to support their events if you are looking for Speed Dating for the whole LGBTQ+ community.

CARPOOLING/RIDE-SHARE: Carpooling is a great way to get to know other men, save money on gas, and help to reduce your carbon footprint and save the planet. If you need a ride or are open to carpooling with men who live near you, please indicate that when you are registering, & our ride coordinator will try to match you with people nearby who are interested in carpooling or offering rides.

REACHING US DAY OF EVENT: If on the day of the event you have trouble finding us, will be a little late, or can't make it, please call/text Bart at 503-734-6508 or Andy at 339-221-3051