WHO CAN JOIN THE GROUP?
Seems the only sensible answer to this is anyone from anywhere in the world. There is no good reason why geography or age should be a limiting factor in these groups. I am sure we all know that lots of our friends on the 50+ Chat Line are under the age of 50. That really shouldn't be important to us. They are our friends, regardless of their age. All of our friends have "handles" that are familiar to us and eventually we hope that most of them will become familiar "faces" to us.

WHERE WILL MEMBERS COME FROM?
In the short period of time that I have been on the 50+ Chat Line (since 11/15/95) I have "chatted" with approximately 300 individuals (this does not include the occasional "misfits" who creep into the room from time to time and then creep out again).
The following is from info which others on the Chat Line have given about their locations. It gives the general locations of some of our friends.

Please keep in mind that this list is only those locations I have been able to gather and I have only been on 50+ Chat Line for a fairly short period of time. This list will continue to grow based on new friends coming on line and also with the addition of other old friends who each of you have chatted with from time to time and who are not included on my list.
Probably all of those on 50+ Chat Line will not care to participate in this group and that is understandable. And just as surely they will remain our friends on the 50+ Chat Line.

HOW DO WE MAKE IT HAPPEN?
If ever there was one this will be a "grass roots" movement in the truest sense. Depending on your individual location, there could be enough chat friends in your town for its own group. For others it might be two or three towns combined, or different towns in a county. For instance, where I am located in Oregon it seems that one or two groups would consist of those of us from the coast over to Intestate Highway 5 (I-5). Probably those east of I-5 would be broken down into several groups since it covers such a large area. Again, this is all just in the planning stages now and open to any and all reasonable suggestions.

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE GROUP(S)?
The opportunity to have "face-to-face" social meetings once or twice a year, depending on the feelings of the individual groups. My suggestion for the setting for these gatherings would be a "no host" lunch or dinner at a location which was mutually agreeable to members of a group. As mentioned before, we are always open to your thoughts and ideas on this or other items.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER PURPOSES OF THE GROUP(S)?
Funny I should ask. Seems only logical that there would be. A couple which spring to my mind are:
Friendship Group Email Cookbook: This would consist of recipes contributed by members of the various groups which would be made available to all members by Email. Seems appropriate that the name of each dish would contain the "handle" of the member who contributed the recipe. For instance, "Bucks Possum Pot Pie" (*GRIN* - just kidding folks). Does that seem fair to everyone? This could also be used to ask others in the group for a particular recipe which might not yet be in our Email Cookbook. A current index of recipes available would be at members beck and call via Email.
Friendship Groups Travel Hints and Recommendations: My best guess it that a lot of us travel from time to time, whether it be by donkey, horse, car, bus, train, plane or whatever. And quite often we are visiting parts of the world which we have never visited before. Who better to ask for handy travel hints on these destinations that our friends in the group ho may live there or have visited there before. Information like the best time of the year to visit, the best places to stay, the best restaurants, scenic locations and tourist attractions which should be included in your visit, places to avoid and (last but not least) the best places to shop for bargains (some of which might be peculiar to that location). The list could go on and on. For instance, if you were traveling to this part of the Oregon Coast, I would be happy to meet with you and show you the sights and sounds of this part of Oregon in addition to suggesting possible travel routes which would expose you to some spectacular scenery.
I'm sure the rest of you have other thoughts on other kind of items which could be added besides cookbook and travel. Don't be bashful. Get them in please.

WHAT'S THE CATCH?
So right now you have to be saying to yourself, "self, what's the catch?". Simple answer to an appropriate question, there is no catch. Just friendship groups brought together for the reasons given. Nobody is trying to sell anything except friendship.

WHO'S GOING TO KEEP WHATEVER RECORDS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED?
I have volunteered to keep records necessary to form and keep the groups working. This would include the groups Email Cookbook and my serving as a focal point between individual members who may desire travel information about a destination and those members who could provide that information.

SECURITY OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION (Email address, etc):
Your individual information would not be given to any other member or non-member unless you specifically authorized (by Email) it to be released. Of course if your Email address is included in your handle (mine is) on the chat line then it would be available to whoever may want to copy it down.

SO WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST?
Aside from the time it takes you to send and receive Email, the only cost involved would be if you were to attend a "no-host" lunch or dinner. The location for these get-togethers would be decided by individual groups. You would have to pay for your own meal and beverages (and those of your "significant other" who would always be welcome and encouraged to attend). Don't see how it could be more reasonable or just to all concerned.

TIME TO CLOSE OUR FOR NOW!
I do have a tendency to go on and on but did want to put as much info out to each of you who have expressed an interest in this group.
Please do give my your input on any or all suggestions given. How each of you feels abut this is what will make the group go. Also, when you are on the 50+ Chat Line or sending Email to any of your friends, please take the time to see if they are interested in this group. The more the merrier (heard that somewhere before).

Regards to all,