I feel like I should point out that last year was not the first East Coast Rationalist Megameetup in NYC; that was in 2014. Last year may however be the first one that gets repeated...
The earliest contender for "East Coast Megameetup" was the 2012 Solstice, although it was not billed as such. (There was a non-Solstice Megameetup billed as such a few months later in 2013, followed by the first actual Solstice Megameetup in 2013)
:P
The location will be update as the event gets closer. The house size will be dependent on the number of people attending, and we haven't nailed down a location for Secular Solstice (we're hoping to make the Megameetup-Solstice transportation a little easier this year, if possible). Last year the house was in Queens, currently either that same house, or some options in Brooklyn or Jersey City (only considering locations very accessible to Manhattan, i.e. around Grove St) look particularly attractive.
Hmm… the location would have a major effect on how likely I am to attend. (The difference between “Brooklyn” and “Jersey City” is pretty extreme, in that regard…)
Is there a way to be notified when you determine for sure where the meetup will be?
I'll try to update the info in all the relevant places as the information comes in, including in comments here -- the Facebook event should also provide a notification when it's updated, I think. The location finalization might happen near the same time that the sleepover registration closes, though. If you'd like to register conditional on neighborhood selection, if you make that note in the comments section then I'll consider you in or out based on how the location search goes.
The location has been booked and confirmed, we'll be in Queens by the 36 Ave N/W stop! Now that we have more signups and that the Solstice location has been booked (Solstice facebook event, eventbrite), it seemed like we would in fact have enough people to justify the same location as last year. (Alternate locations in the running had restrictions against events or were locationally inconvenient...there aren't a ton of large houses available for rent.) I've updated the city on this event page, the full address is on the Facebook event page, and I'll be sending out an email to everyone who registered with more details. The Solstice location is also off the W line (at 28th St) so that should be an easy trip.
Ah, sorry, to clarify, I would not be registering for the sleepover part—I’m interested in just the afterparty/meetup and maybe one one of the meals.
If you update the info in the post/comments here, that will be fine, thanks.
NYC Secular Solstice this year will be on December 15. That weekend, from December 14 to 17, we'll be hosting a rationalist community gathering with accommodations for out-of-towners in the NYC area. If you'd like to join us, please register at rationalistmegameetup.com!
The stars are aligning for the solstice season to be soon upon us! The eighth annual Secular Solstice in NYC will be held on December 15. Every year, rationalist sojourners travel to New York to gather together and experience the darkest time of the year in the light of our community. Last year, Taymon organized the first East Coast Rationalist Megameetup here in NYC, and it was a great success. This year we are again organizing a gathering place that weekend for solstice sojourners and New Yorkers alike, to solidify that tradition into our second annual East Coast Rationalist Megameetup.
For those traveling from out of town, we're renting a big house together! Like last year, we're pricing the sleeping arrangements at $100 per person, and the other costs (for the activities listed below) at $25 per person, for a total cost of $125.
For New Yorkers or those who already have accommodations, who would like to join in the events and festivities but not sleep over, please register as well! Again, the megameetup-only cost is $25 per person.
The exact schedule for the weekend is up in the air, but we're planning on hosting:
Depending on the attendees and interest, we're hoping to also plan some other activities to further the megameetup tradition.
If you'd like to attend, please register as soon as possible so we can get an accurate headcount and book an ideal space for the event. For reference, last year we rented a 9 bedroom house which we stretched (with air mattresses and creativity) to sleep around 36 at peak occupancy (Saturday night). This year we're shooting for two to a bed and one per air mattress at peak occupancy -- non-peak occupancy is expected to be significantly less crowded. Solstice tickets are not included in either of these registrations, so please make sure to register for Solstice separately.
Anyone who would like to attend but cannot afford $125 should contact me directly for arrangements.