This is a special post for quick takes by Willa. Only they can create top-level comments. Comments here also appear on the Quick Takes page and All Posts page.
We had nine attendees (including myself) at our [Virginia Rationalists: Norfolk] social tonight! It was great, I had a most excellent time, and everyone else said they enjoyed it too.
Only four out of nine attendees (including myself) were familiar with LW/ACX/EA, and when you don't have a group where most of the people are "in-group" so to say (i.e. familiar with things inside our walled gardens), that changes the dynamics of the experience quite a bit.
I may have to vary between open and closed socials in addition to adding some more workshop or discussion meetups. That strategy has worked well for most other organizers, time to copy (also ask for help a bit), tweak, and implement!