The YMCA of Central New York is pleased to announce a new virtual program: Virtual Member Meetups. These meetups are regular, online social gatherings. They are facilitated by YMCA staff who share common interests with our members.
Meetup groups include: Parents, Y Seniors, College Connection, LGBTQ+, Military/Veteran, Creativity, Welcoming Committee, Interests (February topic: Cooking), and Book Club: Y Readers. Groups meet weekly, biweekly, or monthly. They are free and open to all active members.
Please see below for more information on each of these virtual meetup groups. We look forward to spending shared time with you soon—all from the comfort and safety of home (or wherever we happen to be).
All Virtual Member Meetups are conducted via Zoom on our Virtual Y website. Once logged in with your Daxko member username and password, please select the meeting you would like to join under “Virtual Classes.” The Zoom meeting will start once the host begins the meeting. No additional registration necessary. The password for all of our Zoom meetings is ymca.
Please contact virtual@ymcacny.org for more information.
All times listed are Eastern Time.
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February 2021 Member Meetups: Descriptions
Parent Member Meetup: Monthly, Last Sundays @ 11am-12pm ET
Please join us for monthly group discussions around parenting and family. We will connect with one another and discuss our thoughts, ideas and opportunities that we share as parents. Topics will change monthly and based on participant feedback. Facilitated by Janelle Balstra and James Burgess.
Upcoming Meetings: 11am-12pm ET on Sunday, January 31 and February 28
Y Senior Virtual Group: Biweekly, Every Other Monday @ 12-1pm ET
Y Seniors is a new opportunity for our senior members to connect and engage with one another virtually to strengthen community, deepen friendship and combat isolation. We at the YMCA know that all of our social lives have been heavily impacted by COVID and we are looking for a way to help our members stay engaged and connected to foster a healthy mental well-being. We look forward to seeing you all on the Y Seniors Meet-up and being able to re-engage with you all. Our first meet up will be held on Monday, February 1st at 12:00 pm. Come find out more about this awesome group. Facilitated by Mary Beth Anderson.
Upcoming meetings: 12-1pm ET on Monday, February 1 and February 15
College Connection: Weekly, Every Tuesday @ 6:30-7:30pm ET
The YMCA College Connection is a virtual platform for College Students to connect with each other and share their current college experiences. With schools operating the way they are, our goal is to help students connect with each other to keep from feeling alone in these challenging times. The YMCA College Connection will take place every Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:30pm ET and will be open to any topics our student members would like to talk about based on what is going on in their college lives. We look forward to having you join this new and exciting opportunity and help you grow and connect with other students all around the country. Facilitated by Erin Grayson.
Upcoming Meetings: 6:30-7:30pm ET on Tuesday, February 2, February 9, February 16, and Feb 23
LGBTQ+ Meetup: Weekly, Every Wednesday @ 4-5pm ET
This is an affinity group for individuals who have understanding, experience, or an interest in learning more, and we will discuss and share about being part of the LGBTQ Community. We will create and hold a safe space for respectful discussion, sharing, and learning; and hope to adapt our time to the needs of the participants. Facilitated by Josh Schupack, Megan Davis, and Tim Grayson.
Upcoming Meetings: 4-5pm ET on Wednesday, February 3, February 10, February 17, and Feb 24
Military/Veteran Meetup: Monthly, First Wednesdays @ 6-7pm ET
Are you a current or former member of the armed services? Join us online to meet and connect with other members that share that same background. The YMCA Military/Veteran Meetup is a monthly virtual meeting that allows all of our members of the armed services to connect and talk to each other about any issues or topics you like or simply connect with each other. Our meeting is on the first Wednesday of every month at 6pm ET, beginning on Wednesday, February 3.
We look forward to seeing you and connecting with you all. Facilitated by Jenelle Balstra.
Upcoming meetings: 6-7pm ET on Wednesday, February 3
Creativity Meetup: Biweekly, Every Other Thursday @ 4-5pm ET
Creativity exists in everyone, but rarely in the same form twice. Whether it is physical making, music, ways we think, writing, or our unique perspective on problem solving, we all have the ability to influence in some way. We want to facilitate structured discussion and innovation, for as Einstein says, "Creativity is intelligence having fun". Facilitated by Megan Davis and Tim Grayson.
Upcoming meetings: 4-5pm ET on Thursday, February 4 and February 18
Welcoming Committee: Biweekly, Alternating Mondays @ 1-2pm or 8-9pm ET
New to the area and looking to see what the Y and the Central New York region has to offer? This is the group for you! Get an opportunity to meet and socialize with other individuals and families that are looking to get the most out of their experience in Central New York. YMCA Staff will facilitate conversation to connect people and provide information about what is going on in the community. Participation is free! Join us to make friends and create new memories in the region you call home! Facilitated by Josh Schupack and Mary Beth Anderson.
Upcoming meetings: 1pm ET on Monday, February 8; 8pm ET on Monday February 22
Monthly Interests (February Interest: Cooking): Biweekly, Every Other Thursday @6-7pm ET
What better way to share interests than to chat & connect! Join Meg and James every other Thursday at 6pm to connect about our interest of the month. Our first interest will be Cooking! Share recipes, your love of food, and make friends! We will meet two times per month (every other week) on Thursdays from 6pm-7pm. We will focus on one interest per month- We will meet twice on the same topic. Facilitated by Megan Davis and James Burgess.
Upcoming Meetings: 6-7pm ET on Thursday, February 11 and February 25
Book Club: Y Readers: Monthly, Third Thursdays @ 6-7pm ET
Y Readers. Do you enjoy reading books, connecting with others, and intelligent conversation with other Y members? Y Readers is a virtual platform for members to connect with one another and share thoughts and opinions about the current book selection. Members will also have optional opportunities to connect throughout the month to discuss and share other book titles and interests, related articles, characters, set up optional read along. Join us on the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm. Our initial informational meeting will be held on February 18, 2021. Hope to see you there. Facilitated by Jenelle Balstra and Mary Beth Anderson.
Upcoming meetings: 6-7pm ET on February 18, 2021
February 2021 Member Meetups: List Schedule
All links to virtual meetups are live on the Virtual Y Website. Password to all meetings: ymca
All times listed are Eastern Time.
Sun, Jan 31
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Parent Member Meetup.
Mon, Feb 1
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM, Y Senior Virtual Group.
Tue, Feb 2
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM, College Connection.
Wed, Feb 3
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM, LGBTQ+ Meetup.
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Military/Veteran Meetup.
Thu, Feb 4
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM, Creativity Meetup.
Mon, Feb 8
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM, Welcoming Committee (Afternoon).
Tue, Feb 9
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM, College Connection.
Wed, Feb 10
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM, LGBTQ+ Meetup.
Thu, Feb 11
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Member Meetup Interests Group.
Mon, Feb 15
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM, Y Senior Virtual Group.
Tue, Feb 16
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM, College Connection.
Wed, Feb 17
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM, LGBTQ+ Meetup.
Thu, Feb 18
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM, Creativity Meetup.
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM, "Y Readers" Book Club.
Mon, Feb 22
08:00 PM - 09:00 PM, Welcoming Committee (Evening).
Tue, Feb 23
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM, College Connection.
Wed, Feb 24
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM, LGBTQ+ Meetup.
Thu, Feb 25
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Member Meetup Interests Group.
Sun, Feb 28
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Parent Member Meetup.