Frequently Asked Questions from New Members

What is No Kidding!?

No Kidding! is a social group for people who do not and never have had children. Members are couples, singles, and even divorced men and women, ranging in age from their 20's to 60's. The majority of members are couples in their 30's and 40's in live in or near Chester County, PA. The club is non-profit, and all events are pay-as-you go. There are no dues, manditory meetings, or complex rules.

Why on earth would there be a social club for people without children?

Well, people raising children often have their social lives driven by birthday parties, sports activities, school functions, etc. This group provides similar opportunities to socialize amoung those in a similar situation. Many of the members are proud aunts and uncles and also active members of their familes and communities.

Why don't members have children?

I don't know. We don't talk about it. We do, however, talk about a wide range of interesting topics at our dinners and social events. And since we don't have babysitters on-the-clock, our conversations can be long and our events can run late.

Who can be a No Kidding member?

Membership in No Kidding is open to any adult who has never parented, regardless of gender, orientation, age, color, race, marital status, ethnicity, or political affiliation.

Is there a membership fee to join No Kidding?

No. There is no fee to join or maintain your membership. All events are pay-as-you-go.

My spouse has a child from a previous marriage. Can she/he still attend No Kidding events with me?

Yes. If someone who has never had children has a partner who has children, the non-parent can join No Kidding while their partner (the one with kids) can come as their guest.

Can I join if my kids are grown and out of the house? Can I join if I’m divorced and my ex-husband/wife has custody?

Unfortunately, no. Membership requires that you are not, and have never been, the parent of a child. This is one rule that we strictly enforce.

What type of events does No Kidding offer?

No Kidding sponsors a wide variety of events. Past events have included wine tasting, dinners, garden tours, bike rides, picnics, potluck cocktail parties, whale watches, museum tours, and many more. Take a look at our past events list for more details. We welcome new ideas and are open to almost anything except an afternoon at Chuckie Cheese!

How can I sign up to get announcements about upcoming events?

We would love to add you to our event announcement list. Send us an email and let us know you want to be part of the group. All we need is your first and last names and email address. There is no membership fee. No Kidding Chester County Chapter respects the privacy of members as well as visitors to the website. No Kidding makes every effort to protect and use information responsibly and appropriately. Information about members is collected solely for the purpose of providing those interested with information about events and activities sponsored by the chapter. The information is only made available on an as-needed basis to those actively involved in the planning process. The information is not shared with any other organization or person for any other person.

Frequently Asked Questions from Existing Members

You have a No Kidding event scheduled along with a lunch or dinner. What if I only want to go to the event or the meal? Can I do that?

Yes, we would love to have you join us at any time. Be certain that the event coordinator knows what you are planning to do so the coordinator can make the appropriate arrangements. There may be a rare occasion when this is not possible and the event coordinator will let you know.

If I have RSVP'd to a No Kidding event and my plans change so that I can no longer attend, do I need to tell anyone?

If you have RSVP-ed that you are attending an event and your plans change, it is very important that you let the event coordinator know before the event (by e-mail or telephone) that you are unable to attend. Emergencies may prevent you from doing this on a rare occasion, but please try to make an effort out of courtesy to other members of the group and the facilities who host our events. Knowing whether to expect you affects other members of the group because in many instances we will wait for you to arrive before starting our activity. In other cases, your presence may affect the cost of the event because we sometimes get discounted rates for a certain size group. It is important that we provide accurate information to the facilities that host us so we do not take up space we will not use and reduce their revenue. Our relationship with facilities is important for future activities and the reputation of our organization.

How can I get directions to a No Kidding event or find out about possible carpooling?

Most of the events on our website include links to a facility website that offers directions and other information. More detailed information is sent to those on our member lists using “evites”. If an event is held at a private home, the event organizer will e-mail all those who RSVP their evite with directions prior to the event. Carpooling can be arranged through the evite process.

Why isn’t the full address for each even listed on the website?

When events are held at private homes, the event organizer will e-mail all those who have RSVP'd for the event the full address of the home and the directions to the event. The full address for the event is not posted on the website to protect the privacy and security of those who are kind enough to host events at their homes.

How do I find the No Kidding group when I arrive at the event?

The best way to identify us when you arrive at the event will depend on where the event is held. The event coordinator will send you details about the event for which you have signed up. Often we are the only group at the facility so you just need to mention to the person at the entrance that you are meeting a large group of people. Reservations are generally held under the event coordinator’s nametags, which is another way to find us. We usually wear nametags with our logo on them, so you may spot us that way. If you see a group of people having fun and there are no screaming children nearby, that probably is us!

How do you handle paying for meals when eating at a restaurant during a No Kidding event?

We ask each person to pay for what they ordered (food and drink) and add 25% to the total to cover tax and tip. That way everyone pays for what he or she has enjoyed and no one is unfairly burdened. It is simple and seems to work well for us. Please plan on bringing cash to cover your charges.

I have an idea for an event. How can I get No Kidding to sponsor my event?

We are open to almost all event ideas. As an all-volunteer organization, the best way to ensure than at event happens is to offer to be the event coordinator.

Why don’t you plan more No Kidding events near me?

We make an effort to offer programs throughout the region to encourage wide participation. The best way to be sure there are events near you is to offer to coordinate an event at a location near you.

How do I get a list of members’ email addresses and phone numbers?

We are unable to provide personal information such as email addresses and phone numbers about our members. As stated in our privacy policy, we are committed to the protection of the privacy of our members. Information about members is collected solely for the purpose of providing those interested with information about events and activities sponsored by the chapter. The information is only made available on an as-needed basis to those actively involved in the planning process for events. The information is not shared with any other organization o person for any other purpose. If you meet someone at an event with whom you would like to stay in touch, please ask that person how to best reach them.

Frequently Asked Questions from Event Planners

How do you decide what events No Kidding will offer and when?

Periodically, we invite No Kidding members to join us for a meeting of the Event Planning Committee. We usually meet for brunch and toss out ideas of what we enjoy doing, then try to organize them into a schedule that is diverse in terms of time of day (day and evening events) and location among other things.

Can I plan an event to sell merchandise (jewelry, plastic containers, beads, etc.) or services (financial planning, estate planning, accounting, etc.) to No Kidding members?

While we appreciate your interest in reaching our members, we do not allow any event which would result in the sale of merchandise or services to our members. Our group is devoted solely to providing a social forum for the child-free.

How do I sign up for the No Kidding Event Planning Committee? When is the next meeting?

The next Event Planning Committee meeting will be announced by e-mail and is also included in the list of events. Please check there for our upcoming meeting. Let the meeting coordinator know you are interested in participating in the meeting. If you are unable to attend a meeting but have some ideas or suggestions to share, please contact the meeting coordinator prior to the meeting. The meeting coordinator will share your comments with the committee at the meeting.

How do I plan an event? What does it mean to be a No Kidding event coordinator?

The event coordinator takes complete responsibility for the planning and implementation of an event. It is a big job but others will help and the group can only be successful with the support and commitment of No Kidding members.

What are the first steps in planning an event for No Kidding?

The best place to start is by attending an Event Planning Committee meeting or by contacting Kathy Henderson. It is helpful if you do some preliminary research before the planning meeting. Listed below are the kinds of things you will want to consider in planning an event for No Kidding members.

When would it be best to offer the event you have in mind?

Some events are weather dependent and others are only offered at a certain time of year. This information helps fit your proposed event in with the others being considered.

How large a group can the facility accommodate?

We often get 15-45 people at our events and we would prefer to never have to turn people away.

Can the facility be flexible with expected attendance?

Some people wait until the last minute to sign up for an event and others will sign up and not attend.

What are the costs associated with hosting the event?

No Kidding has no membership dues so there are no funds to use for an up-front deposit. Please do NOT sign anything obligating the No Kidding group to a financial outlay.

Is there a place for attendees to gather as they arrive to fill out name badges and sign in? How will you set up the room? Will everyone be seated together?

After some initial telephone calls, it is best to visit the site, see the facility and decide how you want to set things up.

What is a typical event?

It is generally best to have an opportunity for people to interact (generally a meal) before a performance or activity. As a group of 15- 45 people, it can often take us quite a while to do almost anything. We enjoy one another's company and can get lost in conversation so a simple lunch can last a few hours. Discuss with the facility how long they recommend for group dining. Many facilities will require a limited menu for groups of our size. A limited menu is one where you pick a few items in advance rather than offer a full menu. If you are doing this, please keep in mind that a number of our members are vegetarians and plan a meal choice for them, too.

We have learned that even after you have confirmed the details it is best to reconfirm with the facility several times before the actual event. When you contact the facility, provide them with updates on expected attendance and reconfirm the schedule for the day.

If the event involves traveling between two locations, you will want to prepare and copy directions from the first location to the second location to distribute to event attendees. You may also want to include this information in the event confirmation you send prior to the program.

Once an event is scheduled and I have completed the planning process, how do I promote the event to other No Kidding members? What do I need to do to get the event listed on the No Kidding website?

Once you have the event plans sorted out, fill out the Event Planners Worksheet. This is an electronic file, provided by Kathy Henderson, which asks for the details of the event. To add the event to the No Kidding website, you will need to provide the date, time(s), location(s), facility address(es) and telephone number(s), estimated costs to participate and a website link for the facility (if available). On behalf of the event coordinators, we will send out event announcements and reminders on a monthly basis. Once the email has been sent containing your event, you will be provided with an electronic list of No Kidding members so that you can track RSVPs. In addition, as an event coordinator you will need to send an event confirmation with final details to those who signed up for the event. The event confirmation will confirm where and when to meet, expected costs and other information people who are attending will need to know. It is recommended that the confirmation email be sent five to seven days prior to your event. If you need help sending out your confirmation email, please contact us.

What are the event coordinator's responsibilities on the day of the event?

Arrive at least 30 minutes early to be sure everything is set up as you asked and to greet your first guests.

As people arrive, ask each person to review their contact information on the sign-in list and invite them to make themselves a name badge.

Welcome new members to the group and make an extra effort to include them.

Check your watch and keep the group on schedule. This can sometimes be tricky because we tend to be having so much fun, we lose track of time.

If your event includes a meal, get the check from the facility and pass it around asking everyone to cover their selections plus 25% for tax and tip. Count up the money and be sure that the bill is covered. We rarely have a problem with this but if you are short, ask everyone to contribute an extra dollar or two to make up the difference.

Thank people for coming.

I agreed to host a Women's Dinner Group evening. What does that mean?

The schedule of Women's dinners is set each year based on participant input. Once the schedule is set, volunteers are sought to host a dinner or dinners.

There are several steps to hosting a Women's Dinner. You will want to contact the restaurant as soon as possible to confirm that they can accommodate us on the evening we have designated. At that time, find out the street (including zip code) and website addresses if they are not already on the No Kidding list of upcoming events. Forward the information to us so she can update the website to include this information. You will also want to let her know the e-mail address you want posted on the website for registrations.

When you contact the restaurant you will want to reserve a private or semi-private room or area for up to 24 people. The group prefers two or three tables of 6-8 people rather than a single long table. A small table for name badges is also useful. The group arrives around 6 p.m. for drinks and mingling, and sits down to dinner at 6:45 p.m.

It is best to re-confirm the reservation about two weeks in advance and then update the restaurant on the final number of attendees expected two days before the dinner. You will find the number of attendees grows in the last week and there are usually a few last minute cancellations and additions that night which seem to balance each other off.

Try to encourage everyone to sit down for dinner at 6:45 p.m. As the dinner proceeds, you will need to address any situations of concern with the facility.

At the close of the dinner, circulate the check asking everyone to pay their total plus 25% to cover tax and tip. You will need to count the funds to ensure that the total is covered.