Hosting a new Group Party

If you want to host an event, here’s how it works (also see the Host FAQ for more details):

  1. Submit the below form with the time, date, and details so it can be announced to the group list.
  2. We’ll contact you about when to send the announcement. We find that it’s best to announce at least 36 hours before the event.
  3. We’ll create an RSVP form and send out the announcement. You will receive the RSVP forms.
  4. When you decide to close RSVPs, if time permits, we’ll send along a spreadsheet of RSVPs for you to use as a check-in sheet. (You could do the work to assemble a checklist from the RSVP forms, but we can just export the responses as a spreadsheet with a single click.)
  5. You send a logistics email that we forward to attendees, giving details for people who RSVP’d.
  6. You hold the event!

Do you want vetted attendees only?

Some hosts want only prior attendees or people we’ve had a live chat with (in-person or video) to attend. The “vetting” generally just consists of reviewing the ground rules and watching for any pushback (“I don’t have to ask for consent. I know what someone wants.”) This is to provide a level of comfort that the person is reasonable.

In practice, given the guys who have been showing up, we’ve been attracting a pretty good group. I don’t believe vetting is necessary, but if you’d be more comfortable, we’ll do it.

Communicating with Attendees

No matter how wonderful, amazing, and well-intentioned our attendees are, last minute problems arise, people get lost, they run late, etc. Also, sometimes issues may arise on the part of the host (“abort mission! Parents just arrived for a surprise visit!”).

I recommend getting a free, throwaway text message app (e.g. Textfree Ultra) and email address (e.g. Gmail) to use for communicating with attendees.

Hints for Hosts

A few things that seem to be trends:

  • Generally 36 hours advance notice is a minimum to get a reasonable-size crowd. Most guys only check their CJacks inbox every couple of days.
  • From our very small sample size so far, late afternoon and early evening seems to work best. Don’t know for sure.
  • Plan for about 20% of the “confirmed YES” guys to drop out. So if you want a group of 10, invite 13.
  • A cramped room works better than having a lot of space; people get friendlier faster.
  • Porn or no-porn seems to be a toss-up. No porn gets people interacting with each other. At some gatherings, porn has drawn all attention, but at others, it’s been an addition to the vibe.

Host Responsibilities

Host responsibilities are few, but they’re important:

  • Treat everyone with courtesy in arranging the event.
  • Make everyone feel welcome, whether or not you’re attracted to them.
  • Remind attendees of ground rules: confidentiality, explicit consent, no street clothes.
  • Make sure everyone is keeping to the JO-only guideline.

Submit Your Event Announcement

Host an Event

Please give details about the event so it's super-easy to send out the announcement.

10
Add about 20% to your capacity to get a good number to invite. If your room holds 10 people, invite 12 or 13. 20% dropout is typical, and we've seen 30% dropout. Guys stand up and get close to each other, so a small living room can accommodate 8-10 attendees surprisingly easily. A larger living room could accommodate more.
It's better to be a bit cramped than have too much space and feel sparse.
e.g. Central Square Cambridge, Back Bay, Brookline, etc.
e.g. Red line, #87 bus, street parking
How do you want this session described in the announcement? Please include neighborhood, T-accessibility, etc. For example, "This event will be held in a private residence, a short walk from the Park Street T-stop."
Please provide the hotel name or street address that can be found in a Maps application. This is for people who attend. We give it to them after they are already in the area right before we start.