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Shipmates Singles endeavors to serve the social and intellectual needs of single adults throughout the Bay Area. Shipmates Singles offer a safe and accepting environment where singleness is valued and friendships are encouraged. Shipmates Singles organize indoor and outdoor activities where Single Adults can meet for companionship, pleasure, and social support within the singles community.
All activities are planned and hosted by members of Shipmates Singles throughout the year. The activities include: Sunday Night Program, Card Party Nights, Leisure Walks, Friday Evening Socials, Movie and Dinner, Book Discussion Group, Current Events Discussion Group, Potluck and Discussion events, House Parties, Theater Performances, Sunday Brunches, Morning Coffee and Discussion, Adult Education Classes, and other activities as developed by the membership.
| Organization History: The predecessor organization (Shipmates) was sponsored by the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church for about 30 years. The Church found that their insurance policy could no longer cover the social activities that were held off the church site. Therefore, in May 2007, we decided to form a new organization called “Shipmates Singles”. In April 2007 we formed a working group and a Committee-of-the-Whole to write and approve Articles of Association (dated 26 April 2007). On 27 April we received our Employer Identification Number from the IRS. On 5 June 2007 our request for "Not-For-Profit" status with the IRS was approved. Our Master By-Laws were prepared and then approved by the Committee-of-the-Whole on 22 May 2007. Board members were then nominated for the various positions and selected by the vote of The Committee-Of-The-Whole. | Continuing activities include:
Soup & Salad Event is held twice a year and is planned by volunteer members who prepare all the food. About 85 people attend each time. A set fee is charged to cover the reimbursable costs to the volunteer cooks. Other volunteers decorate tables, make the name tags & handle the money. Sometime an addition $5.00 is added and this event becomes a Fund Raiser.
International Dinner & Silent Auction: Members donate items or solicit items from local businesses to be in the silent auction. Volunteers prepare all the food and are reimbursed for the cost of ingredients. A profit is gained from the silent auction and the entrance fee.
Current Events is held every Thursday evening. Two members facilitate the group ensuring that every one has a chance to participate and that basic rules of discussion are followed. Each evening those who are present choose which topics which are to be discussed. A minimal fee is charged to cover cost of snacks; the extra money is sent to the treasury to be used for administration or for Service Projects.
Walk at the Reservoir is scheduled every Wednesday afternoon. Two members make sure the write-ups appear in the Newsletter, welcome the participants at the start of the Walk and coordinate an optional snack or dinner following the Walk. There is no charge.
Iron Horse Trail Walk happens once a month and follows the same procedure as the Reservoir Walk, but takes place along the bike trail. It is followed by an optional no-host brunch.
Pinochle Nights are scheduled two Mondays each month. A volunteer coordinator welcomes the participants, manages the seating so everyone is included in the games, makes sure the supplies are available and cleans up the room afterwards.
TGIFs are usually held at a restaurant where members gather for fun and possibly stay for dinner. A volunteer chooses the location, checks with the management, provides name tags and possibly some ice-breaker games. The volunteer helps everyone to be included. TGIFs occur once or twice a month. Sometimes a TGIF will be a picnic with kite flying or a picnic with bocce ball. A small fee is charged to cover cost.
Movie, then Discussion over Dinner meets one Saturday each month. A volunteer member chooses the movie, alerts people to the location, welcomes participants and facilitates the discussion at a restaurant following the movie. Book Discussion Group meets once a month. A core group of regular participants take turns choosing the book ahead of time, getting the write-up into the newsletter, welcoming the participants and facilitating the discussion, making sure each person has a chance to give their insight without interruption.
Potluck and Discussion events meet at a host member's house once or twice a month. The host provides drinks; the participants bring food to share. Another member volunteers to facilitate the discussion.
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