BC creates a welcoming atmosphere for all folks who walk through our door. A greeter makes you a (really nice) name tag, and introduces you to a few guys. Because we’re not a bar, and don’t have alcoholic beverages, the atmosphere is friendlier and conducive to meeting and talking. According to past membership surveys, making new friends and having great conversations are the top two reasons why guys become a member of BC.
 
BC finds creative new ways to get men talking. There is always a game of UNO or JENGA being played (the easiest games to learn) which allow for a lot of small talk and laughter... and other interactive board games and puzzles where the players get to know each other around the table. And for those who want a work-out there’s always TWISTER!
 
BC’s emphasis is on Co-Sponsored Gatherings with other groups (so there is always fresh, new faces!); Art and Music Events; Seasonal/Theme Parties, and major Fundraisers for The Center or ourselves. Please see pictures from the majority of past events on our "Photos" page.
 
We also nosh on the food and beverages that we all bring (we have some excellent cooks among us!). If you wish, our wonderful in-house photographer, Don, will pull you aside and take your picture – perhaps with a new buddy you’ve met here. Oh, yes… some of us cruise the crowd, find date(s) and… well, you get the picture.

Yes, you will... especially if you VOLUNTEER. Really. Volunteers are in the best position to meet and chat up our members, attendees, and first-timers. Try these 'tried-and-true' lines out, the next time you volunteer for: setup ("Hey, your muscles really flex setting up that table!"), greeting ("Welcome to BC... Wow, that’s a really unique tattoo"), hospitality ("Here, let me cut you a piece, SIR. Really, it’s a pleasure to serve you"), or breakdown ("... I’d really love to hear more about your wrestling bears in the Canadian Rockies, how about going to dinner afterwards?").
 
So if you’re shy, or not, seriously, we need volunteers to make our twice-monthly events happen. We ask for ONE hour of your time every so often, jobs that allow you to socialize at the same time. "Many hands make light work," so please pitch in. To volunteer, please contact: volunteer@bearcafe.org.

That can happen on occasion and we apologize. Here are some possible reasons why:

• No one knew you. It takes motivation to go introduce yourself to a stranger; it’s hard for you, and for everyone else. It's much easier to converse with familiar faces than with unfamiliar ones.
• People were busy catching up with friends and having fun. Some of the people in the group have known each other for many years, so their familiarity might be a little intimidating for you.
• No one knew you wanted to talk to anyone or were unaware that you were too shy to say “Hello”.
• You may have appeared ‘unapproachable.’ Sometimes even a very handsome man can spend the afternoon sitting at a table by himself because others got the feeling that he wanted to be left alone, when the truth is, he was dying to talk to anyone. Remedy: don’t go sitting at a table by yourself – join 2 or 3 other people at least.
• Because Bear Café-Mates is not a dark bar with loud music, that change in environment can again be a bit intimidating (and wonderfully refreshing at the same time). If you are used to socializing with an alcoholic beverage in hand to ‘loosen you up’, being at a dry event can put you and others possibly a bit ‘on edge’ the first time you are at one of our events, or at the beginning of each event. That can sometimes make our body language or facial expressions to others say things we don’t really feel.
• Our small group of Boardmembers and Deputy Directors were busy running the event, and our Volunteers were otherwise engaged in making the event happen, so we didn’t get to talk to you (that time, at least).

• Contact a Boardmember before coming to Bear Café-Mates and let us know you are coming for the first (or second) time, and then we’ll be able to introduce you to others. Call our toll-free number 866.749.8180 or contact president@bearcafe.org
• Be prepared for a social situation. In other words, conversation is a two way street. If you don't have anything to say, chances are people will walk away from you after a minute or so.
• All Bear Café-Mates attendees (members and guests) wear name tags. New folks get a special name tag with a ‘bear paw print’ on it… and like you, will be very interested in getting to know other new guys!
• Remember that others have the same difficulty getting to know folks, and the more familiar your face is at our events, the easier it gets.
• Remember, volunteer for us that day and you will assuredly get to know and talk to many other folks! volunteer@bearcafe.org

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