The Group That Shall Not Be Named....Returns!

Hello and greetings magical friends. My name is Jonathon Rosenthal, I am the Head Organizer of the NYC Harry Potter Meetup. Along with my co-organizers we manage and operate what is the worlds largest in person Harry Potter fan organization. Based on Meetup.com we have hosted over 700 events for 17 years as of this December 21st. With over 4000 registered members, we are dedicated to providing a supportive, creative outlet for all Harry Potter fans.

 

The last year was obviously very hard for all social groups due to COVID. The Harry Potter fandom has additionally been dealing with a deep betrayal from the creator of the book series we love.

 

Despite these challenges, the HP-NYC organizers have no intention of stopping what we have been doing successfully for so long. We exist to encourage the friendships, creativity, and magic our members create. We are the home away from home for Harry Potter fans in NYC. Our members come from every background imaginable and each person adds more magic. Our organization strives to provide an outlet for the magic we all have but cannot necessarily express in the "muggle" world.

 

 

 

WHY ARE WE FUND RAISING

 

We have big plans brewing for 2022. The organizers spent the last year using the time as wisely as possible to plan and craft and research. Those plans are going to require resources and due to the lack of in person events we have been cut off from our normal revenue streams for some time.

 

HOW THIS FUNDING WILL HELP

 

Your support will:

 

• Provide funding for our standard operations, Meetup.com fees, etc.
• Give us the ability to launch special events such as parties, guest speakers and more without having to fund raise in advance.
• Allows us the flexibility to plan more events when we know we have the starting funds needed.
• Aid us in developing additional programming to present at conventions such as panels, children's literacy outreach and more.
• Help us travel to these conventions with our promotional photo booth to help keep the HP fandom thriving.

 

 

 

 

 

We have extensive plans ALREADY IN MOTION for a fantastic weekend of activities at a venue in Connecticut in 2022. Your donations will mean that we can launch the ticket sales for this event in the near future.

 

These funds will allow us to host events we've previously been able to or had difficulty doing such:

 

• Booking venues for cosplay photoshoots.
• Being able to provide a photographer for those shoots and other events.
• Make more venues for parties and other special events accessible and obtainable.

 

 

 

 

OUR PROMISE

 

We have pledged that HP-NYC will to the best of our ability, not endorse, participate or patronize official JK Rowling or Warner Brothers related Harry Potter merchandise or properties. We are up to the challenge of making sure our calendar year is filled with activities that positively reflect the diverse humanity that makes up our membership. Even if that means that we will need to create more of these ourselves. This fandom was created by the fans and we intend to continue that.

With your help we can compensate for the lack of funding this past year and start 2022 strong. And we hope to see you all soon as our first 2021 in person Meetup will take place this October!!

 

Yours in Wizarding, the HP-NYC Organizing Team;

 

Deanna Benfante

Francisco Ferrer

Ana Gondring

dyAnne Irby

Deanna Kelley

Jessica Mercado

Jonathon Rosenthal

Margaret Walchek