Working towards building a sustainable active network of Chicagoland secular organizations and to enrich the lives of freethinkers.

This group takes a lighthearted and sometimes humorous approach to offering solutions to the problems and issues women face every day...including marriage, family, divorce, dating again, aging parents, job, relationships...and all the crazy things we do to get through life.  What do you do to cope with life's little ups & downs? Do you paint...or read Tarot cards....?Can others learn from your experiences? Do you have a funny story or life experience you'd like to share, get off your chest, cry …

Freethought Families of Chicago represent a local group of parents and families in the Chicagoland area with secular worldviews, humanist mindsets, and value science-based education. Those who wish to join us can look forward to regular family-friendly (and freethought-friendly) events and meetups around the area. Freethought Families of Chicago is affiliated with and run by the Chicago Freethought Project.

“This is a group for anyone interested in drawing from a nude model. All skills levels are welcome. I started this group because I thought my studio would make a great intimate venue for enthusiasts to get together, whether you are just beginning or more experienced.

Are you interested in learning more about Islam, the Quran or Muslims?   Are you Non Muslim or Muslim and would like a deeper and more real understanding of the Quran? This meetup group was setup to discuss topics related to the Quran the Message of Islam. Everyone is welcome including those that are interested in Islam, Muslims, and other Holy Scripture such as the Old Testament and New Testament.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Other topics include:  Belief, Spirituality, W …

Abundant Life Spiritual Center is a vibrant new spiritual community. Together we are learning how to "Live Fearlessly and Love Outrageously" because life is meant to be joy-filled, free-flowing and encouraging. We named ourselves Abundant Life because we know that the Abundant Life - the full life of wholeness and authentic self-expression, purpose, creativity, joy and love - is the divine birthright of every person, and we want to support your living it. We invite you to visit us for one of our …

Today, more and more families are declaring their independence and taking personal responsibility for their family’s own safety and security during times of emergency. These events may be natural or man-made, but both important. Together, our chapters of Responsible Citizens work together forming stronger and more educated, self-reliant individuals and families. Through group activities, discussions and seminars, some of the topics we will talk about are: ☺ Food Storage ☺ Survival Packs ☺ Water …

Many by now are aware that we create our own reality. But do you really create it? If so – do you always get what you want? Is everything in your life exactly as you wanted it to be like? Where are all those Experiences you don’t want coming from? Many believe that we come to this world to learn lessons and that’s why we can’t have everything we want – good old Karma! What if that is just a belief? What if everything you think, see and believe is because you have bought yourself into belief syst …

This group is for people who like to mix philosophical discourse and drinking. If you're looking for carefully moderated debate, look elsewhere. These discussions are unstructured intellectual free-for-alls - the only two constants are booze and a keen interest in the nature of reality and human existence. We take philosophy very seriously, but we don't think taking it seriously demands that you act like an academic when discussing it. No formal training is necessary - no one will be expected to …

SMART Recovery® - Self Help for Substance Abuse & Addiction "Discover the Power of Choice!" SMART Recovery® is the leading self-empowering addiction recovery support group. Our participants learn tools for addiction recovery based on the latest scientific research and participate in a world-wide community which includes free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help groups. The SMART Recovery 4-Point Program® helps people recover from all types of addiction and addictive behaviors, including: …

We are a group of Ex-Muslims and Muslims of varying degrees of religiosity. We want to create a safe place for people to exchange thoughts and ideas that we were taught not to talk about. We want to support each other and help each other deal with family questions and formulate answers. We want to give others the ability to examine their beliefs freely with others like minded fellows. Respecting the members above everything, a single one most important thing everyone should understand that criti …

My Life has changed since I have started a daily meditation practice 14 years ago. More balance, more acceptance, deeper relaxation, just a feeling of “now I am looking in the right direction”. The new direction is that I am now taking responsibility for all of my experiences, thoughts and emotions. When something seems to go wrong, of course the first tendency still may be to blame someone or something not being the way it should be. But now with the meditation practice, the remembrance kicks i …

If you are pregnant or have a child born after Sept. 2010 and.. Are looking to make Mommy Friends!?  Then join us! CHEERS is the place "where everybody knows your name."  By hosting tons of free events, we  bring together happy, smiley moms and moms-to-be, to create our own little mom community. The key to the success of our group is that you will be given the opportunity to hang out with moms with kids the same age as your own as each of our play dates is labeled with the age group it is intend …

Hi fellow introverts. Please read guidelines below, before joining this group. (Thank you) We schedule most of our meetups in Lake County, but since we've been getting more members from all over the place, we've been scheduling more meetups in Chicago, Cook County suburbs, and a few north of the border in Wisconsin, or a bit West in McHenry County, just to give you an idea of locations. For those of us who are introverts/loners and/or "live inside" our heads, making new friends can be more of a …

We play various strategy boardgames, also called "Eurogames" or "designer games". If you aren't familiar with that terminology, you may recognize a few of the most popular titles, like Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Dominion, Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Puerto Rico, Agricola, Ra, and Race for the Galaxy. We are extremely happy to have beginners! Whether you are new to our group, or new to Euro games (or both!), we will help you to find a game that you will enjoy :) You'll have a broad choice of …

Are you tired of spending way too much of your free time in front of the TV or computer? Does your dog or cat have more of a social life than you? Well, if you're feeling like we are, let's try and remedy this. We're looking for women who want to develop some good, and hopefully long lasting friendships...women who enjoy dining out, seeing a movie, playing cards, traveling, or just sitting around with a pot of coffee and sharing themselves with each other. Men are great, and we love 'em, but not …

The Chicago UX Book Club is part of the international UX Book Club network. Join us for monthly book discussions and the opportunity to interact with students and professionals looking to share their passion and knowledge of UX, IA, UI, IxD, etc. Each month, we will choose a book or article to read and discuss. You don't have to read the book to attend -- just come with an open mind and an interest in the subject. We are also open to discussion suggestions and presentations by members related to …

Out ‘n About Elgin Moms is an all-inclusive group of moms living in and around the Elgin, IL area. Working moms and SAHMs are all welcome, and we will try to plan events on different days and times in order to include everyone. We plan to hold most of our events in Elgin and the immediate surrounding towns, but also venturing out to other northwest suburbs from time to time. This group will focus on activities for the kids (play dates, lunch, indoor and outdoor activities) and incorporate some M …

“You are one connection away from being able to change your life.” Think about that. Whatever it is you want in life, someone has or will be able to get for you. Knowledge, power, love, “stuff”… someone has it. You just have to figure out how you can help them get what they want in return for getting what you want. And that's what this Meetup.com group is about - Networking with others and seeing how we can help each other out. Key Concept Networking is simply that... a Business Networking …

Anyone willing to give a thoughtful, honest, yet respectful, critique is welcome.  Many topics, genres and forms are welcome (Ex. chapter of a novel, short story, play, poem, article, essay, etc.).  While publishing is a worthy goal, the focus of this group is helping writers fine tune works, which either have literary value or are otherwise substantive (i.e. scholarly).  All such works are welcome. Those concerned with poverty, and / or human and animal rights and welfare, and similar issues (i …

This group was inspired by Susan Cain's book "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking". We aim to encourage people who know that quiet times can be fun to claim their place in an extroverted world and make new friends in the settings and at the pace that they are comfortable with. Do you treat your life's precious moments with reflection and quiet enjoyment instead of haste? Do you like walking through leafy streets or by the lake early in the morning or at sunset, sipp …

LIVE CHAT too! Meet People Interested in Dining Out & Social Events. Break bread with fellow foodies, visit interesting venues--theater events, movies, bars/dance clubs, karaoke, comedy shows, bowling, musical & theatrical productions, sight seeing/architectural tours, etc. Learn to create new meals and desserts when we offer our Cooking Classes! Discover new restaurants, enjoy delicious meals and make satisfying conversation with friendly dinner companions. It's a big dinner table and all are w …

Do you love making people laugh? Would your life suck without comedy? Funny people, rejoice! Chicago Funny People is aimed at offering members lots of free and discounted comedy shows,workshops, and events to give you the quick fix and help you foster your funny bone. Please, leave your ego at the door! We aren't looking for 'social elites' or singles dead-set on finding a mate today; we want real people ready to take on the world in a fresh and human way! We all have a unique point of view and …

The Project Chicago Lair is a non-commercial dating, relationship, and sexuality support group for adult men in the Chicagoland area. We seek to help men become more successful in achieving their goals in their sex lives and relationships with women by fostering a community in which men can come together for beneficial discussions of these, and related issues, in an atmosphere that is both honestly critical, yet supportive and non-judgmental, as well as one in which men can form lasting friendsh …

We are a suburban group of experienced and wanna' be gardeners who are motivated to take on the responsibility of growing our own healthy food. Food that is free of GMO's and organic. I've started my own organic and GMO free seeds for the 2013 crop and I'm willing to share what I know.  But I also want to learn about canning and preserving, composting and better organic food growing techniques. We're building a community of urban farmers who are actively learning from each other.  We are also co …

We are a selective group of people who want to have fun in Chicago. We will go beyond the typical venues of bars and clubs and include events like beach parties, movie/dinner nights, festival Meetups, bbq’s in the park, sports, etc. in order to get to know each other in relaxed, social atmospheres. We will try to keep events as free/affordable as possible. This group will be very interactive and we encourage members to organize their own fun activities throughout the week. This group will be wha …

It's a new year, 2013, so lets raise the vibration of love, live boldly, be extraordinary, share in laughter, with community, all while opening to our deepest nature through creative expression. Wow! This Women’s Circle is about building a community of women that come together to create spiritually inspired works of the hand and heart. With intentions for fun, laughter, silence, stories, music, meditation, healing exercises, creating and gifting, all bringing together an exchange of ideas and …

LIVE CHAT too! Have you lived here for a while but never had the chance to get out and see the things and places in Chicago that visitors from other cities have seen? New in town and want an excuse to check some "must-see" things off the list? Just looking for something fun to do but didn't really want to do it all by yourself? Be a tourist in our own city! I had always spent the time to check out other city's offerings when I traveled on business or for pleasure, and about 10 years ago, thought …