Lori, what you describe is exactly my (limited) experience with meetup groups.

Quote:
I just make it clear I want to hike with a particular kind of backpacker for one trip or another - the leadership is more a matter of deciding who's going. One of my main tactics with meetup groups (I have two, and yep, I'm the primary organizer in both, but lots of event hosts in each) is being very explicit up front and then guiding the newbies away from certain trips before they get in over their head. Once on the trip I kick back and let group consensus take over,


Some of the meetups really limit the size of the groups due to the area they are heading for and some are geared to beginners. So far the people I have met are all smart, helpful, and all over the map culturally; one guy is originally from India and works in San Diego while his wife, kids, and extended family live in Chicago. So he uses the meetup's to keep busy on the weekends.


Dyingjohnnie check this out

meetup .com