About us
Beyond Small Talk (BST) is an East Bay community that exists to create opportunities for genuine connection—so people can find friendship, belonging, and people to share life with through all of its seasons.
We come together through Walk+Talks, coffee, games, outdoor adventures, local experiences, volunteering, community socials, and other shared activities that make it easier to connect naturally. What begins with a conversation or a shared experience can, over time, grow into real friendship.
At the heart of BST are kindness, openness, respect, inclusion, curiosity, and thoughtfulness. My hope is for this to be a community where people feel welcome and comfortable being themselves—and help create that same sense of belonging for others.
One conversation, one shared experience, one friendship at a time.
Community Expectations
To preserve the welcoming culture and ensure a positive experience for everyone, members are asked to:
- RSVP only if you genuinely plan to attend. If your plans change, please update your RSVP promptly so another member may join.
- Attend only if you are on the RSVP list or have confirmed with the organizer beforehand.
- Please do not bring unregistered guests unless the event allows them or you've received approval from the organizer beforehand.
- Respect others' time. Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the community. For smaller, limited-capacity events, repeated last-minute cancellations may also affect your ability to attend future events.
- No Advertising, Sales, or Self-Promotion - This is not a marketplace or advertising platform. Any unsolicited advertising, selling, recruiting, or self-promotion in the Meetup group or event discussions will result in immediate removal and a permanent ban from the community.
Thank you for helping make BST a kind, respectful, and welcoming community. I look forward to continuing to build it together with all of you.
Marilyn 🦋🌈☀️
Upcoming events
4
Past events
60
