I was an organizer for hundreds of meetup events. I quit because I could no longer deal with the psycho, creepy, and just plain crazy people that would come to my events.
After all of the work that I did... I agree with other former organizers on meetup.com that meetup is definitely for losers who do not have the social skills to make friends in real life.
Wow, not sure what groups you were a part of, but it sure sounds bitter and hateful. I've had the oddball creep emailing me (before even going to an event, I might add), but had positive experiences as a whole. And before you go and make judgements about my social skills, I do have friends I hang out, not as often as I'd like. (some are married, and some are just too busy with family related issues)
I became a member of a Friendship group, not for lack of friends, but lack of friends that had time to hang out. The organizer actually cancelled the day before for her own event! It was to be at a Art studio where you pick pottery to paint ( for a $20-50 fee). 3-4 other events she created all had to do with "Paint nights" which cost 40 dollars to attend here in Long Island NY. I started to get suspicious. Nagging feeling she was just trying to get people to attend these events (like a promoter). Sure enough, I emailed her and asked if she does anything else with this group such as a dinner or drinks...very next day she creates a Dinner event with only 2 days notice for everyone. I rsvp'ed yes just to see what would happen-again she cancelled her own event.
Therefore, I believe she was just hired to get people to come to these events to make money for the people running them.
Be Aware!
My experiences were different. In Cologne (Germany)an American model (unique L.)organized language meetings (Expats in Cologne). I went a few times but more and more her meetups became weird. Almost like a dating party. When I visited with my GF the whole group started to ignore us. One member tried to make a move at her. The biggest joke was that the organizer herself didn't turn up. Her co-organizer got very nasty after I put a bad review on their website. Blocking me and kick us out of the group. The joke was that this lady cheated on her BF on a regular basis. Nagging half drunk why one German member didn't want to take her home. The same lady calling me and my GF pointless and agressive. Wowwwwwwww
I just wrote my comment and it has disappeared