Spotlight on eBay Groups: Meet the Dallas eBaybes and eMales

We're shining our spotlight on eBay Groups, our Community platform where members can form their own micro-communities. You can find groups based on just about anything -– a topic of interest (say, Star Wars) or eBayers in your region (such as North West Florida, the Panhandle). Or you can start your own!

We're always looking for interesting Groups to feature. To nominate your own, send us an email at chatterblog@ebay.com with a description of your group. You might just end up under the lights!

Today we're featuring the Dallas eBaybes and eMales (they were actually kind enough to host Griff and other eBay team members at one of their regular in-person get-togethers, back in May). If you're in the Dallas, Texas area, you might want to attend their next meeting, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 28th at the Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson, Texas.

Here's group leader stephintexas (shown below with Griff) to tell us a bit more of the group's history and activities.

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"In 2001 I read an article about a group of eBay sellers in Atlanta called 'The Atlanta eBaybes & eMales' (alas, now defunct) and really liked the idea. So I contacted the group organizer to get permission to create a sister chapter in Dallas. As they say, the rest is history. I have made so many close friends and always look forward to our monthly meetings.

"The first meeting of the Dallas eBaybes & eMales was held on January 4, 2002 with just eight attendees. Six years later, we have four chapters (expanding to Ft. Worth, Houston and Austin) with approximately 650 members statewide. Membership is free and the only requirements are to get involved and to RSVP. We meet twice monthly -– a standard meeting on the fourth Monday at Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson, Texas, and a casual lunch for which the time and location will vary. We use meetup.com to host our website, keep track of our calendar, correspondence and RSVPs.

"Meetings include a Back to Basics class taught by member volunteers, with topics ranging from How to Improve Best Match Search Results to Digital Photography, a full dinner buffet and a guest speaker or PowerSeller panel. Guest speakers are usually an eBay Certified Solution Provider, author or an eBay/Paypal staffer. Our July 28th meeting will be the first ever joint meeting of the Dallas & Ft. Worth eBaybes & eMales chapters, PeSA (the Professional eBay Sellers Alliance) and ECMTA. We anticipate a record number of attendees.

"The Dallas eBaybes & eMales group is truly a labor of love and one of my greatest accomplishments. My vision is to see at least one chapter in all 50 states. My dream is to become eBay's ambassador and travel around the country teaching others about the benefits of an eBay group and how to create their own."