perk2, I was searching for a graphic for me and came across this for you. Check this site out. Just scroll down the page. Here is a link that might be useful: red hat glass block

I belong to two chapters right now. One we just meet at each others homes and try to plan an outing once a month. This group is not into going out and "playing" that much but I really enjoy the ladies so I stay. I look forward more to the gatherings we hold at each others homes. It's always fun. Games or maybe a potluck. The other chapter is huge. 125 members. Lots of politics to deal with etc. but they do a lot of really fun activities. They have somethings that are weekly or monthly like coffee mornings,book club,picnics in the warmer months etc, as well as teas,plays and dining out. w We also get invited to events other chapters put on because the Queen belongs to a Queen's council (group or Queens in the area). I am am a member of the court which makes me a Princess LOL. I am soooooo NOT a Princess. Since you are an official member you have access to all the things posted on the Queen Mother Board on the RHS website. Many chapters open their larger activities to all. Look for something in your area and attend. Te Tramping (attending without a chapter is fun. You meet more people because you are not sitting with a group of you own. Everyone talks to you. I found my smaller chapter I'm in that way. Went to a multi-chapter picnic alone and was invited to sit with them.

I'm in a Red Hat group and we're not in the least snobbish. I think those who have formed that impression either have interacted with particular group which does have that sort of women, or have simply formed that opinion based on little or no evidence. Our small group of ladies are from all walks of life. Some are still working, some are retired and well off, some are retired and on a pension. Education levels vary, even countries of origin, yet we all get on together. The purpose of Red Hats is to just have fun. No fund raising or community service. Our group members do a lot of that already and joined the Red Hats to have a purely social outlet. We decide together on activities that will interest us and the Queen organises them. We have been on garden tours, cooking classes, craft classes, outdoor movies with pizza dinners, museum trips, whatever appeals. Not everyone is available to go all the time, we just go with whoever can. Our last museum outing was fun, lots of people asked us why we were all "dressed like that" and we were happy to explain that we were just a group of "over 50s growing old ungracefully" :-) Some people even asked to have a photo taken with us. So, I think if you find the right fit group, you would have a good time.

I belong to 3 different chapters. One is basically about dining out once a month. Most of it's members belong to other smaller chapters so It's a good place to network and get invites to the things they do. These ladies love to dress in regalia. Lot's of bling and hats from casual to silly to beautiful at their events. My second chapter is the one where we have the most friendships. We take turns hosting in our homes for a monthly gathering where we have a short "business" meeting followed by a game or whatever else the hostess has planned. Sometimes it's a potluck and sometimes it's themed, perhaps an ice cream social, a luah or a poolside drink and munch. This group also does one monthly outing. This month we went to see the elephants seals. Fun and friendliest group but not much into the dressing up and being seen part. Sigh, now they are calling me the "hat Nazi" since I always comment if one is not wearing one. LOL The Queen is shy about bling and so they follow her lead. Third is a new group that is a spin off of another large (over 100) group. The Queen likes to do plays, visits to museums etc. and ethnic dining out. I'm enjoying this group but it is still in the formative stages and doesn't have a committed membership yet. So Red Hatting is different for everyone. You have to find the right fit. I have thought about starting my own but I am quite busy with these three, picking and choosing what I enjoy doing with each.