Hi there!
As I travel around the country I’m often asked, “Why should I become a member of NextTribe? I know it’s not expensive, but what do I get if I don’t live in one of the cities where you already have active groups?”
I’ve decided to lay out all the benefits of membership in real terms. First—the community benefits. Then the travel benefits.
Community Benefits of Membership
You get plugged into the conversation. Members are added to our national WhatsApp group, where NextTribers swap ideas, ask for restaurant tips in cities they're visiting, and cheer each other on. We also encourage interest groups. Our most popular interest group is called Golden Girl Living—that’s where those of you who want to be part of a co-housing set up as you get older can exchange information and where sometimes I weigh in on NextTribe’s work in this area.
Keep up with all the NextTribe gatherings around the US. We publish a newsletter for members only—twice a month, so you can see what’s happening in your city, in other communities (in case you want to join), and to feel you’re a part of something bigger.
Find like-minded women close to you and in other cities—that means built-in friends at home (If you have a chapter—if not, you can always start one in your town) or when you travel on your own. Below are 2 recent examples of how that works.
Brenda Blue Goes to New York City
Brenda Blue, third from left, with automatic pals Arlene West, Maribeth Mooney, and Mary Ellen Cala.
From Brenda Blue: “I recently traveled to New York to visit my daughter. I was excited to plan my day exploring the city while she was working, yet had trouble narrowing down all the fabulous options. As a member of Next Tribe in Austin, TX I knew about local groups in other cities and checked the most recent newsletter to see if any events happened to be going on during my stay.
Meeting cool local women seemed much more fun than another museum visit so I joined the NYC Next Tribe WhatsApp group and posted a quick introduction with dates and what area of town I’d be in. I immediately heard back from several members who live close by and many more from different parts of the city willing to travel just to say hello. I was blown away by the response and feel honored to be part of a unique community of awesome women. Thanks Next Tribe for providing ways to connect us with other members across the country and beyond.”
Dana Mitchell Goes to Seattle
Dana Mitchell, center, with new Seattle friends Dee Quiggle and Darlene Bakes.
Dana Mitchell visits her son in Seattle a few times a year, so she reached out to the Seattle group. Here is her story:
“At this beautiful stage of midlife and beyond, I discovered NextTribe after moving to a new city and began to explore building a new group of friends. NextTribe is so much more than just passive friendships—the group is an active sisterhood of smart, curious, and adventurous women.
One added benefit I have discovered as I travel around the country is that I can connect with local NextTribe chapters and extend this sisterhood. It is a unique sanctuary of camaraderie where you can let your hair down, share your passions, and navigate life's transitions. The NextTribe groups across North America offer opportunities to find these connections wherever you are.”
The Whole Idea Behind NextTribe Memberships
These stories—from Brenda and Dana—are part of what we envisioned when we began offering memberships. We’re not just offering great trips (though we've got those). Not just stories that make you feel seen (though we've got those too). What we’re after is a real, living community of bold, curious women all over the US and parts of Canada — women who read the same newsletters you do, who are figuring out this stage of life the same way you are, and who might just become your new friend in Denver, or Dallas, or Toronto.
Travel Benefits of Membership
You hear about our trips before they’re released to the public. Members find out about new NextTribe trips before they're ever made available to the public. And more than once, a new trip has sold out to members alone before the rest of the world even got a chance.
The South Africa Sell Out
If you’ve ever considered joining us on a trip, this pre-release benefit is essential, and here’s why. Our trips are always offered first to Lifetime Members, and they get an exclusive booking window for one week. (Sorry, Lifetime memberships are all sold out!) A week later our trips are offered to members who have a week to book before the trips is made available to the public.
Last spring, we rolled out our South Africa trip—7 of the available 14 spots were booked by Lifetime Members. Then a week later, the remaining spaces were filled by members. When we released the trip to the public, we had to say, “Sorry not available.” Now the waitlist is really long—most on the list are non-members.
Priority consideration on our wait list. If you do end up on a wait list for a trip, your chances of actually getting to go improves if you’re a member. If a space comes up, we look at all those on the wait list and notify members first.
The Argentina Connection
Earlier this month, an opening arose for our trip to Argentina, which has been sold out for months. Of the 8 names on the waitlist, we chose Lauren Klein of Irvine, California because she is a member. Now, she’s booked on the trip. Yay Lauren! We can’t wait to travel with you.
Priority consideration for room upgrades. Sometimes just before a trip or at the beginning of a trip, we realize that there is a single room available (maybe because someone had to drop out at the last minute) or we see that some rooms have a few better features than others. If you’re a member, you will be the first to get moved to that better room. (Think of how the airlines do this for first class upgrades.)
The Ecuador Upgrade
Melanie Webber, above, is a long-time NextTribe member based in Los Angeles. She had booked our Ecuador and Galapagos trip in March as a double. We happened to have a room available at the very last minute—sadly because someone had health issues that prevented her from traveling. Melanie went straight to the top of the list for the single room.
“I loved my roommate, but it’s soooo nice to have your own room if you can,” Melanie says.
Last but certainly not least: $100 off any trip you book. If you’re looking at this just from an accounting perspective, this is a no brainer. You only pay $39 a year or $9 a month, whichever way you decide to join, and can get $100 off multiple times. You can combine this discount with any other discounts we offer (for example, $250 off for referring a new traveler to us, after you’ve completed your first trip).
All of this for $9 a month — cancel anytime, no hard feelings — or $39 for the year (a better deal, and it won't auto-renew on you, so no surprises).
I started NextTribe because I believe women our age are just getting bolder and better—not smaller, and more invisible. But boldness is easier, and a lot more fun, when you're not doing it alone.
Come find your people.
Hugs, and I’ll see you in the group chats!!
Jeannie Ralston, CEO and Co-Founder
P.S. After I finished writing this note to you, a member sent me an email that I found incredibly moving.
From Laura Ross of New York City:
“Call it girl power, or whatever you want, but a recent experience with some NextTribe sisters reminded me of how grateful I am for this connection.
One of our dear members, who I am fortunate enough to have traveled with, lost her husband after a short illness. Having gone through this difficult experience myself (as I know many members of our Tribe have), I understood the level of overwhelm that comes in the immediate aftermath.
Before I could think about how to help, a “team” came together to advise and work on the details of an obituary and service, and whatever other efforts might bring comfort to our friend in her grief. A thread formed (thank you, texting): “I’ll do this,” followed by “OK, then I’ll do that.” No fuss, just let’s get this done. The way women do things.
If family bonds are like knitting, the NextTribe bond is more like beautiful, open-weave crochet: We feel connected and have much to offer one another, and it’s all a gift we share, separate from the ties and burdens of our own families and longtime friends. The result is something stronger than it looks. I felt the power of it myself, when I faced a health challenge last year.
All by way of saying, don’t underestimate the power of the NextTribe community you are a part of, and feel free to reach out—you’ve got sisters you may not even know.”
