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Rich Gosse: connecting singles for over three decades
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Rich Gosse, Society of Single Professionals
Rich Gosse put on his first singles party as a way to meet more women. Fast-forward thirty one years: Rich has made a career of bringing single people together through his singles events, travel business, and other ventures.
After I became a dating coach, Rich invited me to speak about midlife dating at various events. I quickly understood that Rich really cares about helping singles to connect with each other. He co-sponsors other organization’s events, and promotes them on his website and email campaigns. The Society of Single Professionals is a great resource for Bay Area singles. In addition to events, Rich has a guide to over 170 singles organizations on his site. These include social groups with interests as varied as hobbies, religious affiliations, and lifestyles. He also lists dating coaches and classes, as well as singles groups and services. I frequently refer my coaching clients to these resources.
I’ve heard the question “where can I meet quality men (or women)?” more times than I can count. Yet many single people tell me that they are reluctant to attend a singles event. I called Rich to get his perspective:
“It’s unfortunate that people don’t want to meet others at an event where everyone is single. Where else can you go where everybody is single and available? It’s like shooting fish in a barrel. There may be a couple of cheaters at singles events, but most folks are looking for someone.” He went on, “Only one percent of the singles population has ever attended a singles event. The others talk about how they never meet anyone. It’s mind-boggling.”
What about those who say that they keep seeing the same people at singles events? He replied, “People who attend regularly feel comfortable, since they know a lot of people. One way to meet someone who isn’t a ‘regular’ is to seek out someone who looks a little uncomfortable. New people sometimes feel overwhelmed.
“I know that this sounds negative, but the bottom line is that all singles, except widows, have one common characteristic. All of their relationships have failed. Some people are very cautious, because they have been burned so badly. Some people think that those who have been single for years are not able to commit. It might be true, or they could just be picky.”
Rich went on to talk about meeting his wife at one of his events. “I was Exhibit A of the chronically single guy. I just never met the right one. I had very exacting standards. Once I met Debby, I wasn’t about to let a good thing get away.”
Rich’s current passion is his Singles Charity Ball event series, which benefits the SEVA Foundation. I asked him what inspired him to hold these dances. “After I sold AmericanSingles.com, I wanted to give back to the community. I did a lot of research about how to give money away to a foundation that uses the bulk of it to have an extraordinary effect on people’s lives. I found that SEVA does the most good for more people with the least amount of money. They are able to give blind people their sight back for only $50 in poorer countries. Once I had donated what I’d planned, I wanted to continue to do something to help. Every penny from the charity balls goes to SEVA." Rich generally holds three Charity Balls each year in various parts of the Bay Area.
The Singles Charity Ball will be held this Saturday Saturday, April 11, 8pm-Midnight
100% of your tax-deductible donation of $20/door goes to The Seva Foundation to cure blindness.
LOCATION: Westin St Francis Hotel on Union Square California Ballroom,Mezzanine Level, 335 Powell St, between Post & Geary, San Francisco CA 94102
Join me and Mason Grigsby, co-author of Love at SECOND Sight: Playing the MidLife Dating Game tonight, April 7, from 7:00 - 9:00PM as we give brief talks about midlife dating. You'll meet other midlife singles at this mixer, sponsored by Rich Gosse and the Society of Single Professionals. Location: Kingfish, 201 South B St, corner of 2nd Ave, Downtown San Mateo, 94401
Midlife dating coach, Annie Gleason, teams up with singles frustrated with the dating scene and helps them to transform their love lives with her exclusive five-step program.
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