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Q. What is Tees Valley IVC?
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A. - A vibrant and active social club for singles and couples who want to go places,
do things and get together. It is one club within a national association and covers
a wide geographical area centred around the Tees Valley area. Just for the record
- it is NOT a dating agency or singles club!
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Q. How long has it been going?
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A. - The Association of IVCs has been going since 1947. IVC in the Tees Valley area
was set up 38 years ago - in 1970. This means we have a track record - not here today and then disappeared.
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Q. Who joins? What is the club membership profile?
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A - We have no barriers on the basis of sex, marital status, sexuality,
disability, race or religion. The club currently has around 100 members: Ranging from those in their twenties upwards,
with the main age group being in their 30s and 40s.
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Q. What area do you cover?
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A - We mainly cover the Tees Valley and County Durham area although we also have members in North
Yorkshire. The main towns we cover are Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Norton, Billingham, Stockton, Yarm, Guisborough, Redcar, Saltburn, Marske and Sedgefield.
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Q. How Much does it cost?
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A - Our Current membership rates are £26.00 for single members and £46.00 for married couples.
Unwaged membership fee is £26.00 but is payable in two instalments.
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Q. What do I get for my money?
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A - Unlike some clubs, TVIVC is not a business, run for profit. We charge an annual
subscription to pay for printing of the monthly events programme, marketing, insurance and general administration costs.
Events are free, except where the organiser necessarily incurs a cost, such as for theatre tickets, accommodation or for
providing food. In these cases, the cost is passed on without overhead and you will be informed in advance so you can make
your own mind up if you wish to take part.
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Q. What do I have to do as a member?
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A - The main thing is to enjoy yourself! Attend as many events as you wish - there is no
minimum and no maximum, except that we would like you to help organise a couple of events each year (which you can do in
conjunction with another member, if you prefer). Organising events is an excellent way to get to know other members.
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Q. Can I try before I buy?
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A - You certainly can! - and unlike some other clubs we don't limit you to just one preview event.
Join us for a three months for only £6.50 and get to know us before you commit yourself. You can come along to any Clubnight or
Event - contact the New Members Team for details.
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Q. Where do you meet?
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A - We have two Clubnights per month on a Monday evening. The second Monday in the month is a roving
event which tends to take place in a pub or bar.
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Q. Can you give me some idea of what the club does?
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A - Events are as varied as members wish. Over the past year, they have included walks, cycle rides,
parties, barbecues, meals out, camping trips, visits to local attractions, cinema and theatre trips, quiz nights, weekends away,
holidays abroad, sailing, river cruises, clubbing, jazz events, dance events including both salsa and ceroc, and many more. If you have an idea for an event, you don't need
to get permission - just put it in the programme. We hold around 300 events each year, plus regular monthly clubnights and other
regular events such as sports evenings.
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Q. How do I book onto an event?
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A - You will be given a Programme each month (you can collect this at a Clubnight or have it
posted to you free of charge). The Programme will tell you precisely what to do - normally just a matter of telephoning
another member and asking if there is still space.
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Q. Can I bring my child to events?
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A - It depends on the event and the organiser. Remember that this is a club for adults. Some events (like late night parties) do not lend themselves to children attending whereas
others (like picnics or trips to the cinema) may well do. A number of members have children, so it's not out of the question.
Check with the organiser before you book in.
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Q. Can I bring my dog?
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A - It depends on the event and the organiser. Some (like visits to other members' homes) may
not lend themselves to this whereas others (like walks) may well do. Check with the organiser before you book in.
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Q. Can I bring a friend?
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A - We'd like to meet your friends, so bring them along. However, if they come along regularly,
please expect us to ask them to join - it's fair that they do so. It's also fair that they pay any costs associated with the
event and, for some events, we may surcharge the cost for non-members.
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Q. Is there any way of finding out what's on at short notice?
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A - Yes. Members do organise things at the last minute and we have an email message service that
you can use to send messages about events to other members and to receive messages as well.
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Q. What sort of facilities are there for finding my ideal partner?
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A - We don't do dating events! Some of our members are married, or already in couples,
and this would be inappropriate. Single members don't always want the pressure of matchmaking - they just want to have
fun and friendship. Of course, this relaxed atmosphere can lead to relationships and, when it does, they tend to be based
on common values, beliefs and interests rather than on the artificiality of dating agencies.
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Q. I'd still like to talk to someone before I come along. How can I do this?
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A - You probably have all sorts of questions to ask. Call one of our New Members Team.
Please note that the Committee members are not paid and are not full time, so you may need to leave a message and
we'll call you back.
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