Frequently Asked Questions
What is Essex IVC (Inter-Varsity Club)?
Essex IVC is an active social club for graduates and like-minded people who want to socialise and participate in activities and, above all, enjoy life. It is a member of the National Association of IVC’s and covers all of Essex.
It is NOT a dating agency or singles club!
How long has the club been going?
The Association of IVCs has been going since 1947. Essex IVC was set up in 1968 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008. We currently have a growing membership of well over 250, making us one of the largest IVC groups in the country.
Who can join?
Membership is open to both singles and couples within the age range 25 to 50’s. We have no barriers on the basis of sex, marital status, sexuality, disability, race nor religion.
How do I join?
You first need to register with us. You do this by requesting a registration pack by phoning our Prospective Members' Secretary on 07891 927046.
What sort of events/activities can I take part in?
We run a wide variety of events from regular events such as pub nights, meals, ten pin bowling, card and games evenings, weekend walks and our club night, to one-off events such as punting, trips to places of interest, the theatre and horse races.
We hold several major events throughout the year including a May Ball and a Christmas dinner dance. Members also organise short breaks, holidays and attend events organised by other IVC groups in the country. The only limitation on events is the imagination and organisation skills of our members!
Where do events take place?
Regular events take part throughout Essex but club events are most frequent around the Chelmsford, Billericay, Brentwood, Maldon and Southend areas. This is simply a reflection of where our more active members live and this does change over time. We aim to put on events in all areas of the county as much as practicable.
Can I try out the club before I decide whether to join?
Yes. Once you have registered, you will then be a 'Prospective Member', and you will receive 3 monthly bulletins free of charge. These give full details of all the events. During that time, you will need to attend at least 3 events, so that you can get a feel of the club and decide whether it is for you. If you decide to join, you can then submit your application for membership.
I am rather nervous about coming on my own?
The first events may seem a bit daunting, but remember that most of our members did not know anyone else when they joined. It’s a good idea to contact the host beforehand so they can welcome you and introduce you to people.
What commitment do I have to make as a member?
You will be free to attend as many or as few events as you like, although we encourage every member to host at least one event a year.
Can I bring my children / friends / dog to events?
IVC is an adult social club and the majority of events take place in the evening and often in licensed premises, so children are discouraged. However, there are some events such as trips and walks, where it may be possible to bring children. This decision is up to the event organiser who should always be consulted prior to the event.
A dog may be brought to appropriate events such as walks, again at the discretion of the event organiser.
Prospective members are NOT allowed to bring guests to events. A full member may be permitted to bring a guest to an event at the discretion of the event organiser. This is to be regarded as a ‘one off’ and anyone thinking of attending several events must register as a prospective member. Where an event has limited numbers and is likely to be oversubscribed, guests may be barred to maximise places for members.
How do I know events are safe and properly managed?
Events are either organised by our own members or have a member responsible for organising those IVC members attending (such as a theatre visit). Events are approved by the Events Secretary on behalf of the committee before being advertised to members and anything we are not happy with would not be put in the Bulletin. Most events are organised in public places and attract several members, but if you have any concerns about an event, please contact the organiser beforehand.
Some events take place in people’s homes so we would expect you to respect the host's property. It is also for the reasons of members’ safety that we will not allow non-members to attend events without a full member to vouch for them and only with the agreement of the host.
We sometimes participate in events run by other organisations – in these cases we will make members aware that there will also be non-IVC people attending the event.
What does it cost?
Membership for a single person is £35 per year, joint membership for a couple at the same address sharing one bulletin is £53. IVC is a non-profit making organisation and the membership fee is primarily to cover the costs of printing, postage and basic running costs.
The club does not charge any attendance fee for an event. Events vary in cost for such things as entrance tickets and food, although we do try to choose venues which are within most members’ budgets. For events where there is an entrance fee etc, the costs are stated in the event information in the bulletin whenever possible. Hosts will sometimes make a small charge for refreshments for events in their home to cover their costs.
Can I find my ideal partner at IVC?
Essex IVC is not a singles club and 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 - in fact many of our members join us because we are NOT a singles club - they just want to have fun and friendship.
Of course, the relaxed atmosphere can and does sometimes 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.