Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Tees Valley IVC?
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!Q. How long has it been going?
A. - The Association of IVCs has been going since 1947. IVC in the Tees Valley area was set up 40 years ago - in 1970. This means we have a track record - not here today and then disappeared.Q. Who joins? What is the club membership profile?
A - We have no barriers on the basis of sex, marital status, sexuality, disability, race or religion. The club currently has around 100 membersQ. What area do you cover?
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.Q. How Much does it cost?
A - Our current membership rates is £24.00.Q. What do I get for my money?
A - Unlike some clubs, TVIVC is not a business, run for profit. We charge an annual subscription to pay for publicity, insurance and general administration costs. We also often subsidise main events. 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.Q. What do I have to do as a member?
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.Q. Can I try before I buy?
A - You certainly can! - and unlike some other clubs we don't limit you to just one preview event. Join us for three months free and get to know us before you commit yourself. You can come along to any event although we do have designated New Members' events- contact the New Members Team for details.Q. Where do you meet?
A - We have one specific New Members' night each month, where your new members team will talk to you about the club. This could be a pub night or sometimes a meal. The venues change each month and we try to cover different parts of the Tees Valley area.Q. Can you give me some idea of what the club does?
A - Events are as varied as members wish. Over the past year, they have included walks, cycle rides, mountain biking, surfing, parties, barbecues, meals out, camping trips, visits to local attractions, cinema and theatre trips, quiz nights, salsa and weekends away, amongst many other things. 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 sporting activities. We also organise fundraising events for our nominated charity, which this year is the Teesside Hospice.Q. How do I book onto an event?
A - You will be able to download a programme from this website each month. The Programme will tell you precisely what to do - normally just a matter of telephoning, texting or emailing another member and asking if there is still space.Q. Can I bring my child to events?
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.Q. Can I bring my dog?
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.Q. Can I bring a friend?
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 subsidized main events, we would ask non-members to pay the full price for the event.Q. Is there any way of finding out what's on at short notice?
A - Yes. Members do organise things at the last minute and we have an egroup that we use to send messages about events to other members and to receive messages as well. This is only open to full members so your new members' team will forward on emails which may be of interest to you. It is easy to join the egroup so once you become a full member you can follow the instructions in the programme in order to become part of it. We also have a Facebook group called Tees Valley IVC Official, which you can request to join and members share details of upcoming events on here, as well as posting comments on ones that they have just attended.Q. What sort of facilities are there for finding my ideal partner?
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.Q. I'd still like to talk to someone before I come along. How can I do this?
A - You probably have all sorts of questions to ask. Contact 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 as soon as we can!If you have further questions please contact the new members team through our contact form.