Why Cash ≠ Class & What to Expect at The Group’s Events
At The Group, we pride ourselves on providing an environment beyond luxury and exclusivity. It’s not just about the high-end venues, exceptional entertainment, or the privacy and discretion our members enjoy. It’s also about the character and behavior of those who join us. We’ve learned over the years that cash does not equal class.
While some might believe that paying for an event guarantees access to an elite experience, The Group is built on far more than financial transactions. We seek to create a community where members understand that their behavior, respect for others, and alignment with our values are what truly elevate our gatherings.
The Purpose of The Table at Just For Dinner
To help preserve the integrity of our community, we introduced Just For Dinner more than a decade ago as an initial gateway for potential members. Today, that experience has evolved into The Table at Just For Dinner, an invitation-only dinner series for accomplished professionals in the lifestyle.
These intimate, one-night gatherings allow us to meet new guests in a relaxed and refined environment. More importantly, they allow everyone around the table to become acquainted naturally, without the expectations or pressures that can accompany a larger lifestyle event.
The Table is not an interview, nor is it simply a test someone must pass. It is a complete evening on its own and an opportunity for guests to experience the character of The Group firsthand. It also gives relationships the time and space to begin developing before anyone is invited into more private areas of the community.
For those who do not already know someone inside The Group, The Table remains the principal gateway into our community. Others may begin through a direct referral from a Full Member or through one of our other gateway experiences, including Jackets Required for those under forty and Stiletto Social, an experience created exclusively for women, regardless of orientation or relationship status.
By inviting prospective members to these smaller, curated experiences, we create an opportunity to discover whether everyone genuinely enjoys spending time together before the relationship progresses. We take the time to understand not just whether someone enjoys luxury, but whether they embody the discretion, respect, and sense of camaraderie that are among the core values of The Group.
Those relationships may eventually lead to Provisional Membership and an invitation to attend a longer Group weekend or visit The Resort. It is through those shared experiences, rather than a single evening or financial transaction, that meaningful relationships develop and a person’s place within the community becomes clear.
You can learn more about the complete journey on our Membership page.
Expectations at Group Events
There are clear expectations for behavior when attending any of The Group’s soirees, whether it’s an intimate dinner, a private party, a weekend getaway, or a stay at The Resort. These are not simply unwritten social rules. They are the principles that help ensure everyone has a positive, comfortable, and safe experience.
What We Expect
Discretion: Members and guests are expected to honor the privacy of others at all times. This includes avoiding the disclosure of personal details about other members, their preferences, their relationships, or their involvement with The Group to anyone outside the community.
Respect for Consent: Consent is paramount, whether it involves a hug or a more intimate encounter. As our membership spans different generations, it’s important to remember that standards for consent have evolved. Today’s emphasis on enthusiastic, ongoing consent is a baseline expectation throughout The Group.
Social Compatibility: Our events are designed to bring together individuals who share similar values and who can engage with one another in meaningful and respectful ways. The aim is to foster genuine connections, not transactional or promotional interactions.
Class and Behavior: Simply put, members and guests are expected to comport themselves with class. This means avoiding behavior that draws undue attention, creates discomfort for others, or fails to align with the tone of the event.
When Someone Isn’t Acting Appropriately
Unfortunately, as our community has grown, we have encountered occasions when individuals haven’t met the standards we hold dear. When this happens, we take swift and discreet action to preserve the overall harmony of our events and protect the trust our members place in us.
Over the years, we’ve addressed a variety of issues. Here are just a few examples of behavior that has led to individuals being removed from The Group:
Inappropriate Conduct: Whether it’s public indecency, being indiscreet when discussing lifestyle-related activities in public settings, crossing boundaries with other members, or making inappropriate physical advances without consent, these behaviors are never tolerated. We’ve had instances where individuals have overstepped, and they were subsequently removed to protect the integrity of The Group.
Breach of Confidentiality: Sharing confidential information about fellow members outside The Group is a severe violation. On one occasion, a couple shared private details about another couple’s attendance with a third party, which led to their removal from our community.
Solicitation and Promotion: Our events are about connection, not promotion. When a couple began promoting another venue and soliciting our staff for unrelated services, it became clear that they were not a fit for The Group.
While these examples may seem extreme, they illustrate the breadth of behaviors we address in order to maintain the highest standards of trust and mutual respect. We have removed individuals when necessary, but we have also worked diligently behind the scenes to address more minor concerns before they become more significant issues.
Full Membership should never be interpreted as immunity from these standards. Membership reflects the trust that has developed between an individual or couple and the wider community, but maintaining that trust remains an ongoing responsibility. Every member shares in protecting the privacy, comfort, and character of The Group.
A Safe, Classy Environment
At The Group, we want to reassure every Prospective, Provisional, and Full Member that we uphold clear expectations and standards of behavior. We are committed to providing a safe, classy environment where members can enjoy themselves in the company of others who share their values.
You can trust that when you attend an event with The Group, you will be surrounded by people who appreciate luxury, discretion, and respect just as much as you do. More importantly, you will be surrounded by people who understand that the quality of an experience is determined not only by the setting, but also by the character of those who share it.
As we continue to grow, we are implementing additional measures to further protect the privacy and experience of our members. Our Membership Agreement, which includes a Non-Disclosure Agreement, formalizes these expectations and helps ensure that interactions within The Group continue to align with our guiding principles.
These standards are not intended to make our gatherings feel restrictive. Quite the opposite. Clear expectations allow people to relax. When members know their privacy will be respected, their boundaries will be honored, and inappropriate behavior will be addressed, they are free to be more present and to enjoy the experience with confidence.
In conclusion, The Group isn’t simply about attending an event. It’s about belonging to a community of like-minded individuals who value trust, respect, discretion, and the relationships that develop when exceptional people spend meaningful time together.
Full Membership cannot simply be purchased. It is bestowed after trust and belonging have had the opportunity to develop through shared experiences. Paying for dinner, a weekend, or a stay at The Resort may provide access to an experience, but it does not purchase a place within the community.
As we often say, “Those who belong here find their way.”
We look forward to welcoming you into this carefully curated community and ensuring that you have unforgettable experiences in a place where behavior, not money, defines class.