Get answers to your questions about CAC of Pittsburgh here:

Membership

• How many members does CAC of Pittsburgh have?
• How long has the club been in existence?
• What is the gender mix?
• I'm not Catholic.  Is there any way I can join?
• I don't have a college degree.  Can I still join?
• I notice that I must be "free to marry in the Catholic Church" in order to join CAC.  Do I meet this requirement?
• How much are membership dues?
• Where do my membership dues go?
• Do your members all live in or close to the City of Pittsburgh, or do some live a distance from Pittsburgh?
• Could you direct me toward any information on a CAC chapter in another city?

Events

• I am not a member yet.  May I come to any events?
• May I bring a guest to an event?
• Do I need to make a reservation to attend an event?
• I would like to go to an event, but I won't know anybody.  Do you have any suggestions?
• I am a new/prospective member.  What are the best events for me to come to initially?
• What is the cost of a typical event?  How is the money collected?
• How many people are in attendance at events?
• How do I find out whether an event is cancelled due to weather conditions?
• I have an idea or a suggestion for an event.  Who do I contact?

General

• Can I get a sample newsletter?  I would like to find out about your upcoming events in order to attend one or more of them.
• What can I expect to get out of CAC?
• I would like to help out by organizing an event or getting involved on a committee.  What should I do?
• I am a member and I'm not receiving my newsletter.  Who should I contact?
• I am a member who is moving to another residence.  Should I notify someone?
• I have a question that's not listed here.  Who should I contact?

MEMBERSHIP

Q.  How many members does CAC of Pittsburgh have?

A.  Currently, we have about 100 full and associate members and subscribers.  About 80% are full members. 

Q.  How long has the club been in existence?

A.  CAC of Pittsburgh was established in 1966.  We are a chapter of Catholic Alumni Clubs International (CACI).  CACI chapters in some cities have been around longer, the oldest for more than 50 years. 

Q.  What is the gender mix?

A.  Our membership composition is about 50% men, 50% women.  Of course, the ratios at events will vary.  Some events tend to attract more men, while others attract more women. 

Q.  I'm not Catholic.  Is there any way I can join?

A.  We accommodate single non-Catholics with the "subscriber" membership class.  To qualify for subscriber, one must be at least 21 years old and free to marry in the Catholic Church.  Subscribers have the same privileges as associate members (see Benefits of Membership). 

Q.  I don't have a college degree.  Can I still join?

A.  Provided that you are free to marry in the Catholic Church and are at least 21 years old, you may join as an associate member (if Catholic) or as a subscriber (if non-Catholic). 

Q.  I notice that I must be "free to marry in the Catholic Church" in order to join CAC.  Do I meet this requirement?

A.  If you HAVE NEVER BEEN married, you ARE free to marry in the Catholic Church.

If you HAVE BEEN married, you ARE free to marry in the Catholic Church IF, for EACH marriage:

1. the spouse is deceased, OR
2. an official Catholic Church annulment or has been obtained for that marriage, OR
3. for marriages outside the Catholic Church ONLY, a declaration from your local Diocese known as a "declaration of defective form" has been obtained.

In the event that you are not eligible to join CAC, we encourage you to contact your Diocese to obtain the necessary item above so that you can join us in our membership.  In the mean time, you are welcome to attend our events as a guest, provided that you are not currently married (or separated). 

Q.  How much are membership dues?

A.  Dues are only $30 per year.  Dues are reduced to $20 for those who opt to receive their newsletter exclusively via e-mail. This is a fraction of the dues of some organizations catering to singles.  We can afford to keep this cost low since the club is run entirely by volunteers within the membership.

Q.  Where do my membership dues go?

A.  Membership dues defray most (but not all) of the club's newsletter and operating expenses, and help support activities (such as publicity) that have no direct source of income.  The overall, slight profit from events funds the remainder of those expenses. 

Q.  Do your members all live in or close to the City of Pittsburgh, or do some live a distance from Pittsburgh?

A.  Not everyone in the club lives in or close to Pittsburgh.  About 20% of our members live outside Allegheny County.  Some live over 40 miles from Pittsburgh and attend events at least occasionally.  We are here to serve southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. 

Q.  Could you direct me toward any information on a CAC chapter in another city?

A.  The Catholic Alumni Clubs International website, www.caci.org, lists about 30 CAC chapters in other cities, with links to their websites. 

EVENTS

Q.  I am not a member yet.  May I come to any events?

A.  Absolutely.  You are welcome to come to any events that interest you before joining. 

Q.  May I bring a guest to an event?

A.  Yes, as long as they are single and at least 21 years old.  The more, the merrier! 

Q.  Do I need to make a reservation to attend an event?

A.  For most events, a reservation is not required.  Just show up.  Of course, you are always welcome to speak to the person running the event prior to attending.  Events that require a reservation will be clearly identified as such in the newsletter. 

Q.  I would like to go to an event, but I won't know anybody.  Do you have any suggestions?

A.  First, call the person running the event.  Their name and phone number should appear in the newsletter article for the event.  That person will be glad to speak with you, answer any questions, and make it a point to welcome you and introduce you to others at the event.

It is probably easier to get to know other people at events than you might think.  You will find that most people in the club are very friendly, once you make that initial approach, that is, if they don't make the approach first.

Also, we suggest that you come to several events before drawing any conclusions.  Depending upon which events you attend, you may initially see different people at each event.  As you attend more events, you will get to know people better, get more comfortable with CAC, and realize the merits of the club.  Give it a chance.  You'll be glad you did!

See our Message for Newcomers for further insight. 

Q.  I am a new/prospective member.  What are the best events for me to come to initially?

A.  House parties, picnics, birthday club dinners, volleyball, hikes, cultural events, community service, spiritual get-togethers, and other events involving some activity are good events to attend.  Once you've attended some of these events and met a few people, it will be easier to attend a dance, which has a larger crowd. 

Q.  What is the cost of a typical event?  How is the money collected?

A.  Dances, house parties, and picnics usually cost $7 to $10 for members (usually $3 more for guests).  At dances and house parties, money is collected at the door, and at picnics, at the dinner line.  Volleyball has recently varied from $1 to about $4; look for a coffee can (indoors) or a plastic bag near the net (outdoors) in which to place your money.  Some events, such as hikes, most spiritual events, and pickup softball and football, are free.  Other events will vary in price.  Events such as dinner, movies, ice skating, and miniature golf are usually paid for the way the general public pays. 

Q.  How many people are in attendance at events?

A.  Dances, house parties, and picnics are our most popular events, drawing between 30 and 80 people.  About 15 to 30 people attend volleyball and the monthly dinners.  Most other events usually draw at least 10 people. 

Q.  How do I find out whether an event is cancelled due to weather conditions?

A.  Under rare circumstances, an event is cancelled due to weather conditions.  Call our hotline at 412-341-4070, and select option #2.  This selection will mention any event cancellations. 

Q.  I have an idea or a suggestion for an event.  Who do I contact?

A.  Please contact the appropriate committee through the Contact Us Page.  We welcome your input!  

GENERAL

Q.  Can I get a sample newsletter?  I would like to find out about your upcoming events in order to attend one or more of them.

A.  Most certainly.  Request a complimentary newsletter from our Request Information Page, or by calling our hotline at 412-341-4070, and you will receive one within three weeks. 

Q.  What can I expect to get out of CAC?

A.  We suggest that you focus first on CAC's most significant and easily attainable offerings:  the ability to meet people, make new friends, share good times with others of similar faith and values, and do activities that you enjoy.  CAC provides the opportunity for you to explore new horizons by meeting new people and doing things that you always wanted to do but never had the chance.

We have a wide variety of events for you to attend.  See What We Do for a list.  Attend the events that interest you the most.  You'll have a good time doing what you like to do, and as a result, you'll be able to get to know others more easily.

The more you become a part of CAC, the more friends you will make, and the more you will get out of the club.  At some point, you may wish to get more involved by running one or more events or by serving on (or leading) a committee.  This will provide you with satisfaction, knowing that others benefit by your efforts, as well as a sense of accomplishment.  The opportunity to utilize and build leadership skills also exists.

CAC does provide the opportunity to date and the possibility to meet that "special someone."  Many couples have met in the club and married.  The best approach to take is to attend events, meet people, have fun, and see what happens from there.  That way, you will enjoy yourself at the least.

See our Message for Newcomers for further insight. 

Q.  I would like to help out by organizing an event or getting involved on a committee.  What should I do?

A.  We appreciate your interest in contributing in some way to make the club better and more enjoyable for all.  Please contact the appropriate committee or individual through the Contact Us Page. 

Q.  I am a member and I'm not receiving my newsletter.  Who should I contact?

A.  Please click here to inform our database administrator of this problem.  Include your name and address, and request a copy of the latest newsletter.  Most likely, a problem with our database exists. 

Q.  I am a member who is moving to another residence.  Should I notify someone?

A.  Definitely.  Please click here to inform our database administrator of your new address, so that you will continue to receive the newsletter.  Include your new address, phone number, and effective date. 

Q.  I have a question that's not listed here.  Who should I contact?

A.  You may submit your question to the appropriate committee or individual at the Contact Us Page.  Someone will get back to you soon.