Internet Privacy When Organizing Events: Possible?

(I think that) I would like to hold events and organize meetings for my dear fellow citizens here in my town. BUT...I don't want my name and phone number all over the Internet. I value my privacy on the Internet extremely--I use pseudonyms everywhere. And so if I am going to try to get something started in my local town, I fear I will have to have my name and contact information somewhere on the web. Does anyone have experience doing group-things like this and keeping him- or herself off the Internet?

I would suggest you use a title "convener' - Rachel.
And maybe have a separate phone # for the event which will completely separate things from the home.
I think you will have to accept the use of a name, because people may feel duped if they find you are a "Caroline' in another life.

John C Daley wrote:I think you will have to accept the use of a name, because people may feel duped if they find you are a "Caroline' in another life.

That's why I would only use my real name, when trying to get in touch with people I wanted to meet--but I  don't want to be more "Google-able" than I already am, you know?

For avoiding spam I have at times written my e-mail down as "username some other words gmail.com" But that leaves my real email address out there. And I'm not sure if it fools the machines, anyways.

There are a number of services that either let you create a new email and forward it to your mailbox, like Firefox Relay. Or ones that let you create any email address and then shows all the emails it receives to anyone who asks. Mailinator works on that principle.

The other option is creating a website and then putting a "Contact Us" form on it. The Contact Us form can be set up to email you, without giving people your email address.

EDIT: A day after I put my email address here that way a scammer hit me up out of the blue. So that strategy might not work anymore.

I've done it unsuccessfully (left social media for all the reasons you can imagine).
If you can get away with having accounts as "Podunk Meetup" or something like that, or "Raquel at Podunk Meetup", that is what I would suggest. Facebook has the problem of having to use a real name, i'm not sure if you can set up your name and then minimize it to be Raquel L. or something similar. We always set up free email accounts (podunkmeetup@gmail, forwarded to my own email), and I don't ever, ever give out my phone to anyone. If you feel you need a phone, i'd consider getting a pay as you go phone chip for your cell phone-- here most phones have two chip slots, so you can put it in alongside your own. If you don't have two chips, maybe consider a cheapo burner phone bought online, the bummer is that you have to carry around two phones.
If you do carry a smartphone with data and use google, you can set up a free google voice number and calls get forwarded to your own phone. I'm not sure if real names are associated with it but if it became a problem you could always deactivate the number or change the settings and then no calls will reach you. https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Google-Voice-Phone-Number

If I wanted to do something like you are wanting to do, I would hold the event at a local park, public library, or others places where they would allow me/give me permission to have an event.

I would make up flyers without my name, phone number, or address.

"Let's meet at _________ to talk about _______________, refreshment will be offered.

Instead of refreshment, I might say coffee and tea, etc.

Turnout might be the same or slightly lower without a name or the name of an organization.

Having others interested in holding the event will help spread the word that an event is being held.

Personally, I would avoid anything involving Google or Facebook. Both make their money off of gathering personal information, and they are extremely good at it. I find them quite creepy.

Complete privacy is almost impossible, but that doesn't mean you have to make it easy.

For email, I find Microsoft's free @outlook addresses less invasive. If you sign up with a "burner" phone number and use something like "Rachel the Gardener at outlook dot ..." you have a bit of separation from the rest of your life.

Or, are you involved in a community organization? Could you use their contact numbers, email and web/facebook presence to promote your events?