“More guys like to play games than I thought,” quips a man sitting around a table with about a dozen others at The Center. The group, ranging from early 20s to mid 50s, is playing “Sex in the City Trivia” at “Guys, Games & Grub,” a monthly social night for men organized by The Center’s Men’s Advisory Committee.

The committee has been meeting for approximately six months to focus on expanding The Center’s programs for men. “We wanted to give men something to do outside the bar and club setting and in a community environment,” said Todd Klein, a committee member.

Originally, game night was intended to be a one-time event. “However, the overwhelmingly positive response made us rethink our plans. By the end of the first night, we had already decided to make Guys, Games & Grub into a regular monthly event at The Center,” said Ken St. Pierre, development manager at The Center.

Now, on the first Wednesday of each month, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., anywhere from 90 to 150 men show up for card and board games. “It has been a huge success and it keeps getting bigger and better each month,” St. Pierre said.

“The Men’s Advisory Committee has developed a model for an incredibly successful social event for men that has given our men’s community another option for socializing in a fun, safe, affirming atmosphere,” said Jennifer Jones, director of development at The Center.

While there have been men’s committees involved in planning activities at different points in The Center’s history, and while 60 percent of the organization’s programming is for men, this particular committee has been incredibly creative and active, Jones said. “We are grateful for their dedication, hard work and creativity.”

Currently, 10 men from the community are involved in the advisory committee.

“Each committee member has an interest in developing a stronger men’s community and that is why they are involved,” said Klein, adding that committee members have been working hard to get the word out about the events each month.

It’s to the committee’s hard work and to the fact that the event is “not cliquish,” that Klein attributes the program’s success.

“There is such a diverse group of people who attend the events, and it is comfortable enough that anyone can join a group of guys at any table they want and begin playing games along with them,” Klein said.

Local businesses, including Flicks, Lucky Bucks and SD City Homes, sponsor the event each month and provide free food and drinks for participants.

The Center’s staff and board of directors are working on delivering more activities for the men’s community, such as “Men & Models,” a “sexy, sophisticated cocktail party for men,” St. Pierre said.

“Men & Models originated from the idea that we wanted to host a different type of social event for a new generation of men – a generation of men that we believe will become the future leaders of our community,” St. Pierre said. To do so, The Center teamed up with Rufskin, a San Diego-based clothing company, which will feature “15 of the hottest men in San Diego,” modeling the latest in swimwear, St. Pierre said.

The for-men-only event will raise funds to benefit men’s programming at The Center and will include an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and music at a private home. “Guests will be arriving at one of the most gorgeous penthouses in San Diego, with an amazing view of Balboa Park, the city skyline and the bay,” St. Pierre said.

“Stingaree has generously sponsored this event, and we have teamed up with Johnathan Hale of HIM PIX and Rufskin to create a fantastic fashion show. Don Wallar [an advisory board member] has hand picked all of the models for the party, and he promises that the models will be the most handsome men in San Diego,” St. Pierre said.

Men & Models will take place on Thursday, June 21, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the home of Randy Soderstrom and Steve Quinlan. Tickets for the event are $50 for guests or $150 to be part of the host committee. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting http://thecentersd.org.kintera.org/themensevent. For a sneak peek at the models, visit www.rufskin.com.

For more information about the Men’s Advisory Committee or the Men & Models event, contact Ken St. Pierre at 619-692-2077, ext. 104, or e-mail ken@thecentersd.org.