It initially begun as an email thread, but we settled on WhatsApp owing to, well, most people having WhatsApp.

I am not from the area but the deliberations about which messaging platform is kosher are an enormous time waste for every bottom-up organization, especially FOSS projects or hacker spaces.

My thoughts exactly, but I noticed Europe is heavily dependent on WhatsApp for some reason, everyone I have ever talked to before they ask for WhatsApp and some even look shocked when you say you never use it! Instead of email, simpleX or element would do the job.

They'll enjoy their time without you just fine.