Newbie wants to start a local club

Good luck with the search Bob

SmartGambler

Just moved to Ft Walton Beach FL I am looking to join or start a model club ...

IPMS Chapters in Florida are listed here

http://ipmsusa.org/ChapterDirectory/state_select.asp?ST=FL

That will give you an idea as to what is already out there.  

To form a new IPMS Chapter you need at least  5 members signed up with the national organization.

Contact the Florida Regional Coordinator for other requirements and assistance in organizing a chapter

http://ipmsusa.org/ChapterDirectory/locator_main.asp

Hi, Bob, welcome to the forum!

If I may offer some advice, because I've thought about doing the same thing.  I live in Bethlehem, and the nearest IPMS club is in Philly.  I belong there, and wouldn't quit just because another club is closer, because I have friends there, but it would be nice to get something going up here, too.

I recommend starting small, take baby steps.  Look for a local hobby shop, whether it's an old-time Mom-and-Pop place, or a newer store, like HobbyTown.  Michael's and AC Moore can also serve the purpose.  If you have a local hobby shop, see if there is already a group of modelers who congregate at semi-regular intervals.  If there is, start getting together with them.  They might just want to continue an informal/casual relationaship, but there might also be interest in becoming more organized and if so, that can provide the beginnings of a club.  It doesn't have to be an IPMS club, either, though there are advantages to joining the association, eventually.  You're already taking the step of surveying via the Internet, which is a useful tool for communication, to state the obvious, but I would also get out and pound the pavement.

To my own situation, I have up here precisely what I've described.  We have a HobbyTown in Allentown, and there are modelers who come and go, so it's sort of a proto-club at this point.  And the owners of the store encourage the modelers, because it brings them into the store, where they'll spend money.  The arts-and-craft store franchisees are beginning to do this, too.  In my IPMS club, we've partnered with a local AC Moore store in Cherry Hill, NJ.  They want to promote their expanded modeling section, and so they hosted some children's building take-away days.  We provided experience and enthusiasm, but my point is, the store owner may see the promotion value in hosting a modeling club.  Actually, many established IPMS clubs also meet at the stores.

So, check your local stores, if you haven't already, it might pan out for you.

Best regards,

Brad

Welcome to the forum Bob glad to have you here with us

Good luck with your endeavor , the Baron has some good advice ...

                                                          The Original MOJO Outcast !

First things first find a location. Many public libraries, churches, community centers, park & rec departments will accommodate small groups and charge little or nothing. There is an IPMS Chapter in the greater Chicago area that meets at a large assisted living facility...nice place too! You need to advertise the organization of the club. You of course need to reach your audience, so craft and hobby stores are obvious places to seek permission to hang a flyer. Do the same at schools, churches, libraries...grocery stores. Attend modeling events in the area/state to leave flyers on the information table about your club.

Don't worry about starting out as an IPMS Chapter from the get go unless you meet the requirements from day one. You can upgrade later! Introduce yourself to your local middle and high school principle, counselors and police liaison officers. They can be instrumental in getting kids involved.

Kids: This presents a possible issue. If you are going to have minors in attendance, you should make sure that the host (you) are not on any kind of list that prevents you from being around kids. Same holds true for members. Encourage parents to attend and participate with their kids!

Learned of a situation about just such a thing happening to a 4H group. One of the parents who was in a leadership role was forbidden to be around kids under 16 other than his own. One of the other parents checked on the guy and learned of his probation conditions. You just never know these days unless you check.

Once you have a group, you can decide on the rules of membership, dues, officers and other means to promote the group. Create a FB page and eventually a website.

GO MAN GO!

Good advice but i am challenged by the fact there is only 1 hobby store within 60 miles that sells models. not like las vegas where i had 5 stores and the 1 hobby shop has no interest in plastic models only rc cars  What should help me is i am 2 miles from eglin afb and hurlburt field afb. i dont care if we start with IPMS or not just looking to meet monthly with other modelers. i probally will start with flyers at the base hobby shops

The Pensacola IPMS Chapter isn't that far away. There used to be a group of guys out of Hurlbert too, but that was some time ago. Most probably PCS'd.

Howdy and welcome, Always good to have a fresh face (so-to-speak). Magoo