Starting a modelling club

A model club (or any club), is exactly what the members make of it. It's their club,so they should decide how the meetings are run. I think most modelers are reluctant to move their in-progress project from their workbench to a meeting and then back again. Our club has a bi-monthly Model of the Month contest between members. The members vote on 1st ,2nd and 3rd places. At the end of the year,the modeler with the most points is our "Modeler of the Year".  On the months that we don't have a contest, we have discussions and or technique demo's.      A gathering of people who share the same hobby interest can only lead to many things--lot's of friendships,sharing of info,techniques learned,road trips to contests,Holiday parties and a GREAT time had by all!!    Just remember these words-- IT'S ONLY A HOBBY!!  If it gets too serious or members feel awkward at meetings,then everyone needs to look at the big picture and remember- "IT'S ONLY A HOBBY !!!   I wish you success in your club and please keep us informed on it's progress.   GOOD LUCK !!!

bobmodel wrote:

A model club (or any club), is exactly what the members make of it. It's their club,so they should decide how the meetings are run. I think most modelers are reluctant to move their in-progress project from their workbench to a meeting and then back again. Our club has a bi-monthly Model of the Month contest between members. The members vote on 1st ,2nd and 3rd places. At the end of the year,the modeler with the most points is our "Modeler of the Year".  On the months that we don't have a contest, we have discussions and or technique demo's.      A gathering of people who share the same hobby interest can only lead to many things--lot's of friendships,sharing of info,techniques learned,road trips to contests,Holiday parties and a GREAT time had by all!!    Just remember these words-- IT'S ONLY A HOBBY!!  If it gets too serious or members feel awkward at meetings,then everyone needs to look at the big picture and remember- "IT'S ONLY A HOBBY !!!   I wish you success in your club and please keep us informed on it's progress.   GOOD LUCK !!!

The club can be all that you want, its the members who make it. The guys I meet with in our club talk  about the day to days, new kits, old kits, whats in the pile, whats on the bench, practically anything. The guys with more experience help the guys without. We hold session nights to demo painting and casting resin for example. Its there to inspire and inform and not to ridicule. We sometimes use the time just to clean parts for the next build project. Good luck and hope it a success.

First, you'll need a place to meet. Perhaps the LHS can accomodate after hours if there's a back room. If not, your publc library might be an option. If you're active in your church, they may have some space in the church hall. Also, any civic organization may be able to help. Try to find free/donation based site rather than full rental. Do not get into the habit of passing the hat to pay for the meeting place. At last resort, your home may have to do. restaurants aren't too cool about having a bunch of guys hang out after the foods gone.

Next, choose a date and time and create/post a flyer at the hobby shop. Include your number and  indicate if it's a themed club, such as cars or armor, or all types.

The other posters pretty much covered the what to do at the meeting. We occasionally have speakers, build nights, and always have a show and tell of in progress or finished projects. I keep the business at a minimum. We discus contests/shows we've been to and modeling related issues. We have a Christmas party at the December meeting, a pizza party in May at a restaurant to celebrate the contest, and have started doing a cook-out meeting in July. Members have car pooled to air shows and contests. When the event is an overnight, we share costs and rooms. We also subsidize our members' entries into the IPMS nationals as well as provide a discount to members who join IPMS through the club.

In time, you may want to charter your group with IPMS whjich will provide you with insuarance for any event you sponsor.

I've never belonged to a modelling club (or any other club for that matter) but if I did I would want it to be like the one Konig Tiger described, except I would try to hold it somewhere that that guys can have a beer - which would exclude the library and especially a church

I like the idea of a club being more relaxed, with only enough rules to keep it manageable. Contests would definitely not be on the agenda.

Rudi35 wrote:

except I would try to hold it somewhere that that guys can have a beer

I would avoid that at all costs.

First, you are essentially precluding any under 21 modellers, recovering alcoholics and in general people who don't want to be at a bar for whatever reasons. As mentioned before, restaurants (and other service businesses) aren't too keen about you taking up a seat and not laying down some money. At a bar, even if you and your group doesn't over indulge, you are putting yourselves in the territory of people who might and might also be beligerent and derissive of guys talking models that aren't wearing swimsuits.

Second, as organizer, you could be held liable in the event someone at your meeting became intoxicated and had an accident. It might be a stretch, but it's not one I'd want to foot the legal bills for defending.

lastly, these places aren't typically well lit and conducive to looking at the details of models.

Rudi35 wrote:

I've never belonged to a modelling club (or any other club for that matter) but if I did I would want it to be like the one Konig Tiger described, except I would try to hold it somewhere that that guys can have a beer - which would exclude the library and especially a church I like the idea of a club being more relaxed, with only enough rules to keep it manageable. Contests would definitely not be on the agenda.

I hear all the time from modelers whose club meets in the back room of an establishment that serves liquor and the meetings tend to gravitate from modeling to consumption and nonmodeling topics quickly. Remember who your membership is or potentially could be...younger modelers and their parents might not find it a suitable location.

Not to say you can't have an occasional special event elsewhere where you can consume such items. We meet for dinner prior to our meetings and there are some who indulge in a barley pop or two with their meal. In fact we just had our summer potluck here at my place...and yes the amber beverages were allowed.

Our club has been meeting for more than 25 years...some drive 100 miles or more to attend so it must be a worthwhile thing to do. Remember a successful club is one that benefits all of its members....novice and expert, young and old alike. If you don't culture new faces then the life expectancy of the club is going to be short lived. I also hear form modelers who visit clubs where there are cliques and everything one does with or to their model is a closely guarded secret...no sharing of techniques or methodology. Again, no culturing of future interest in the hobby or the club.

I hear all the time from modelers whose club meets in the back room of an establishment that serves liquor and the meetings tend to gravitate from modeling to consumption and nonmodeling topics quickly. Remember who your membership is or potentially could be...younger modelers and their parents might not find it a suitable location.

I hear ya. I guess there's always a risk that some are not going to be able to moderate their intake. I'm in science and it's quite common to have informal science meetings (usually Fridays) where beer or wine is supplied in small amounts. There has never been any trouble since self-regulation seems to work. I would think that a bar or pub would not be a good choice, but if it's in a backroom or someone's house it would be nice to have that option.

Wow, thanks for the responses everyone!

I'm thinking that it would be relaxed and pretty loose...and would probably exclude the alcohol (I'd like to encourage all ages).  I'm actually a librarian by profession, and have thought about developing this as a program, but there are a lot of rules and limitations attached to that...I may just have this as a side thing and keep it informal.  In terms of an event, I was considering arranging for a model show at the public library in late spring...that way, I would have the benefit of showcasing the library as a forum for public events, but keep the regular meetings as a separate thing.

I think starting a club is a fantastic idea. Our hobby is dying! Promotion, and expansion is always a good idea. I joined my club (Eastern Carolina Plastic Modelers) by doing a web search. I have only been back to the hobby for a couple of years and feel that association with other modelers is essential to the expansion of my skills.

To answer your question of what to do at a model club meeting.

1. We talk about the business side (Membership in IPMS, upcoming contests, planning for our contest, recruiting new members, etc.)

2. My favorite part- the show and tell. I have a very eclectic taste in models and there are some guys that are pigeon holed into their specific interst. I absolutely love this part of our club because I meet so many modelers of different interests. I just might want to try what they are into. 

3. Interaction- Our hobby is pretty much a solitary hobby. Meeting with others who share our interests. We are not geeks, nerds and any other derogatory comment you could throw out. We are detail oriented, historically interested, and methodical. Promoting these traits today, in the world of video games and television is a lost art. So Sir I applaud you for starting a club.

Good luck to you. If you are ever in the Eastern North Carolina area please look me up.

Our website is http://www.ecpmod.com

Regards,

Brian