Starting up a new local model group

lenny100 · July 30, 2010, 08:06:20 AM

I have been asked to see if it is possible to start up from scratch a local modelling group.
Now i know it can be a lot of work, so I am asking you if you have any ideas on good practice to keep the group from imploding while things start up and if anybody has a good set of club rules ect. would be welcome also
The club at the moment will welcome all who make scale models no matter what they are made from, even the train modellers will be welcome.

Hobbes · July 30, 2010, 08:31:31 AM

the easiest option could be a local IPMS chapter (if that's possible).

lenny100 · July 30, 2010, 10:18:15 AM

Quote from: Hobbes on July 30, 2010, 08:31:31 AM
the easiest option could be a local IPMS chapter (if that's possible).

would be something i would recommend once the group is up in running just to help in enjoyment to get people displaying at shows, and even putting on a show of our own small at first but who knows what the future holds .their is no group in east durham that i know off, the nearest are the middlesbough and the newcastle groups and of course there is the washington group also so i dont think i be stepping on anybodys toes, if this group goes ahead, unless somebody out there knows difrently

Mossie · July 30, 2010, 11:21:39 AM

It's something I've thought about doing as the nearest club to me is about an hours drive away, doable, but a little far. I don't even know anybody else locally who's a modeller so I wouldn't know how to start.

Ed S · July 30, 2010, 12:36:24 PM

You might put an announcement in the various modeling forums (ARC, Hyperscale, Modeling Madness, Britmodeler, etc.) asking if anyone lives in your area and would be interesting in starting or joining a local model club. I suspect that a fair number of modelers aren't affiliated with a local club.

Ed

Radish · July 30, 2010, 01:43:50 PM

I started and ran a local IPMS branch at Burton around 15 years ago.....we had a core of modellers "imported" from IPMS Stafford which helped set an atmosphere. Anything was welcome, including trains, etc., but after about 3 years the membership drifted for various reasons, so I knocked it on the head. Another group started last year, but again, failed.
Many modellers prefer to model in isolation.
Despite Burton supporting (at the time TWO model shops) there was never enough support for a club.

Martin H · July 30, 2010, 01:59:43 PM

Here's prety much how those of us who formed the Bedford & District model club got off the ground 7 years ago

1. find out the local demand for a club. (sounds like you have already done that bit anyway)

2. Once you have a few people to start up, find a venue to meet, and decide when you will meet, and how often.

3. elect a small commitee to handle the day to day running of the club. At the same time find a suitable name for the club. Chairman, secretary and treasurer are all you need to get going. Later you can add more roles as and when needed.

4. the commitee draft a simple consitution/rules. they then take the draft to the rest of the membership to discuss and vote on. Keep it simple, it doesnt need to be a massive document. just enougth to cover the clubs back side in a legal sence.
If any of the membership are also members of clubs in other hobbies or sports, see if they can let you have a look at their consitution to give you an idea of how to word yours. (we prety much copied the local model train clubs document with a few tweaks here and there)
The real fly in the ointment here is weather you decide to have junior members (under 18's). If yes. It is advisable to find at least one member who is willing to be CRB checked to take up the role of Child protection officer. A lot of Clubs are saying no to junior memebers as a result. But in the long run, the kids are the key to this hobbies long term survival. Also, If you find some one who has already been CRB'ed. great but the checks will have to be performed again anyway. Its one check per organisation, its not transferable. and its not cheap.

5. the commitee also work out how much to charge in the way of subs and how the sytem will work. IE a charge every meeting or a yearly membership or a mix of both. Again the final decision is put to a full vote.

6. publisity. Once up and running the club will need to recruit more members to survive. The local paper's club news section and the local model shop are quite usefull, also the local libary usualy have a clubs notice bord.

7. enjoy it. and try to avoid internal politics.

im sure others will add to this. It all helps

lenny100 · July 30, 2010, 02:33:53 PM

Quote from: Martin H on July 30, 2010, 01:59:43 PM
Here's prety much how those of us who formed the Bedford & District model club got off the ground 7 years ago

1. find out the local demand for a club. (sounds like you have already done that bit anyway)

done that or should i say the others who approached me did that before they contacted me because they knew that i was active going around shows etc.

2. Once you have a few people to start up, find a venue to meet, and decide when you will meet, and how often.

we have a venue "the local salvation army " who are giving us the room for a year at a peppercorn rent

3. elect a small commitee to handle the day to day running of the club. At the same time find a suitable name for the club. Chairman, secretary and treasurer are all you need to get going. Later you can add more roles as and when needed.

have to talk to the others

4. the commitee draft a simple consitution/rules. they then take the draft to the rest of the membership to discuss and vote on. Keep it simple, it doesnt need to be a massive document. just enougth to cover the clubs back side in a legal sence.
If any of the membership are also members of clubs in other hobbies or sports, see if they can let you have a look at their consitution to give you an idea of how to word yours. (we prety much copied the local model train clubs document with a few tweaks here and there)
The real fly in the ointment here is weather you decide to have junior members (under 18's). If yes. It is advisable to find at least one member who is willing to be CRB checked to take up the role of Child protection officer. A lot of Clubs are saying no to junior memebers as a result. But in the long run, the kids are the key to this hobbies long term survival. Also, If you find some one who has already been CRB'ed. great but the checks will have to be performed again anyway. Its one check per organisation, its not transferable. and its not cheap.

well a few of the people including myself are enhanced crb , some because of the job they do or like myself are certified event stewards, so were halfway their and their is grants in the area to get crb done if we have over a certain number of under 16 in the club

5. the commitee also work out how much to charge in the way of subs and how the sytem will work. IE a charge every meeting or a yearly membership or a mix of both. Again the final decision is put to a full vote.

thanks never though about subs etc. that's why i asked for advice

6. publisity. Once up and running the club will need to recruit more members to survive. The local paper's club news section and the local model shop are quite usefull, also the local libary usualy have a clubs notice bord.

alass the last local model shop has just become yet another shop to close down with no notice in the area so we are now haveing to travel to modelzone in newcastle. but i am sure the local libarys will put up a poster once we up and runing

7. enjoy it. and try to avoid internal politics.

that's the hard part, trying to keep people in the view that this is a fun hobie for all, and they were starters with inch thick paint on their airfix spitfires also.

im sure others will add to this. It all helps

Martin H · July 30, 2010, 02:52:00 PM

welcome all abilitys. Encourage the rookies and control those who want to allow their ego to rule the roost. Every body is the same...a modeller.

raafif · July 30, 2010, 08:24:15 PM

make sure you get at least 5guys willing to help run the club -- open up venue, organise tea / coffee etc.

Displays are great but also take organising a venue, (hobby)shop window space, theme or kits to show.

DON'T become a baby-sitter for parents out on the town -- you may end up taking the kid home or to the polce station !!

nev · July 30, 2010, 11:18:07 PM

Quote from: Mossie on July 30, 2010, 11:21:39 AM
It's something I've thought about doing as the nearest club to me is about an hours drive away, doable, but a little far.

I'm in the same boat as you Simon, nearest branch is IPMS Lincoln, and I just don't have the time (or energy) to spare these days to justify that.

Mossie · July 31, 2010, 03:29:58 AM

Yeah, mine is IPMS Bridlington & Wolds, which would make it a two hour round trip on club nights. Just makes it difficult to arrange. There's not one in Hull suprisingly, I knew of a guy on another forum (the only other modeller in Hull that I know about, maybe that's the problem!) years back who went to a Model Railway Club as they were quite inclusive & he learnt a lot about scenery modelling & got some great dios together.

Aircav · July 31, 2010, 04:55:44 AM

I know we could do with a modelling club where I am in the Crook/Bishop Auckland area of Durham.

Radish · July 31, 2010, 05:12:16 AM

Good luck with your venture.

Make sure you put "Scale Modelling" in the title, as with just "modelling" you might end up with some very strange characters....

beowulf · July 31, 2010, 05:16:47 AM

best of luck with it all...................i got no clubs that i know of in my immediate area...........i think the closest is about 25 mile away (an ipms branch with only 6 members!)....if there was one closer i would certainly support it