Starting a Go Club

[Apoah]

I live in a very small rural town (less than 2000 people). I have been considering putting an ad in the local paper about Go and my interest in starting a small club.

I thought I would ask first if anyone had any suggestions about the best way to start a go club. Maybe someone has learned some good lessons they can pass on?

I've specifically been struggling with the wording of the article.

Thoughts and Suggestions?

[Chew Terr]

I would recommend just finding a venue (like a book store/coffee shop), inviting anyone you know might be interested, then put up a flier on the venue window/tackboard if they let you. Posting it a week in advance might help "Learn how to play the ancient board game of go, Tuesdays at 6 starting 2/22!". All I can think of, though.

[topazg]

Easy to pick up > complex/complicated game - something you can pick up in 5 minutes is a real selling point.

Socially interactive value is important - Can (and, IMO should!) play at local pub/bar/venue of common public meetingness, so arranging a club there is good if you can. Most places are happy because it will increase their business too.

Also, check out:

http://www.britgo.org/about.html
http://www.britgo.org/intro/intro1.html
http://britgo.org/ (page intro)

[Magicwand]

make sure you recruit young people.
they are easier to recruit and will bring more friends later.

how about Pyrimid?
you will have to pay $20 lifetime membership.
and you can get them back if you bring 2 new members.($10 each)
rest of money will go to the club.
dont take me too seriously..it is just a thought

[BaghwanB]

usgo.org also has some decent posters you can print out on 8.5"x11" to put up. I've found them to be a good quick visual.

The coffeshop/bookstore type plan has worked for me. Might be tough in a town that small if you can't get to word out to a broader area, but just make sure someone is there at "club time" on a consistent basis and if there are interested people in town, they'll find you. Also see if local papers run free event listings. I've gotten a little mileage out of that as well.

Bruce "Recruiting Office" Young

[deathgod]

I don't know how it works whereever you life, but in Germany/North-Rhine-Westphalia the Go Federation sponsors all new clubs and school clubs with boards, stones and bowls (sometimes clocks as well). Perhaps your local Go Federation also has something like that?

[Phelan]

See http://senseis.xmp.net/?path=Club&page=SettingUpAGoClub

[stalkor]

try the local chess club if there is one and offer them an introduction to go.

[LocoRon]

Oh man, that's an even smaller town than the one I was living in for a couple years after learning about Go (it was population ~4500, I think).

You're definitely stronger than I was then, which will be both good and bad I think....

All the people I tried to recruit were scared away, because they could never beat me, so I suggest trying to get several people at a time, so they can play each other. If you're their only opponent, you might end up scaring them away. :/ But if they can play with others, they would hopefully motivate them more.

You might also have some luck with just a general board games club, and then push your Go-agenda after you've caught some interest.