Board Game organiser knowledge share

I have always aimed to share our knowledge as well learn from others so in Spring 2022 this was formalised by starting a Board Game Organiser knowledge share.

News!

In order to better store, share and collaborate we now have a discord server. This will support this website where I will do be best to store, share and categories information. Not everyone likes, will or can use social media.
https://discord.gg/Z97xkweD45 (Work in progress!)

History and minutes:

Session 1 was online February 24th
Minutes Board-Game-Organisers-knowledge-share-Feb-2022-Online.pdf (herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk)

Session 2 March 10th At Airecon
Minutes Board-game-organiser-knowledge-share-March-2022-airecon.pdf

Session 3 June 4th at the UK games expo 12:30 to 13:30
Board Game Club & Community Round Table – UK Games Expo
Draft Minutes

General Findings

Advertising
Attendance is around 50-60% compared to pre-covid numbers
Meet Up is expensive and only worth it for some clubs, normally those in a large city. There is an option to share one paid subscription between three groups or organise a wider regional meet up.
Parish/village/community magazines are good free advertising
Outreach programs at schools / fetes/ museums can work but are volunteer heavy

Maintaining membership
Dedicated greeters
Starting with social icebreaker games where players can join in like Codenames
Setting standards via a code of conduct. Clear rules are generally a positive thing.

Diversity
Removal of members as a last resort was agreed by all.  Working to find solutions including ground rules written in conjunction with the individual where appropriate.

Grants
National Lottery: Awards for All and local building firms/ supermarkets can be good places to try.
There are different levels of requirements for grants that standard game clubs may not meet i.e.  bank accounts, charters, constitutions, and accounting.
Regions often have local funding hubs with multiple grants and schemes.


Beginners and being inclusive.
Build a culture, games library, dedicated greeters, clear signage, not starting long games straight away.

Venues
Always a challenge, pubs/ restaurants can offer free room use but it appears harder post covid.

To do
Grants how to!
Social Media How to
Running Charity events including getting sponsorship

Herefordshire Board Gamers Policies
https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/policies/

Herefordshire Boardgamers guides:
https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/mental-health-and-communities/
https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/what/how-to-run-a-great-games-night/
https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/what/tips-for-running-a-games-club/
https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/what/howtoteachgames/

https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/welcome-area-beginner-games/

https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/guides/best-games-for-beginners/

External Resources
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoardGameClubOrganisers

Other resources
https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information-category/organising-events-and-activities (Good range or resources and templates)
https://communitymatters.org.uk/
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/2019/introductory-guide-safeguarding-child-protection