Any hints for starting a new club?

Hi all,

There are no chess clubs in my city where I live, and none close enough for me to go to on a regular visit. How would you recommend I start a chess club in my city?

TIA,

Nathan P.

Make posters that say, Want to join a chess club? Call something something something to join now! It is free!!

First you need a location, a public library may have a conference room available, or the park district may have a room. Then you need to advertise it in the local papers. Good luck.

I would suggest finding a bar or restaruant willing to let you hold meetings. Then there will be booze there. My chess club is great, but meets in a church, so no booze or smoking. 

Thanks for the advice!

I would also look if you can find Chessplayers on Chess.com that live in your neighbourhood and tell them you are starting a new chessclub.

Here's an idea. Go to the craigslist for Alberta and post there. You'll probably get some local feedback. I don't know what part of Alberta you live in...so here's the link and you can pick the correct one:

http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/ca/ab

The community section would probably be the best place to post.

Rent a place and do it. Advertise a bit of course.

also check with the local chess association.

http://www.albertachess.org/

The chess club where I live is held in this 'Older Adult' Center... nice place, run by the city... they let us play in there for free.

All you really need is some tables, a cheap/free area to play, and maybe a few old sets/boards to get started.. people will usually bring their own stuff but it's nice to have a 'buffer'. 

... then just advertise anywhere you can think of.

Thanks for all the advice.

I was also trying to start a club, thanks everyone for the great ideas.

Thought I'd mention I've posted my club on Chess.com here: http://www.chess.com/club/camrose-chess-club.

I once started a chess club that only met on commuter trains, but the same principle applies to that as to starting one in a particular venue.  (You can read about it HERE if you like.)

Stage one: find a venue.

As eddiewsox and rookandladder suggested there will be places available that you don't have to rent. A bar might encourage you to increase its liquor sales, but that will limit the age of your members. (I don't know the legal drinking age in Canada but in Oz we have a great number of talented young players who would be unable to play on licensed premises.) You also have the option of community centres which it may be possible to rent very cheaply but, until your club is established, remember that all the rent is going to come out of your own pocket. Church halls are another possibility -- in spite of being dry.  Sorry rookandladder! A coffee shop may also be a possibility: it would depend on whether they perceived your club as a means to increase their sales or as an unprofitable use of their facility.

Stage two: advertise.

Some advertising has to be paid for, the best kind doesn't. As publicity officer for one of the larger Sydney chess clubs I was able to get at least half a dozen stories published in the local press every year -- and every one of them ended with a statement that said, "The club meets at such-and-such every Monday night.  For further information ring so-and-so on 1234-4321."

To those of us who enjoy playing, chess is an everyday thing; it's what we do and we don't think too much about it.  In the wider community it still has a special mystique and if you present it to your local newspapers and community radio stations in the right way, you'll get your publicity.

Don't forget to leave your contact details.  Chances are that you'll have a journo on the phone wanting more information and a photo opportunity. That's what normally happens.

Good luck.

Libraries are also a possibility and community recreation centers. Schools are usually great for chess clubs, plenty of tables and chairs and if you get some students interested , chess players too. I used to go to a chess club that met in a pizza place on one of its "slow nights". They didnt charge the chess players anything but did expect them to patronize the place while there. I think you cant get more reasonable than that. The draw back was the lighting was very poor.....

I'm considering the local library. Can't go til next Wednesday to inquire, as they are probably closed tomorrow through Monday (as Monday is Thanksgiving!), and I work Tuesday.