Forming a Chess Club

I am thinking of forming a local chess club.  Right now, there is a chess club about 20 miles away, but there are no chess clubs in the suburb where I live.  The suburb where I live does have a "chess school" but it is only for children K-12.  There are no events for adults.  

I want to form a chess club that has some programs for adults.  The chess club could also offer some programs for children, as there are many children in my community.

I have some questions about forming a chess club, and I would appreciate it if you would give me some help.  My questions are as follows:

1. How did you start your chess club?  (This is an open-ended question.  I am interested in the process of forming a chess club, and any light you could shed on that would be great.)

2. Where did your chess club meet?

3. How do you find people to join your chess club?  What marketing techniques did you use?  What groups did you reach out to?  How did you reach out to them?

4. How long did it take for you to form a chess club?  

5. What sorts of programs did your chess club offer?

6. What equipment or supplies do you need to start a chess club?  

7. What were the sources of funding for your chess club?

8. What is the biggest challenge you faced when forming a chess club?

I'm in the same boat. I'm also looking for advice. Thank you for posting this.

go to the club you know 20 miles away talk to the chairman or secretary they have gone through starting up a club and can offer good answers

funding ,why not combine with the youth chess club local this could open up funding for youth development ask those who work with youth about this

advertising local media also take the club to one off school days with the intent to spot new players to form an after school chess club this will be well supported by your local educational facilities

contact your local chess federation see if they will advertise your club on their website this may take affiliation

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

subscribe. Later will give an extended answer.

About my chess club in a town (Aurora, ON, Canada) close to the mega-city (Toronto):
1. A long story short version: it took more than one person to pull the train. It started in the pub, moved to the library, and finally to the high school.
2. High school cafeteria
3. As it grew not exactly from zero (see #1) it was easier to invite players to the first official club meeting. Several articles in the local newspaper. Word of mouth. I think we got about ~20 players the first time including the mayor of the town.
4. ~1.5 years (see #1)
5. 3 main activities – a serious CFC (Canadian Federation) rated chess, rapid with blitz, 2 simuls per year (1 with IM, other with NM – me LOL), and casual chess. At the end of the first year we were brave enough to organize the first Open (weekend) tournament (~90 people). The second year 2 tournaments have already finished, and two are planned in summer and fall. The main guy was smart enough to obtain the FIDE license what get us on the FIDE rated charts LOL
6. At the beginning – “bring your own”, later collected fees and donations allowed to get required quantity of sets and clocks.
7. Fees, donations, and sponsorships.
8. Will anybody come the next time LOL

The counting person (treasurer) told that we have active 67 members at this moment. The all genders and ages are served.
Interested persons might visit the webpage http://www.aurorachessclub.ca

Could you please explain why you think it is difficult to set up a chess club in the modern era?

Also, while I want my chess club to have programs for adults, I am by no means ruling out programs for children - after school programs, etc.

bump

Looking for your honest answer:

Are adults generally interested in over-the-board chess?  Or is it really more a thing for kids?

Note: I am just referring to casual chess, not tournaments.

Adults are busy with life events it's hard to justify outside of a tournament for many I find. I'd like to set up monthly tournaments in my area sometime though, where you play a game or two a week that lasts a month or so...

OTB: everyobdy is interested but reasons are different:

young kids - mostly parents get them involved, as they see chess as educational tool

teens - hang around and move pieces. Some are more serious to get into chess study.

adults - hobby

seniors - use it or lose it (brainwise)

OTB gives communication/friendship feeling before and after the game.

So, I founded the chess club.  Any way I could post something about it on chess.com?

Congrats.

You could create a club's groups at chess.com.