Starting a new carving club

[PeterG]

There is no carving club in our area. We have a Wood Carving Museum that is supported by many local carvers - but no club. I have talked to a few carvers in the area and many would like to see a club formed. I have never belonged to a carving club before and am curious. What makes a good club? How often should meetings be held.
Another carver & I are considering trying to start a new club. Tell me the good and the bad of your club! Or tell me what your ideal club might look/work like.
I'm interested to see all your responses.

Thanks,
Peter
Windsor, ON

[pallin]

One of the first steps is to clarify the purpose(s) for forming a woodcarving club. To help beginning carvers through instruction? A social group for experienced carvers to sit, carve and chat? Something else? All of the above? Our local club seems to do all of the above. To help beginners you need some members qualified and able to teach others. Then there are the matters of space, frequency, telling the public about your club, etc. There is a lot of non-carving work to make it happen.

[bbowers]

Our club meets weekly- every Thursday from 7-9pm at the local Senior Center. They allow us to meet there for free. We charge $25 dues for the year & usually give 1/3 of that back to the Senior Center to say thank you. Much like Phil's club we cater to both new & long time carvers. We encourage long time carvers to offer a mini class for beginners or some special project, but other wise we all carve & help each other at the same time. Annually we hold a weekend carve & show. We carve both days & also display completed carvings. We invite the public using press releases to all local media. It has been a good event to share with friends & family but also seems to bring out a few potential carvers every year.
We are pretty casual operation wise & it seems to work well.
Good luck with your new group!