"Club Recruiting " Topic

Those of you in clubs, do you try to recruit 'new blood' into your group? Our club doesn't actually turn away interested parties, however I think we prefer our close knit group of those who have been with us the past 10 years opposed to new comers who usually don't quite fit in.
I was just wondering if others feel similar.

We still haven't been able to kick you out, but since you are one of the founders, that would not be fair.

Hey now……I bring culture,comic relief,wisdom…..Most important, I fill your beer mug!

If by culture you mean the furry bits under the table…

Eric

Our group in Delaware is looking for new people. We have a core group but are always willing to get new people involved. We get low turn out at times due to obligations or if there is little interest in some of the rules to be used that week.

We average 6 members on a regular basis but hit the 8-10 level depending on the game.
Eric, those furry bits are either future pets for John, or he attmepting to create a more realistic sasquatch for GASLIGHT games.
Don't forget the flag, a silver mug on a field of azure. Just don't fly it upside down.

@SharkSix- Do you game at a members house where you can accomodate more members?

We (WAR) pull in a lot of new members in from putting on a show and demo games local events but a good club web site also helps .It seams to work as most club nights we can have 60/70 club members attending and with a influx of new members drop outs are at a minimum .
link

Most clubs I know are open to new gamers but usually do not have them in the "inner" circle until they are better known. AoCM does games at a store and most folk meet there for the first time or so.

VR
James Mattes

We game at my house. Have had max, 10 gamers at a time. I think it would be crowded with more. I try to find new members as people move away or get caught up in work. I get one day a month to game at the moment, but hope that will increase as my son gets older. We have 4 regular players at the moment. I have tried looking for others to join, but I find that a lot of folks are too busy in the northern virginia area to make it all the time.

Still, I hope a few more folks might join the group next year.

I've found a lot of wargames clubs struggle to integrate new members. Vojvoda has mentioned the "inner circle" but how do you get to be in that inner circle unless you're regularly gaming at that club and how do you get to regularly game if you don't know people and the stalwarts don't invite you into their games?

In my opinion, based on the clubs I've been involved with over the years, a club has two choices: Be a closed circuit with few, but trusted members and not worry about recruiting or else have an all are welcome policy but back it up with getting new members actively involved and introducing them to other gamers within the club. The problem is when you have a club that notionally wants new members but does nothing to make them welcome…not just on the first night…but over the first 3 months so they can get to meet and game with a variety of people before becoming part of the furniture.

Our group is always looking for new folks and sometimes you get someone who doesn't fit, but when it works it adds a nice depth and new perspective to the group they may have interests you wouldn't have tried gaming before.
John
Southern Maryland Wargaming Club (yahoo group smwc1)

I keep hearing on TMP about new members who "don't fit" but what does that mean? Disruptive? Argumentative? Utter weirdo? They don't do the kind of games we do? My main club will only turn away people who break club rules by being disruptive or damaging the property. It never bars or cold shoulders anyone whose personality isn't an exact fit with the regulars. Personally, I think that's a good thing.