I'm sponsoring a RPG club at my school....now what?

[Wolfspider]

Well, one of my long time dreams has come true. I've been asked to be the faculty sponsor of an RPG club that's being started at the community college where I work. I've got about 6 or 7 interested students right now, and I'm hoping to find more recruits.

So, what now?

I thought I would turn to the collective wisdom of the ENWorld community for suggestions on how to find more members, keep the group together once it's started, what kind of activities to plan...anything, really.

So, what do you think?

Thanks.

 

[JoeGKushner]

There are several options you have at this point.

1. Newsletter: This lets people know you exist and helps keep people who want to participate but can't all the time updated and in the loop.

2. Living Events: There are several Living settings right now including Erde, Kalamar, Greyhawk, Star Wars, and others. The benefits include being part of osmething larger, as well as getting to own some 'cool' modules for RPGA events.

3. Decide what the goal of this organization is. Is it to provide a place to play on college grounds? Is it to act as a networking community for RPGers? Is it to sponsor game day events at stores?

 

[alsih2o]

collect dues and run for the islands!! mwuhahaha

 

[bolen]

Let me guess: you are not in the south?

well no it says Ky so I wonder how well it will do after the ultra-right hears of it. Keep us informed.

 

[Mistwell]

Let me guess: you are not in the south?

well no it says Ky so I wonder how well it will do after the ultra-right hears of it. Keep us informed.

Myth.

First, it is not always the right (much less the ultra-right) that does this stuff. This is the south, composed primarily of "Reagan democrats". That is a group of people that waiver depending on the issue between the parties. Religious? Often. Right-wing? Not so much.

Second, I think it is a myth that this is still a common happenstance. Did it happen a lot in the 70's? Sure. Is it common now? I don't think so. It's truly the exception, rather than the rule, that this kind of thing still happens.

Warning someone that this is going to happen, and that it is a reason to not start such a group, is not a wise thing to do if we wish to encourage RPG's everyone.

I'm very happy the poster has started an RPG club. 7 people is a good start. One more person and you can have two games going. I would say go post something in the theatre department first. Then post in some of the more creative-oriented sections of campus - music, art, etc... Then speech communications, perhaps history and political science. Go through the liberal arts departments first, and probably end with the sciences (not that people in the sciences don't play, just going off of percentage-based odds guessing here).

 

[MasterOfHeaven]

I've known plenty of liberals that dislike/hate D&D just as much as the conservative types. Politics really has little to do with whether or not you like, dislike, or hate D&D.

 

[Drawmack]

The first thing that I would do is pick a game and start a campaign. On top of that a newletter is a good idea. If it's a sanctioned club by the school then you could advertise it around the campus in the school paper and through flyers. Set up a web-site and possibly your own message boards. Getting involved in one of the living campaigns is a great idea, and depending on the experience of those in the club you might even want to consider deisging your own setting/game. The most important thing is make sure that everyone in the club has fun and don't intrude on their studies. If your members are enjoying the club they will tell others and word of mouth is the best promotion. You could also get involvement from the start and ask them what they want to do with the club.

 

[bolen]

that was a joke folks.

 

[Wanderer At Dusk]

Make sure that you find at least one other capable DM, you will undoubtably need another person to run a game if it becomes popular.
Ok we have a roleplaying club in my high school and it has surged to 20 additional people, we are the largest club in the school aside from the sports teams, we are now in the cafeteria. More people are going to join i'm positive. It started off as just Dnd 3e but we changed it to roleplaying so hopefully we get another person to take some of these people away, there are only 3 DMs. Anyone have any advice on getting rid of people?

 

[bolen]

How clicky is high school now. I know when I went (waaay back) joining a RPG club would have been a sure way to make sure you don't have a date on sat night.

Has High school changed this much that folks who play D&D are not labled outcasts?