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 Gert wrote:
Yeah because you can't control or influence every single thing within the wider hobby. You can foster an welcoming environment where people feel safe to be themselves. You can challenge bigots within the community and you don't stop fighting bigots because complacency is how they get in. That is what you can do.

I actually think you can go one step further, and actually reach-out and go to places where diverse ideas and groups are represented and then invite them to join you in the hobby. You can demo the hobby to them in their existing spaces, so they are not putting themselves at risk, you are the one showing vulnerability to them by exposing yourself to their critique. That is a very powerful statement of intent.

However, that maybe a bit too extreme for many folks. However, our hobby (of wargaming) needs to go to where the people are and try to recruit them to join us where we are; rather than waiting for people to wander into our realms. The HMGS does an Ok job at this from what I have seen, often going out to local schools and libraries to show how Wargaming can be a tool for learning. Now, imagine this concept but asking to be invited to the local GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) meeting to talk to them about wargaming, or the local AA group, or the local ELKS, or the local BLM, or the local Shriners, or the local Mormon church, etc.?

That is the next level in my mind. It is not about creating a safe space within your safe space. It is about be willing to go out into other people's safe space and inviting them to join you in yours. That is a step I have only tentatively started myself, and it is not easy and is scary to put yourself out there.

I agree outreach is a very powerful too. GW already uses it to great effect through schools programs and such in the UK and GW 100% know that if they can snare you - even just as an interest - as a kid; then there's a bigger chance that you'll go on to develop an interest in the future.


Benefit to local groups doing it over GW is that you can tap into a wider range of games to show off and demo; which can mean even more potential chance to get people into the hobby.

I also think you've got ot think a bit outside the box and not just focus on the fun hobby side. GW, again, often makes use of advertising the game to parents by showing how it can help with social skills; maths; problem solving; hand-eye skills; art; confidence etc... Basically a whole bunch of stuff that is beyond just having fun. Things that, say, parents might well respond well too.


This separation can be a big thing because it might well be the parts that get people to step over the threshold.
I think it also gives you more to talk about and engage with beyond "its fun trust me its fun" kind of approaches



Even if you don't go to them directly, targeted advertising (fliers, leaflets, talking to key social leaders); can all help when combined with general open-days or demo-days.
Days where you focus on getting as many new people through the door to demo games; see what goes on; ask questions and such.

Such events can also be popular because you can get a bunch of new people all in the door at once so they feel reinforced by having other newbies along with them.

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