Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey guys,

As some of you may know, I am presently in the process of developing my own gaming club. We're, in essence, just set up and still very much in the early days when it comes to 'policies' for how the club is run.

I will list below some of our policies, for you guys to critique, and maybe to let you guys suggest your own. You know, from your experiences - what works and what doesn't

Anyway! Onto policies;

- A relatively strict 18+ environment : This is mainly to provide an environment free of little kiddies that can be frustrating to many gamers (we've all been in a GW store where a kid has been picking up models etc). This is not to say we have an elitist attitude, nor do we not appreciate how important it is to get kids into wargaming - it's more to add an entirely more comfortable dimension to our club. This is also not to say that 'kids' can't play war gamers - we all know they can very well! - it's purely an environmental choice.

- Having a 'probationary period' for potential members : We all know that one guy at the game store who fights with EVERYONE over nothing, throws dice, jumps on his models or is generally unpleasant to play with. In essence, we want to have a 'probationary period' of a fortnight or so of gatherings so that committee members can observe their behaviour when interacting with other members to make sure that they do not bring negativity to the club. The last thing we want is to have members not attending club sessions because of one unpleasant person.

- Having a 'loyalty agreement' : Essentially, as a club, we wish to make a name for ourselves in our area and become well known in the tournament circuit. Here is where the 'loyalty agreement' comes into account; each member (upon joining as a full member) must sign a loyalty agreement to the club, agreeing to participate in tournaments ONLY as a team member of our club's team. Individual entering is okay, however joining on behalf of other teams or other clubs will not be accepted and will result in expulsion from the club.
This is there to provide security for all players; loyalty is important in a team and competing against us on behalf of another team or organisation will not be tolerated.

Some of the other policies are pretty standard (I believe): all systems are welcomed, proxies are allowed (to the extent that they are WYSIWYG and it is clear to your opponent what represents what) and generally maintaining a good attitude to uphold the club.

We aren't trying to have 'the biggest club', we trying to have a great club, with great people, that actively participate in all facets of the hobby.

Let me know your suggestions etc!

EDIT: Should also mention, our club is located in Adelaide, Australia. If you're interested in joining, shoot us an email at; harlequinhalls@gmail.com OR like our Facebook page at; https://www.facebook.com/HarlequinHallsChapter

~Ghost

GhostxHeart wrote:- A relatively strict 18+ environment : This is mainly to provide an environment free of little kiddies that can be frustrating to many gamers (we've all been in a GW store where a kid has been picking up models etc). This is not to say we have an elitist attitude, nor do we not appreciate how important it is to get kids into wargaming - it's more to add an entirely more comfortable dimension to our club. This is also not to say that 'kids' can't play war gamers - we all know they can very well! - it's purely an environmental choice.

This is a terrible policy. I started when I was 8 and my brother 11. My friends started when they were around 13-14. If stores kicked us out based on age, we wouldn't have even bothered. I'd wager a lot of people even just on these boards started with they were young as well. I've also played against plenty of older people who were worse to play against than kids. The worst I've had with kids was them being overly enthusiastic (their kids, it's what they do). The worst I've had from a 'mature adult gamer' was outright cheating against me, which was held up in a tournament by the fething store owner.

Quit it with the 'must be an adult because we're better' gak.

There are only a few bottom lines needed for a group:

Be polite and be friendly
Play for fun and by the rules, no matter how stupid they may be sometimes
Above all else, keep yourself to a higher than normal standard

Age doesn't matter, in fact the only thing that really matters is if someone smells or how they act really. If they smell, apply fa-breeze.

-Loki- wrote:

GhostxHeart wrote:- A relatively strict 18+ environment : This is mainly to provide an environment free of little kiddies that can be frustrating to many gamers (we've all been in a GW store where a kid has been picking up models etc). This is not to say we have an elitist attitude, nor do we not appreciate how important it is to get kids into wargaming - it's more to add an entirely more comfortable dimension to our club. This is also not to say that 'kids' can't play war gamers - we all know they can very well! - it's purely an environmental choice.

This is a terrible policy. I started when I was 8 and my brother 11. My friends started when they were around 13-14. If stores kicked us out based on age, we wouldn't have even bothered. I'd wager a lot of people even just on these boards started with they were young as well. I've also played against plenty of older people who were worse to play against than kids. The worst I've had with kids was them being overly enthusiastic (their kids, it's what they do). The worst I've had from a 'mature adult gamer' was outright cheating against me, which was held up in a tournament by the fething store owner.

Quit it with the 'must be an adult because we're better' gak.

Calm you farm bro.

I suggest reading what I've written as you clearly haven't.

As stated; this policy is not to say that kids can't play, it is purely an environmental choice. When you're hanging out with mates, it is our wish that we can provide an environment that doesn't require censored language, edited activities etc. There is also the matter of kids getting to club events and such. If club nights don't finish till 11pm, I don't want it to be the responsibility of club members to take kids home etc.
This has NOTHING to do with children having the ability to game, nor the ability to play in a mature environment. It's everything that goes along with it that brings up issues that we would rather do without.

As for 'bad' adult opponents; it's an unfortunate situation you found yourself in but that doesn't bear relevance when you understand that we have a probationary period policy to ensure that we only have pleasant members to play with. Yet again - read before you speak so you don't look like a complete fool

~Ghost

GhostxHeart wrote:

-Loki- wrote:

GhostxHeart wrote:- A relatively strict 18+ environment : This is mainly to provide an environment free of little kiddies that can be frustrating to many gamers (we've all been in a GW store where a kid has been picking up models etc). This is not to say we have an elitist attitude, nor do we not appreciate how important it is to get kids into wargaming - it's more to add an entirely more comfortable dimension to our club. This is also not to say that 'kids' can't play war gamers - we all know they can very well! - it's purely an environmental choice.

This is a terrible policy. I started when I was 8 and my brother 11. My friends started when they were around 13-14. If stores kicked us out based on age, we wouldn't have even bothered. I'd wager a lot of people even just on these boards started with they were young as well. I've also played against plenty of older people who were worse to play against than kids. The worst I've had with kids was them being overly enthusiastic (their kids, it's what they do). The worst I've had from a 'mature adult gamer' was outright cheating against me, which was held up in a tournament by the fething store owner.

Quit it with the 'must be an adult because we're better' gak.

Calm you farm bro.

I suggest reading what I've written as you clearly haven't.

As stated; this policy is not to say that kids can't play, it is purely an environmental choice. When you're hanging out with mates, it is our wish that we can provide an environment that doesn't require censored language, edited activities etc. There is also the matter of kids getting to club events and such. If club nights don't finish till 11pm, I don't want it to be the responsibility of club members to take kids home etc.
This has NOTHING to do with children having the ability to game, nor the ability to play in a mature environment. It's everything that goes along with it that brings up issues that we would rather do without.

As for 'bad' adult opponents; it's an unfortunate situation you found yourself in but that doesn't bear relevance when you understand that we have a probationary period policy to ensure that we only have pleasant members to play with. Yet again - read before you speak so you don't look like a complete fool

~Ghost

Edited activities? What is your gaming group doing? And I'm fairly certain that kids these days know more foul language than you could ever hope to learn. Maybe you should apply this 'probationary period' to younger gamers? You might be surprised. If they're so young you think you need to take responsibility for them, take it up with the parents who are assuming you're a daycare centre. There's ways around these kinds of issues without having an over 18 policy.

I just find it really stupid that you want to keep it 'strictly adult' when all you're doing it meeting up to push some toy soldiers around the table and have a chat.

-Loki- wrote:

Edited activities? What is your gaming group doing? And I'm fairly certain that kids these days know more foul language than you could ever hope to learn. Maybe you should apply this 'probationary period' to younger gamers? You might be surprised. If they're so young you think you need to take responsibility for them, take it up with the parents who are assuming you're a daycare centre. There's ways around these kinds of issues without having an over 18 policy.

I just find it really stupid that you want to keep it 'strictly adult' when all you're doing it meeting up to push some toy soldiers around the table and have a chat.

Alright, lets talk about the legal implications of being open to having children in an incorporated association that is affiliated with a univeristy with a legal identity shall we? And this is the bare minimum;

All members interacting with those under 18 (thats right ALL), have to undergo a screening process and police check to ensure they are 'kiddy friendly'. Following this, should these people have blemishes on their record (such as larger traffic infringements, perhaps an old drug offence from when THEY were a kid etc), the kid has to have a signed note from the parent or guardian per member giving them permission to interact.

Aside from this, we have to fork out insurance etc which, as a free club with no fees, is pretty hard to deal with.

And, regardless of parenting, there will be many instances where it will be the clubs moral duty to take a kid home, or whatever and again this is not a liability we want to have on the club.

I think you're missing the whole point. This has nothing to do with an elitist attitude if you care to open your mind and use the two remaining IQ points you have left. This has everything to do with legal implications, members who aren't keen on playing with kids (for whatever reason; I can't speak for them) and providing an adult environment where mummies and daddies won't come yelling with a lawyer because our members smoke, drink and cuss around kiddies. This is not a moral debate of what kids do or don't do these days - we're not that blind - this all really hearkens back to potential grounds for legal litigation that we could do without.

~Ghost

I'm fine with the 18+ policy.

My club meets in a licensed venue though, so it's a requirement of the venue, more than anything else (you have to pass through the gaming and/or bar areas to get to our room, and <18s are not permitted to do either.)

The other activities that my club engage in are the consumption of sundry foamy alcoholic beverages whilst pushing our toy soldiers around.

It's a gaming club - not a creche. The GW in town serves that other purpose adequately enough.

Besides, most of the "kids" (under 18s) who used to play at our club, dropped out from one of the various reasons the hobby ALWAYS loses these people between the ages of 17 and 22.
To whit:
School, sex, cars, booze and combinations and permutations of all of the above.

They might come back when they are 22 or so and they will be welcomed back as long lost brothers.

Edit: When the club was formerly located at the local PCYC (community centre), ALL adult members had to be PCYC volunteers, pass a background check (working with children) and be first aid trained.

Do you know what first aid training entails for people that work around children? Calling their parents and getting them to take their little dears to the ER (if they were conscious). Due to various state and federal medico-legal issues, we were not allowed to actually perform first aid upon them unless they were unconscious.

Around 18+ it's a lot simpler.

chromedog wrote:I'm fine with the 18+ policy.

My club meets in a licensed venue though, so it's a requirement of the venue, more than anything else (you have to pass through the gaming and/or bar areas to get to our room, and <18s are not permitted to do either.)

The other activities that my club engage in are the consumption of sundry foamy alcoholic beverages whilst pushing our toy soldiers around.

It's a gaming club - not a creche. The GW in town serves that other purpose adequately enough.

Besides, most of the "kids" (under 18s) who used to play at our club, dropped out from one of the various reasons the hobby ALWAYS loses these people between the ages of 17 and 22.
To whit:
School, sex, cars, booze and combinations and permutations of all of the above.

They might come back when they are 22 or so and they will be welcomed back as long lost brothers.

Thankyou sir for eloquently taking the words from my mind and putting them up for everyone to see! Haha!
We sit in the same boat as your club it seems, and I wish people weren't so damn quick to judge what they see on the surface.

~Ghost

My thoughts. I've included a few questions in bold.

GhostxHeart wrote:
- A relatively strict 18+ environment : This is mainly to provide an environment free of little kiddies that can be frustrating to many gamers (we've all been in a GW store where a kid has been picking up models etc). This is not to say we have an elitist attitude, nor do we not appreciate how important it is to get kids into wargaming - it's more to add an entirely more comfortable dimension to our club. This is also not to say that 'kids' can't play war gamers - we all know they can very well! - it's purely an environmental choice.

Good idea. Take out the "relatively" though. Either be 18+ or not, but if you start waffling, it will be a very hard rule to enforce. The one exception might be that under 18 guests are allowed one-per-member, must be signed in/out by that member and that member is responsible for their behavior.

Q. What is the venue, how often is it available for club meetings?

GhostxHeart wrote:
- Having a 'probationary period' for potential members : We all know that one guy at the game store who fights with EVERYONE over nothing, throws dice, jumps on his models or is generally unpleasant to play with. In essence, we want to have a 'probationary period' of a fortnight or so of gatherings so that committee members can observe their behaviour when interacting with other members to make sure that they do not bring negativity to the club. The last thing we want is to have members not attending club sessions because of one unpleasant person.

Very good idea. I'm part of a LEGO Train club and all members have a time where they participate before being accepted. Gives the group time to decide whether they want to be around that member.

Q: Are new members accepted by default (if no one objects) or are they voted in by existing members?

GhostxHeart wrote:
- Having a 'loyalty agreement' : Essentially, as a club, we wish to make a name for ourselves in our area and become well known in the tournament circuit. Here is where the 'loyalty agreement' comes into account; each member (upon joining as a full member) must sign a loyalty agreement to the club, agreeing to participate in tournaments ONLY as a team member of our club's team. Individual entering is okay, however joining on behalf of other teams or other clubs will not be accepted and will result in expulsion from the club.
This is there to provide security for all players; loyalty is important in a team and competing against us on behalf of another team or organisation will not be tolerated.

This is a terrible idea. If you want to have a special "Club Team" that agrees to represent the club and agree to only play for the club, that's fine. If you want to have a byline that members not on the Club Team not represent the club at events that's fine too, but limiting your club members to only playing on your team smacks of over-reaching. Whether or not they play for your club, attracting members from other clubs and teams to your group will only enrich your club.

GhostxHeart wrote:
Some of the other policies are pretty standard (I believe): all systems are welcomed, proxies are allowed (to the extent that they are WYSIWYG and it is clear to your opponent what represents what) and generally maintaining a good attitude to uphold the club.

The Proxy rule is questionable. This is a grey area. Perhaps a better rule would be that an opponent always has the right to refuse to play against a proxy.

Q. Why would you want to be telling two members they can't sit down and proxy whatever they want if they argree to it?

Best of luck with the club and keep us posted on how it works out!

My club has been together for like 50+ years, but I've only been with em for about 10.

Pretty much everyone but maybe 1 or 2 is over 30. Those that aren't are upper 20's. There's no real 18+ rule, and there have been younger folks who joined in for a game day or 2, but I think they got turned off because we're all old people who talk about grown up things like houses and wives and bbq and beer. OK those last 2 are all fun for all ages, but still.

We only meet 1 saturday a month. The founding member had a big basement where we had 4 tables squeezed in. We have another member who has an even bigger basement and have since moved there almost exclusively, only using the other basement if he can't host now. For food he'll grill up a bunch of animal flesh for us and we all pitch in like $5, or we'll order a lot of pizza. Everyone also brings communal junk food, soda and/or booze.

Most people in the club are Fantasy players, in fact I never played Fantasy at all till I joined em. There's a lot of 40K though too, and Warmachine is finally starting to catch on thanks to an escalation league we just started. There's other stuff too here and there, FOW sometimes, and BFG, and we've had an ongoing Mordheim campaign pretty much forever.

It's not an exclusive club or anything like that, but usually a new member that joins us is a friend of another member, or if someone finds us over the internets someone in the club will meet em for a game first just to make sure they aren't mean and/or crazy.

So if you're starting a club and you want it to last... my advice is to keep it fun and relaxed. You can have rules but don't set them in stone. Like for example if you want 18+, but you have an older member who wants to bring his 13 year old son to play too, then let him. The only real rule you should have is everyone needs to have fun.

Eilif wrote:

Q. What is the venue, how often is it available for club meetings?

Sounds like you've really given this alot of thought. My one real concern was the "don't play against us" thing and as it seems to be limited to the club tournament team, that is more than reasonable.

4 tables, free membership, and twice a week gaming, I wish there was a club like this when I was in college!

Eilif wrote:Sounds like you've really given this alot of thought. My one real concern was the "don't play against us" thing and as it seems to be limited to the club tournament team, that is more than reasonable.

4 tables, free membership, and twice a week gaming, I wish there was a club like this when I was in college!

I'm glad we've gotten that straightened out

Ah thanks bud! We really appreciate it!

~Ghost

To the OP: I have been in a gaming club for about 8 years now. Ironically the best thing we did, was merge with another club. So instead of a club of 4-7 guys each, we now have about 10-15 consistent gamers. I know math there doesn't add up, but we have a few floating guys. Here's our important points.

Venues:
*We game primary out of peoples house for gaming nights for fun. This allows us all some ease of travel, parking, and food (includes beverages). This allows for guys to get to know each other while we game.
*We all attend local tournments together, usually on a rotation.

Age:
Some people say this is not important. I somewhat disagree. Our club is primarilyi guys of an age range including 25+. We are a casual group, who likes to have a few beers while we play at peoples houses. As a result of this, along with some of use are in the military, police, fire dept, teachers, we do not have any members who are under the age of 21, which is the legal drinking age in our area. This is a decision we know keeps a few players we well like out of our group. I will not personally drink alcoholic beverages near people under age. That's a personal preference. I would not attend an event or gathering where this is taking place. I'm at a point in my life where its trouble, and best to be avoided. I would strongly recommend any new club forming to think about this.

Now that does not mean you cannot have a few "junior" members. Just understand you may need to organize seperate events. Keep that in mind. Remember what you do as a club affects the reputation, and standing of people in your community. How your club mates behave reflects on you.

Conduct:
We don't really have an written rules on this. Thankfully, even when we merged clubs, most of the guys in both clubs were friends. Everyone pokes fun at each other, its all in good fun though. We respect each other, lend armies back / forth, and help with building and painting. This is generally an expectation. Everyone helps everyone. We don't allow in guys we think would reflect badly on us, or just want to be in a club. We want guys who will be friends. Guys who will help you move your house, lend you an army. If you have guys in your club you wouldn't goto the movies with, or grab a bite to eat with, they probably shouldn't be in your club.

Probationary Period:
We never needed one / never bothered.

njpc wrote:To the OP: I have been in a gaming club for about 8 years now. Ironically the best thing we did, was merge with another club. So instead of a club of 4-7 guys each, we now have about 10-15 consistent gamers. I know math there doesn't add up, but we have a few floating guys. Here's our important points.

Venues:
*We game primary out of peoples house for gaming nights for fun. This allows us all some ease of travel, parking, and food (includes beverages). This allows for guys to get to know each other while we game.
*We all attend local tournments together, usually on a rotation.

Age:
Some people say this is not important. I somewhat disagree. Our club is primarilyi guys of an age range including 25+. We are a casual group, who likes to have a few beers while we play at peoples houses. As a result of this, along with some of use are in the military, police, fire dept, teachers, we do not have any members who are under the age of 21, which is the legal drinking age in our area. This is a decision we know keeps a few players we well like out of our group. I will not personally drink alcoholic beverages near people under age. That's a personal preference. I would not attend an event or gathering where this is taking place. I'm at a point in my life where its trouble, and best to be avoided. I would strongly recommend any new club forming to think about this.

Now that does not mean you cannot have a few "junior" members. Just understand you may need to organize seperate events. Keep that in mind. Remember what you do as a club affects the reputation, and standing of people in your community. How your club mates behave reflects on you.

Conduct:
We don't really have an written rules on this. Thankfully, even when we merged clubs, most of the guys in both clubs were friends. Everyone pokes fun at each other, its all in good fun though. We respect each other, lend armies back / forth, and help with building and painting. This is generally an expectation. Everyone helps everyone. We don't allow in guys we think would reflect badly on us, or just want to be in a club. We want guys who will be friends. Guys who will help you move your house, lend you an army. If you have guys in your club you wouldn't goto the movies with, or grab a bite to eat with, they probably shouldn't be in your club.

Probationary Period:
We never needed one / never bothered.

Thanks heaps for the suggestions mate!
You bring some valid points forward that we will definitely take into consideration!
~Ghost