Beginning a Club-Type Thing-HELP!

Jennifyr

Hey guys, I am going to begin an online bonsai club. There's pretty much no one around my area interested in bonsai, and even if I were to start a club there, I am most likely relocating soon. So, I was wondering how I should go about getting it started/getting members/where we should hold it (ie. forum, website, IM, etc.) and how we should go about doing things like shows and what we should include. I was also thinking we'd have maybe a club "tree" that was nominated and it's growth would be charted. We could also have something where we all/some of us get seeds for the same tree and chart their growth together. What do you think? Of course, I'll need some help, so if you want to help, please PM me. I want this thread only for suggestions.

I've been reading bonsai books/websites and since I've already started growing another bonsai and such, I thought this club would be AWESOME to get back into bonsai.

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kcpoole

Hi Jennifyr
Unless you really target a niche group, then I would suggest that right here is the best place for an Online Bonsai club. The systems are already here and running, the membership is Active and knowlegeable.

There are many members here that are also Isolated, but meet and converse here regularly. The info they give and recieve is of benifit to all.

Irene is also doing an online single tree development via here (How is it going Irene??)

Ken

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rockm

You don't give your location (only need the state). I'd bet there is a "real life" bonsai club within a day's (probably alot less) journey from you...

An online bonsai club would be kind of reinventing the wheel. This site is the place you're aiming to build.

Jennifyr

Thanks for your opinions guys! What I really had in mind for a club, though, is a group of people, probably a small-to-medium sized one, that all were/became friends, and that all members pretty much knew each other. I mean, I was thinking of online bonsai shows where you send in pictures, showing through pix the development of our bonsai and such, but also doing stuff like having a "mascot", and having a club tree growth and such, things that maybe this forum here wouldn't do, but a small group of people could.

This is most definately not to say that I don't like this forum, in the small time I've been here, I absolutely LOVE it. It's amazing. But I am a member of some other forums as well, and that's a place where it's like a big family and everyone knows everyone else. I mean, I know I'm new and I don't expect to know everyone right at first, but I like smaller groups of people who can really get to know each other. I mean, this is a giant site, it's so successful, and the mods are awesome and everything, but I wanted something a bit smaller...somewhat like a clique I guess you could say....a nice clique.....

Your opinions are awesome, and I've definately taken them into consideration with this all. I mean, I've copied and pasted them into my bonsai plans for things such as making an online club and possibly beginning a business, it's really helpful.

I have checked out if there are any bonsai clubs around my area, and there are some, but they're not REALLY what I'm looking for. Some of the clubs are WAY to far than I'm willing to drive with gas and all, and some are like, just about discussing bonsai, not DOING anything, no shows, no clinics, or demonstrations. Just text.

nsmar4211

Jennifer, if they're into bonsai, and are online, then I'd be willing to bet half my trees that they are already on one of these forums. There aren't a lot of bonsai forums, so it'd be a simple matter to go onto each, start a thread asking who's in xx area, and go from there. You can all pick a forum as your main forum and send each other PM's if you want the smaller group thing. "smaller group" and "online", well, don't always go together LOL. Once you figure out if there's enough people interested in your area, you could do a private Yahoo group or something similar if you really want a small group.

As for the everyone on here knows everyone else, not really. It's like a workplace, where you are acquainted with everyone, then have a group that you talk to more often, and then there's a small group that you really talk too . BTW, we do have a chat on this forum. If you and some other area peoples wanted to get together, you can go into chat and hop into one of the alternative rooms (besides the workshop) and chat away! No trying to figure out websites or anything.

Susan and crew

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Jennifyr

Hm, these are good ideas. I think I'm going to get a small group of people together that maybe live around me, and then we could IM each other or chat in one of the other rooms, like you said Susan.

I understand the thing about the whole workplace. That's why I enjoy working for small companies where everyone is friends with everyone, lol!

Thank you guys so much for your help! I still might try and get a website/forum if it got to where nothing was organized with the chat, but after hearing your comments, IMing or chatting would be the best idea.

*goes to find California people*

tachigi

Jen all that you seek is here, or at a select few other forums.

You just got to give it a chance here, and get to know us

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Tom

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Jennifyr

Ok. I shall do just that. But now that I see that little angry bonsai....lol, jk!

Graydon

I would *go find a California Club* if you know what I mean. I am assuming you are in California by that comment. If so you are in the mecca of US bonsai. Utilize that resource if it is available to you. There will be plenty of time to chat and IM online as well.

Just my $.02 from Florida.

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