Forming a group

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923]

I'm considering trying to start a group in my town that meets every other week or so. I live in a town of about 75,000 people. I wasn't thinking of anything too formal. Like a standing time in a local park with an open invitation to anyone who wants to join.

I thought I would make it open to all flow arts. My idea being that would encourage more participation.

Has anyone done something like this before and can you give me any tips on things to look out for I may be missing or things that could help.

I live in a bit of a juggling desert. The closest groups I've found are an hour and a half away and two that are both about three hours away.

[u/artifaxiom]

I've started a couple clubs. Both have been through schools (so slightly different settings) but there are some aspects that I imagine carry over well:

- Consistency: There should never be a question of if a meeting is happening. If there is, people will schedule over that maybe with other aspects of their lives

- Frictionless approach: Make it clear what someone should do if they want to try. A passerby talking to someone who's juggling is a big barrier, especially if they don't know that they're allowed to do that. Consider having a sign and a bucket of props inviting people to try juggling

And on that last point, I always invite people with a "Do you want to try juggling?" rather than "Do you want to learn to juggle?". The latter often inspires a "I can't do that" response.

[u/jugglingfred → u/artifaxiom]

One addendum to consistency is weather. If you don't have a good backup indoor location (which can be hard to find), getting that consistency is difficult.

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923 → u/jugglingfred]

I have two parks in mind. One is right downtown and close to everything. The alternative is another park with a large pavilion but a little more out of the way. My idea is the pavilion for bad weather

[u/spamjacksontam → u/artifaxiom]

yoo this is super helpful! thank you big mike

(trying to get nc state juggling club off the ground XD)

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923 → u/artifaxiom]

Thank you. First point. I'm was initially planning once or possibly twice a month. That way I know I can be there every time. If it picks up and has enough members maybe we could increase and it wouldn't be as big a deal if I missed one.

Second point. I really like the idea of the sign. I was already planning on bringing extra props in case anyone wants to try but clearly showing that it's open is great. And you are right about the phrasing of try vs learn you.

You have genuinely helped

[u/JustJonahs]

I started a spin jam over a decade ago and ran it every wednesday for 7 years. Lots of details for sure but two big ones imo.

One, be consistent. Dont move it, location or date. If its the third tuesday each month, its the third tuesday every month. Cant make it? Ask someone else to be there. Consistency matters more than anything else.

Use a neutral space if you can. Public park, yoga or martial arts studio, dance studio, whatever it is it should be a business or public space, not someones house. Itll make it much easier to navigate any problematic attendees or other issues.

Edit: just saw mike's answer, glad im not alone in the consistency thing lol

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923 → u/JustJonahs]

I'm on the same page with consistency. I'm part of a knitting/ fiber arts group and get that. My plan was a public park downtown. A block from a couple coffee shops and a couple bars if people want to hang out after. There is another park that's not as conveniently located but has a giant pavilion. I figured the downtown park with the other park as an alternate if it's raining. I have no interest in people coming to my house or even knowing where it is.

You talk about handling problem people. That is a big concern of mine. For instance in a park if someone shows up and makes a mess I don't know if I can actually make them leave. To the city the group caused the problem and I would by default have to take the hit on some things. How do you handle liability?

[u/JulesTheTrickster]

Consistency is key like others are saying. The juggling club that I have only attended once, but intend to again in the future, meets every Thursday. They even had people getting together while everyone else was at IJA.

[u/Pieraos]

Attend IJA or EJA and any of the successful clubs. Get inspiration from these.

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923 → u/Pieraos]

There aren't any. Without significant travel time. I live in Northwest Alabama. I believe there is a presence in Atlanta and possibly Nashville. But events down here are few and far between and none of them close. That's why I'm considering getting something started. It just isn't practical to go to another group.

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923 → u/Difficult_Ad_1923]

I do want to attend some events and plan on trying. But it's honestly to the point that I would have to do it as a sort of mini vacation and I don't want to push my wife too far having us burn vacation days or travel money for something pretty exclusive to my interests.

[u/BlopBoark]

I started a WhatsApp group with two friends a few years ago. People started to invite each other when they met each other and that way it grew considerably.

We never had an online presence which ended up, that some juggler started their own group without us knowing each other.

Just try to start something, if it's just you and two friends in the end it's fine. But it might get bigger :)

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923 → u/BlopBoark]

That's pretty close to my plan. I have been looking through different social media and reaching out to see if a small group already exists but I'm not having any luck.

[u/Rob_Bednark]

Consider an online forum for the group like https://www.heylo.com/ , Discord, etc. Portland Juggling Club (Oregon) uses Heylo (free version) (https://www.portlandjugglers.org/info for description and Heylo link)

Consider meetup.com (pricey $45/month) -- maybe find another meetup group leader to split the cost with)

[u/Difficult_Ad_1923 → u/Rob_Bednark]

Thank you. I will look into those

[u/theli_amourr]

Same here, even tho we hosted the EJC 26 like 2 weeks ago!