by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: September 16, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

Being part of a reading or book club is a wonderful way to connect with other people who love to read. It can be a source of intelligent conversation and lively debate. Joining an already existing club is of course a much easier option, but here we will examine steps for starting your own club.

The first step should be to set a time. You should attempt to set a time before you ask members since you will never get a consensus of opinion about the best time. It does not look to all the other members like you are playing favorites, if you decide the time in advance. You will not be able to coordinate a time that will always work for everyone. If you are adamant about having certain people be part of your club consult those couple folks first, but do not ask for a suggestion as to time the club is held from the whole crowd or you will never get started. Expect, right from the beginning, that everyone will probably not make every meeting. It has been said you could be missing up to a third to half of the members each time you meet. With this in mind, have enough members.

Most book clubs meet just once a month. It is also wise to set aside December as a no meeting time since everyone usually already has way too much to do and too many places to be that month. Staying away from a Wednesday night also makes sense since many church activities are usually scheduled that day of the week. Rather than picking an exact date each month use the first Monday or second Tuesday of the month for example. It will make it easier to remember that way as well. Make sure your starting time gives folks enough time to be through with work. If your club time will include a meal it needs to be at an appropriate time, otherwise give people enough time for supper before starting. A two hour block for your meeting time seems appropriate but you could adjust that if necessary.

Next find members. Simply asking family and friends if they like to read would be a great opener. Then explain about your club and ask if they would be interested in coming. Tell them it would be great if they could commit to a monthly meeting, but they could come whenever they were free if they had time to read that month's book selection. This takes some pressure off those who abhor joining things. Aim for about a dozen members since when folks don't show up you will still have a few people to discuss the book.

At the time someone agrees to come to the meeting ask them for their full name, phone number, and e-mail.

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