How to find/start a local LUG?

[LegoCityMann]

I've searched online for a local LUG and even asked at our new Lego store but have been unable to find a local LUG in Northeast Ohio, USA. Any suggestions on how to find a LUG and/or how to start a LUG would be greatly appreciated.

~LCM

[Paul B Technic]

I found mine on Face Book, maybe have a search and see if you can find any people from your area who like Lego. if you do start your own then maybe put up a flyer in a local toy store if they are ok with you doing that.

Paul

[tedbeard]

You can start at the World LUG Map on LUGnet.

Some advice on starting a LUG.

[FROGG]

For Ohio LUG's theres the Central Ohio Lego Train Club. We are mostly Columbus area residents though. Heres the website: www.coltc.org

[MirriPrime]

Also a Northeastern Ohio resident. Haven't heard of any LUG's in our area, but I am so glad they finally gave us a Lego store. Let me know if you plan on starting anything.

[Hoboman]

I gave up on my "local" LUG.

When I tried to introduce myself on their Yahoo group they acted like it was a bother to answer my questions. Then I realized the focus of the conversation was almost 100% on their bulk orders from Lego. Was quite a disappointment.

[tedbeard]

When I tried to introduce myself on their Yahoo group they acted like it was a bother to answer my questions. Then I realized the focus of the conversation was almost 100% on their bulk orders from Lego. Was quite a disappointment.

Ouch, that's not good. Perhaps it was just bad timing?

Our LUG had about one and a half weeks to get our order squared away this time and it was a bit of a hassle for us trying to get everyone coordinated. Not an excuse for being rude but maybe they were a little preoccupied. I'd hate to think a LUG was trying to be unwelcoming.

[Seluryar]

hello fellow NE Ohio AFOL's!

[SilvaShado]

My LUG has meetings at local libraries so we post flyers up there. You could post fliers asking for people to contact you to start up a LUG. You could start up a facebook group to easily collect people and communicate.

You might also ask the manager at the LEGO store if you could post a flyer there.

Good luck starting one up!

[Follows Closely]

I gave up on my "local" LUG.

When I tried to introduce myself on their Yahoo group they acted like it was a bother to answer my questions. Then I realized the focus of the conversation was almost 100% on their bulk orders from Lego. Was quite a disappointment.

This is the only reason I would be interested...

[Darkdragon]

I've started a lug myself. Of course i don't know if it will work out, our first meeting is in August.

I started out by contacting people in my current lug (which serves around 4 states) and see if there was interest in a separate lug in my area. Once I found there was interest, I began building the website. I recently finished the website (basic functions like calendar, news, and member signup as well as items required by lego to be considered a valid lug).

I've also just ordered business cards which I'll hand out to people and give to other members to hand out to anyone curious. I've met people in Toys R Us and Target that I have handed my bricklink card to but wish I'd had some sort of LUG card to give them.

Dunno if any of this is helpful to you but hope so.

[Mythos]

Right now were trying to get a local LUG organised since the nearest one is an hour drive one way which in these days and times is not economical, so far my Husband has set up FB site and gonna work on our own site, he also got a friend of his to send him a bunch of LEGO for the kids to play with along with some sets for prizes once we start.

currently though were looking for a good venue to have the meetings at, we'll be checking our local libraries and such, plus he was going to check with some people he knows who have empty strip mall office space available.

but right now getting everything ready is alot of work.

[Hoboman]

When I tried to introduce myself on their Yahoo group they acted like it was a bother to answer my questions. Then I realized the focus of the conversation was almost 100% on their bulk orders from Lego. Was quite a disappointment.

This is the only reason I would be interested...

I agree that a bulk buy might have been a draw, but being treated like I was bothering them and then being ignored while they planned the bulk buy was less of an interesting moment.

[Bearded Castle Guy]

I've started a lug myself. Of course i don't know if it will work out, our first meeting is in August.

I started out by contacting people in my current lug (which serves around 4 states) and see if there was interest in a separate lug in my area. Once I found there was interest, I began building the website. I recently finished the website (basic functions like calendar, news, and member signup as well as items required by Lego to be considered a valid lug).

I've also just ordered business cards which I'll hand out to people and give to other members to hand out to anyone curious. I've met people in Toys R Us and Target that I have handed my bricklink card to but wish I'd had some sort of LUG card to give them.

Dunno if any of this is helpful to you but hope so.

Starting a group like this is a lot of work, my advice is to not overextend yourself in the beginning to avoid burnout. The LUG I've joined was already an ongoing group when it moved to it's current message board host in 2007. You can start a LUG without LEGO's sanction, you'd just not be able to have some of the benefits of meeting their requirements (mostly being able to elect an Ambassador and LUGbulk I believe). I certainly didn't join the LUG I did to order LUGbulk, heck I've not even received anything from a LUGbulk order yet. I *DO* enjoy the talk and meeting folks that have a similar interest and seeing what folks have built and are showing.

I congratulate you on starting a LUG, I hope it works out well for all involved.

In general,

Joining a LUG (or even starting one) just to get in a LUGbulk order is not to me, the point/spirit of why LUGbulk exists, it got started to help groups get pieces to build public displays, hence why I believe that the number of show required is in there. But maybe that's just me.

[Darkdragon]

Starting a group like this is a lot of work, my advice is to not overextend yourself in the beginning to avoid burnout.

I agree. I've started JUG (java user group) before - which is way more work then LUG because you have to recruit a speaker for every meeting, the programmers want to learn. I've also run special interest groups and branches of national groups, and most recently secretary of a very large camera club. It can be a lot of work for sure which is why I postponed my initial ideas of doing a lot of stuff at the beginning (in regards to the website) and focusing only on the basics first. If it takes a year to get the website built, then I am doing too much hahaha.

As far as the TLG requirements, it isn't much - just some basic info/planning is required to meet it. :-)

In general,

Joining a LUG (or even starting one) just to get in a LUGbulk order is not to me, the point/spirit of why LUGbulk exists, it got started to help groups get pieces to build public displays, hence why I believe that the number of show required is in there. But maybe that's just me.

I agree! I'm just getting my first-ever LUGbulk this weekend but I can't imagine joining the group just for LUGbulk and only saying hello when it's time to order and pay - what a waste! Sharing ideas, friendship, events, pizza - many other reasons to join a LUG. I'm just glad there is no reselling of the LUGbulk because at least that gets rid of the folks that would join purely for profit-seeking.

[tedbeard]

I agree! I'm just getting my first-ever LUGbulk this weekend but I can't imagine joining the group just for LUGbulk and only saying hello when it's time to order and pay - what a waste! Sharing ideas, friendship, events, pizza - many other reasons to join a LUG.

I am totally in agreement with this sentiment. LUGbulk was created to aid LUGs in doing public displays by providing elements to create large landscapes or other "big" MOCs. It certainly should not be something that gets in the way of new members or having fun.

[Hoboman]

I am totally in agreement with this sentiment. LUGbulk was created to aid LUGs in doing public displays by providing elements to create large landscapes or other "big" MOCs. It certainly should not be something that gets in the way of new members or having fun.

I agree with the idea. It would have been a wonderful thing had the local LUG had as much interest in new members as they did in their bulk order. Sadly that was not the case. I imagine it has a lot to do with who is the leadership of the LUG. A leader or leaders who want to pull together local AFOLs will approch things very different than those who are only worried about their "latest haul".

[Bearded Castle Guy]

I agree with the idea. It would have been a wonderful thing had the local LUG had as much interest in new members as they did in their bulk order. Sadly that was not the case. I imagine it has a lot to do with who is the leadership of the LUG. A leader or leaders who want to pull together local AFOLs will approch things very different than those who are only worried about their "latest haul".

Not all LUG's have or even need the same leadership structure, the one I'm part has had a very loose leadership structure per say, it's not a formalized thing or a strict voted in officer type deal. We've had a number of strong informal organizers in the past but the group works on a more informal basis, we've recently appointed a Secretary (think Secretary of State/ key contact person) so there is someone that can be an official/first contact person but some tasks/issues/interactions may be handed off to others on a case by case basis.

[Legoman]

Sorry to dig up an old topic, But I didn't feel this deserved its own seperate thread, as it's along similar lines..

We have a group that's kind-of forming a LUG/FOL group, and I was just wondering what the requirements are for a LUG to be 'recognised'. I recall something about a certain number of MOC's at planned/official events, a website, and minimum age. Are these right, and is there anyone who could enlighten me on this? Cheers

Sam

[davee123]

We have a group that's kind-of forming a LUG/FOL group, and I was just wondering what the requirements are for a LUG to be 'recognised'.

Well, there's two forms of formal recognition currently in place that I'm aware of, both being recognized by LEGO. As for being recognized by the hobbyist community, there's no such thing-- you can effectively recognize yourself, and that's enough.

For recognition into the Ambassador program, I'm having a heck of a time finding the requirements. LEGO hasn't played up the role of Ambassadors since the early cycles. The last formal announcement that I can find regarding Ambassador selection is back in 2009 for the Cycle 7 Ambassadors. I can't find anything since! But as I recall, it was something along the lines of being either a physical LUG (I forget the specifics required), or being a large online community with X members.

For recognition into LUGBULK, I think the requirements were pretty similar to the Ambassador program, but I can't be sure. The current requirements are:

- you need to be a physical LUG (you can't just have a web presence)

- need 10+ members (some of whom must be 16+)

- must have existed for at least 1 year

- have a website (not just a Facebook page or something)

- need to do 2+ public displays per year

There are some other requirements, but they're specifics about website contents, submissions, etc.

[edit]Wow, that was difficult, but I found information posted on BZPower. Basically, for a local LUG to be recognized for the Ambassador program:

- You need 10+ "active" members

- Must be around for 1 year or more

- Have 2 or more public displays per year

So, very similar to the Ambassador requirements, but you apparently don't need a website to be considered. You DO, however, have to submit some sort of evidence (photos or something) demonstrating your activity level.[/edit]

DaveE

Edited January 18, 2012 by davee123