A book club can only be as good as its members.You book club will inevitably fall apart if you don't have a steady base of committed members.Finding members who are genuinely interested in being a part of your book club is the first hurdle to overcome.Simple interest is the second biggest hurdle.
Step 1: You should ask the people you know.
Sharing interests make your circle of friends an ideal place to start.Friends, family, and acquaintances are up for grabs.If you want to join a book club, you should only ask people who are interested in it, not those who will join just to please you.The likelihood of you being able to keep them committed will not be as high if you don't.You can ask the people you know to spread the word.Sally might not be interested in joining, but her niece might be.Mentioning your book club to people you don't know is a simple way to get their attention.
Step 2: Messages can be sent around town.
There are community bulletin boards in libraries and churches.If your office has a bulletin board, you can post an advertisement for your book club there, as long as you don't violate office policy.You can try posting an invite to boards online, but you will need to find a website that caters to your community.There is a message board for your community.
Step 3: Request it from the venue.
Ask the venue for help recruiting new members of your book club.A book store manager is likely to know a lot of people who love books.The person in charge of your book club may be willing to help you find interested members.
Step 4: Talk to other book clubs.
Book clubs aren't necessarily competing for members.A book club that has grown too large for it's own good may be willing to give you contact information for anyone you need to turn away.If the focus is different, another book club may have a few members that are interested in joining your club.
Step 5: The discussions should be lively.
Meeting after meeting of awkward silence is one of the ways to lose interest.If people stop talking at a book club, the coming will stop as well.Each meeting has a list of open-ended questions to ask about each book.If you are the leader of the group, it is your responsibility to keep things on track when people start to get quiet or start talking about too many topics.If you are only an ordinary member, you have the same responsibility as anyone else to speak up.If you want to get more interest in a book club, you need to show your own interest first.
Step 6: The atmosphere should be comfortable.
A book club is a social group that meets for a purpose.If you have too much structure, members may start to feel uncomfortable.Showing interest in the other members is a simple way to nurture a comfortable environment.A simple greeting of "It's good to see you" can make someone feel welcome.
Step 7: Everyone has the right to have their say.
Talkers and Listeners can be found within any group of people.That doesn't mean the people listening have nothing to add to.Keep an eye on the group's dynamics.If one or two people seem to control the entire conversation while someone else keeps getting interrupted, politely stop the talkers and ask for the other person's thoughts.Everyone's opinion should be treated with respect.If one of your club members brings up an interpretation that you do not agree with, that is not reason for you or any other club member to be offensive.Once the conversation starts turning nasty, club members should stop talking.
Step 8: It's important to read books that people want.
If more people have a say, your club's membership will last longer.The members can vote on the options brought up by everyone.Whatever you do, make sure that all the members feel appreciated.
Step 9: There should be some rules about attendance.
If members show up, book clubs work.Everyone will inevitably miss a meeting, but if someone consistently shows a lack of interest, it can be discouraging to the other members.It's better to get rid of that person and find a new one.Some people may not attend if members are not up-to-date with their reading.Being too strict about the reading requirement can lead to a room of people who have yet to make it past chapter five in the same book for the last three months.If you want to keep people comfortable, have a reading requirement.
Step 10: Bribe members have food.
Coffee and cookies can work for almost any meeting.You could make a related food selection to improve the reading.If a character talks about a dish in the book, prepare it for the club.If your club is reading an 18th century British classic, consider a snack that recalls that era.
Step 11: There will be a related event.
Field trips and other fun events help the members bond as a group and may increase each member's sense of attachment or belonging.If your club is reading a book that has been made into a film, you should meet separately for a showing of the movie.An expert will talk to your group.You can speak with a literature professor or local writer.An expert from that field could come to your group and speak if you are reading a book about that topic.You can visit the places mentioned in the book.It is possible to find a book that is centered around your hometown.Take a field trip to places mentioned in the book.
Step 12: Everyone should be in the loop.
There is a contact list with addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.If there is a change, make sure to personally speak with each member to let them know.It is possible to set up an email group or online community to make it easier to communicate.