Thinking about starting a club in my area - Advice needed

[ArnieTX]

I live in a rural community and am thinking about starting a metal detecting club.

My love for the hobby and especially relic hunting has infected many of my friends and their kids with the desire to get out and hunt. This year alone I've introduced 5 adults and a half dozen kids to the hobby and many of them have already bought good gear from vendors on this forum.

My objectives would be:
1. Bring together folks who are interested in this hobby and preserving our past
2. Educate each member on the ethics of metal detecting - the proper way to handle yourself in public when digging
3. Educate our members and especially our youth about our local history through research and finds - Influence our kids to get off the video games and outside in the fresh air
4. Perform community service as a club, raise awareness to the hobby, and raise funds for hobby related projects
5. Be a resource for whoever needs our services, lost and found, law enforcement , etc.

I've been in many clubs and organizations over the years but none I've really had a "passion for" so I understand the concepts, I'm just wondering if there are any things I need to know before I proceed.

Any advice from current club members about:

What they like about their club
What they don't like about their club
Reasons they left their club
Dues? Fees?
Events. IDeas?
Etc Etc Etc

General input on having a club??

Thanks in advance for your input. I believe there are many folks in the area that would be interested in getting into the hobby. I know I can pull in a ton of kids and drag a few parents along for the ride.

Thanks,

 

[mudpuppy]

I think its a big commitment of your time and resources..surely theres some posters here that have started one and can help get you going...check those folks at PATH down on the bottom of the Forum listings..they seem like a friendly and active bunch.
Mud