Cross Gaming Club Forums

Hello gents.

Right, I have some suggestions and stuff about the club that I'd like to propose to everyone for discussion. I was going to hold off for a while as I'm unsure of how long I might be attending the club for due to one thing or another (cryptic...) but I thought I'd suggest them anyway, especially as I'm enthused by the current activity within the committee and the shake-ups that are occurring. I'm going to write them as a list as that way it's easier to scan through stuff, and then I can add things as I remember them at a later date.

Hmm, ok, where to start...

1) This is probably the most prescient: would the club consider moving? With all the work that's planned for the tables and scenery, I wonder if it might be an idea to move to somewhere else, specifically a space with a greater volume for storage where the tables could be stored without being damaged. I know of a venue which may be suitable (still within zone 1), but before I mention it, I wanted to check whether or not the idea was, in principle at least, supported.

2) Making the club more of a club: I think Luke mentioned this elsewhere, but perhaps a monthly drinking session might be a good idea so that members can meet each other outside of turning up and playing. For some people who just like to turn up and fight, this isn't so much of an issue, but for others (especially those who may have moved to London leaving behind gaming groups, or those who prefer the modeling, painting and fluff side of things), gaming is also a social experience, and it'd be good for people to get to know one another outside of the Tuesday night events. I've been coming to the club for years now and made some good friends there, but sometimes I'll look at a forum username and not have a clue who it is!

3) The committee and money: this is a kind of difficult question, and one I've been a little wary of posing, but I'm going to go with it anyway and I'll find out if anyone speaks to me on Tuesday!... what happens with the funds raised by the club?

Is there any way that members can make suggestions as to where it should or could go? Does it just stay in the red tin until such times that things need repair or replacing? Can some of it be used for tournament prizes or club incentives? Like, for example, a prize of a Blood Bowl team (what, £30 now, I think?) for the winner of the BB League is easily recuperated by the club - that's just five games of BB, but quite a good gesture by the club. Could it be used for club t-shirts for when the club is represented at National tournaments?

Personally, I also think the committee should receive some kind of wage for the work that they do: how much this should be or what form it should take, I'm unsure, but I imagine at times that it must be a pretty thankless task having to clear everything away at half eleven every week with a grumpy barman complaining at you; or having people over to your house to build/repair scenery; or having to maintain a forum and organise weekly games to everyone's satisfaction. Perhaps this could lead to more incentive to organising the club so it runs a bit smoother: getting the tables ready for opening, or working with members to ensure a calender of events so no campaigns overlap with each other?

Well, they're my initial thoughts for now, I probably have some more rattling round my head - I hope I've not spoken out of turn in any way.

(20-03-2010 04:19 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]Hello gents.

Right, I have some suggestions and stuff about the club that I'd like to propose to everyone for discussion. I was going to hold off for a while as I'm unsure of how long I might be attending the club for due to one thing or another (cryptic...) but I thought I'd suggest them anyway, especially as I'm enthused by the current activity within the committee and the shake-ups that are occurring. I'm going to write them as a list as that way it's easier to scan through stuff, and then I can add things as I remember them at a later date.

Hmm, ok, where to start...

Hallo mate,
Thanks for the post and good to have some direct feedback and ideas. I'll give you my thoughts on each one by one and I m sure others will
be along to add their thoughts soon as they see this

(20-03-2010 04:19 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]1) This is probably the most prescient: would the club consider moving? With all the work that's planned for the tables and scenery, I wonder if it might be an idea to move to somewhere else, specifically a space with a greater volume for storage where the tables could be stored without being damaged. I know of a venue which may be suitable (still within zone 1), but before I mention it, I wanted to check whether or not the idea was, in principle at least, supported.

Personally I have nothing against moving the club. The bar staff can be a pain, as can the drunks. Storage is not ideal and it can get a bit cramped. However it is a good location and it does have beer!
If there is a better alternative (with beer?) then Id certainly be up for considering it.

(20-03-2010 04:19 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]2) Making the club more of a club: I think Luke mentioned this elsewhere, but perhaps a monthly drinking session might be a good idea so that members can meet each other outside of turning up and playing. For some people who just like to turn up and fight, this isn't so much of an issue, but for others (especially those who may have moved to London leaving behind gaming groups, or those who prefer the modeling, painting and fluff side of things), gaming is also a social experience, and it'd be good for people to get to know one another outside of the Tuesday night events. I've been coming to the club for years now and made some good friends there, but sometimes I'll look at a forum username and not have a clue who it is!

More bonding eh? Sounds good to me. The idea of bringing more community feeling to the club has been raised before and is a good idea.
Any thoughts anyone?
Drinking, modelling and paintball are all things i'd be up for.
(Trips to strip bars would also be considered)

(20-03-2010 04:19 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]3) The committee and money: this is a kind of difficult question, and one I've been a little wary of posing, but I'm going to go with it anyway and I'll find out if anyone speaks to me on Tuesday!... what happens with the funds raised by the club?

Is there any way that members can make suggestions as to where it should or could go? Does it just stay in the red tin until such times that things need repair or replacing? Can some of it be used for tournament prizes or club incentives? Like, for example, a prize of a Blood Bowl team (what, £30 now, I think?) for the winner of the BB League is easily recuperated by the club - that's just five games of BB, but quite a good gesture by the club. Could it be used for club t-shirts for when the club is represented at National tournaments?

Funds raised sit with me until we can think of something to do with them and anyone with an idea or suggestion should harass me about it. Dont be shy!!

We have quite a bit of cash saved atm and the new tables and terrain on the horizon are the first step to putting that to good use. I think this will use up a fair bit. Ithink the money we raise should entitle members to so really top notch gaming tables to play on and as you know im pushing to make this happen but I will also budget to make sure we keep some cash in hand for any other needs.

With regards to prizes for tournies/leauges/comps then I think the consensus was that any prize raised by the participants would be matched by the club. (Though I think we may need to put an upper limit on that so it doesnt get silly, I'd say £50 just as a personal suggestion)

I like the idea of club merchandising and think we could go beyond just Tshirts
Cases, Tape measures, USB sticks, Templates, Hoodies, Polo shirts, Camels anything we can think of but we will need someone to come up with some good designs and a consensus that epople would actually want these things

(20-03-2010 04:19 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]Personally, I also think the committee should receive some kind of wage for the work that they do: how much this should be or what form it should take, I'm unsure, but I imagine at times that it must be a pretty thankless task having to clear everything away at half eleven every week with a grumpy barman complaining at you; or having people over to your house to build/repair scenery; or having to maintain a forum and organise weekly games to everyone's satisfaction. Perhaps this could lead to more incentive to organising the club so it runs a bit smoother: getting the tables ready for opening, or working with members to ensure a calender of events so no campaigns overlap with each other?

Well, they're my initial thoughts for now, I probably have some more rattling round my head - I hope I've not spoken out of turn in any way.

So your saying if we got paid we may actually do some work?
Hehehe you have to pay me alot for that!

We do have one perk in that we do not pay table fees and personally Im not sure it should really go beyond that. Money is not so mauch the issue as time. We all work and/or familes so are constrained in what we can do by that unfortunately.
Definately up for ways to improve the club and make things run better/smoother just not sure if wages or similar would be the way to go.

Its everyone's club so always voice your opinions and I look forward to hearing more comments and joining the discussions.

Brgds,
Chris

I agree with everything Chris has said, and thanks for the feedback.

If we are going to move then it needs to be close to the current location, since we do not want to lose members by making them have to travel another half hour, and it will have to have storage and either be free or very cheap. If we can achieve that then lets move, since it is very cramped where we are.

If anyone has other ideas then please post, pm or come and discuss them and we will see what we can put into action

Hey there. I'm not a fully paid up member... yet.
I came down once with my red and cream space marines, Andy if anyone remembers. Anyway. I wanted to check out another gaming club before I settled on this one. I prefer this one as the vibe was much better and I like it being in central London. The pub it was in was a good one (though any pub that serves ale will get my vote!). I don't think the cramped thing is bad, I've been in more open gaming clubs and it doesn't help the social side. Being all cramped up makes people engage with each other and interact. But obviously there needs to be a trade off with space for tables.
I have a few suggestions but I don't mean to overstep the mark as I am new.
Anyway here goes:
Personally I think there is already a good strong vibe and everyone is welcoming. It is not closed off and cliquey like some clubs, but encouraging social gatherings can only make it better! So I would actively encourage that side of things.
If the committee members don't pay table fees then I would feel a bit strange about them taking a wage for what is essentially a labour of love. A little more respect on behalf of the members who play regularly would help rectify this (that is if some committee members feel overburdened). I would never mind staying behind to help out tidy etc.
One thing about the clubs finances which would be a good thing imo is to make them completely transparent. Someone needs to take control of them in a strict manner, keeping a record of the books and putting it on the forum for members to access. This way people will be safe in the knowledge that the funds are being used correctly (not that I'm suggesting they wouldn't!).
I could be used to buy newer and better scenery, prizes for tournaments are a good idea too. Budgets could be apportioned to separate areas (such as scenery, website, tables, prizes etc).
Anyway, I really liked the club when I first came down, and enjoyed my game which was played in good spirit with Matt.
This is why I will be coming back and joining once I get back to London.
Hope to see you all soon (feel free to tell me my ideas are lame lol).

(21-03-2010 12:00 AM)TheOneYouKnow Wrote: [ -> ]Hey there. I'm not a fully paid up member... yet.
I came down once with my red and cream space marines, Andy if anyone remembers. Anyway. I wanted to check out another gaming club before I settled on this one. I prefer this one as the vibe was much better and I like it being in central London. The pub it was in was a good one (though any pub that serves ale will get my vote!). I don't think the cramped thing is bad, I've been in more open gaming clubs and it doesn't help the social side. Being all cramped up makes people engage with each other and interact. But obviously there needs to be a trade off with space for tables.
I have a few suggestions but I don't mean to overstep the mark as I am new.
Anyway here goes:
Personally I think there is already a good strong vibe and everyone is welcoming. It is not closed off and cliquey like some clubs, but encouraging social gatherings can only make it better! So I would actively encourage that side of things.
If the committee members don't pay table fees then I would feel a bit strange about them taking a wage for what is essentially a labour of love. A little more respect on behalf of the members who play regularly would help rectify this (that is if some committee members feel overburdened). I would never mind staying behind to help out tidy etc.
One thing about the clubs finances which would be a good thing imo is to make them completely transparent. Someone needs to take control of them in a strict manner, keeping a record of the books and putting it on the forum for members to access. This way people will be safe in the knowledge that the funds are being used correctly (not that I'm suggesting they wouldn't!).
I could be used to buy newer and better scenery, prizes for tournaments are a good idea too. Budgets could be apportioned to separate areas (such as scenery, website, tables, prizes etc).
Anyway, I really liked the club when I first came down, and enjoyed my game which was played in good spirit with Matt.
This is why I will be coming back and joining once I get back to London.
Hope to see you all soon (feel free to tell me my ideas are lame lol).

Thanks for the comments. I loved your space marines when you came down the other day, brilliant paint scheme.

Obviously the social meeting is something we will have to look into, it will probably be very popular. I am up for anything really, though I would have to draw the line at strip clubs, since I would like to still have a wife to come home too

I agree the wages stuff is a bad idea, I would rather there was more money on tables and scenery since I use them too! Plus it could create some resentment around the club. As for the work we do, really it is not too bad. Normally it is myself and Chris who clear away, and I have never once been left to do it on my own, we always have help (you are all so great guys!). I am pretty bossy and outspoken anyway, so I am fine telling people when to start winding up their games and stuff.

The transparency thing is something which I would support, but I think we (the commitee) need to sit down and discuss it. I want everyone to feel happy that we are saving and spending the money correctly, but I am loathe to formalise and commit budgets to everything. One of the wonderful things we have at the moment is flexibility to allocate funds where needed, and to supply prizes and scenery as necessary. I feel that tying it all down in budgets and such would both restrict the creativity we have, plus it could create resentment between different gaming groups at the club. the number of players for each game system ebbs and flows, and I do not want to fix anything.

I fully support moving the club for space reasons. Firstly, It may be cosy but when tables get jogged and paint chipped its not a positive interaction between players. Second, as we are putting a lot of time and money behind new boards and scenery it would be good to not be storing in a cold damp beer cellar! especially re. MDF

However the point made about not too far is very important, For many of us the fact that it is served by both tube and mainline is a god send, In fact the whole reason I joined the club was location. I have closer clubs to home but with work 90% of the time via London bridge Charring cross is perfect and many people are probably set in their ways now

Location is also a big thing for me if moving is something that is going to happen. Being bang in the middle of London and easily accessible was a winner. I live in Hackney and do not have any tube lines nearby, so I tend to get a bus into town. I have quite a few options regarding those bus routes though, but I imagine the club has members from all sides of London so somewhere central would most likely be preferable.
@ Marcus: Regarding budgeting, I can understand your thinking on that, I guess I didn't mean it in quite a strict method and if the 'books' were being put online for members to see then I guess it wouldn't really matter. But it is definitely something for the committee members to have a good old chin wag on. Also, thanks for the compliment, glad you liked them! Working on some converted sternguard at the moment and my chaplain just came 2nd in a forum painting competition (by a poxy 2 votes!!! grrr), so quite happy about that.

Guys

First off let me state that I am NOT a club member though I have a vested interest in CX as a club as you are a fellow London club and I want to see the club do well.

I've been to the club twice. Once to come down and say hi, meet the committee and promote some cross club interest, rivalry and camaraderie as well. To a certain extent I and others who visit CX from Tanelorn have achieved this in the Hordes/Warmachine/Monpoc areas. Second time was to take part in an event held there.

I've about 15 years experience running the WPS (formally the Warhammer Players Society) both as a committee member and as their chairman for a good 8 years. I've a lot of experience as a TO, writing rules, running events of up to 200 players (multi-system as well.

Finally I am the founder of Tanelorn Wargames Club and am the Honorary Chairman of the club which has been established and is still running some 7 years on.

In other words I have a shed load of experience and part of my "role" in the hobby community is to impart my lessons learned and knowledge to the "next generation" of gamers.

So here goes re the points that I think its worth commenting on. Please take NONE of these comments as being negative, offensive etc etc. They are meant to be honest, open feedback and are my personal opinions from experience.

1. Venue - in all honesty the venue you have is cramped and hot. I dont know the in's and outs of the deal you have there in terms of cost of hire, storage etc but from an external point of view - its not necessarily an ideal place to play games. The other big deal I see is that people come there from work (or not) and its hard to put your bag. laptop, army cases and gaming paraphenalia any where. Basically the place feels cramped/cluttered and from a health and safety perspective, I'm sure if some one came down and saw your table layout, they may have some thing to say about it.

2. Paying Committee Members - this is not some thing that should be done. Even if its something as basic as not paying table fees, its still a form of payment. I cant remember how much the table fees are but if it was £5 per game session then, 5 x 50 (weeks) is £250 a year. Committee members should not be paid for performing their job role. Its some thing that that person has chosen to take on as a role and is volunteering their time and energy for the benefit of the club.

3. Monies held by the club - Essentially a club should be a non profit making organisation. The club should have a basic constitution voted in by the club members. Part of this constituion should include some thing about accounts/finances. It is imperative that there is some control over the handling of the money. If you guys are still storing money in a tin (which I believe is still happening), you are opening yourselves up to fraud. I have heard and seen situation in at least 2 clubs where the person handling the money has effectively run off with the money leaving the club high and dry. The money should be banked, there should be at least 2 people who have to sign cheques, there should be at least 2 people who have access to the bank account (treasurer and some one else) preferably 3. Basic accounts should be made available to the membership.

The handling of money should be open to the rest of the club.

One thing to note is that the club committee is financially liable for every thing to do with the club. So you should take the finances side of things very seriously.

The committee are there to budget and formulate a financial plan to ensure the financial viability of the club for the coming year/s. Any major spends should probably be agreed as a club (but thats BIG spends!) but essentially the committee are there to ensure that the club handles the club funds responsibly.

Hope some of this is of help - and like I said none of this is meant to cause any offense so apologies if it does.

(22-03-2010 12:26 AM)nepalese ninja Wrote: [ -> ]Guys

First off let me state that I am NOT a club member though I have a vested interest in CX as a club as you are a fellow London club and I want to see the club do well.

I've been to the club twice. Once to come down and say hi, meet the committee and promote some cross club interest, rivalry and camaraderie as well. To a certain extent I and others who visit CX from Tanelorn have achieved this in the Hordes/Warmachine/Monpoc areas. Second time was to take part in an event held there.

I've about 15 years experience running the WPS (formally the Warhammer Players Society) both as a committee member and as their chairman for a good 8 years. I've a lot of experience as a TO, writing rules, running events of up to 200 players (multi-system as well.

Finally I am the founder of Tanelorn Wargames Club and am the Honorary Chairman of the club which has been established and is still running some 7 years on.

In other words I have a shed load of experience and part of my "role" in the hobby community is to impart my lessons learned and knowledge to the "next generation" of gamers.

So here goes re the points that I think its worth commenting on. Please take NONE of these comments as being negative, offensive etc etc. They are meant to be honest, open feedback and are my personal opinions from experience.

1. Venue - in all honesty the venue you have is cramped and hot. I dont know the in's and outs of the deal you have there in terms of cost of hire, storage etc but from an external point of view - its not necessarily an ideal place to play games. The other big deal I see is that people come there from work (or not) and its hard to put your bag. laptop, army cases and gaming paraphenalia any where. Basically the place feels cramped/cluttered and from a health and safety perspective, I'm sure if some one came down and saw your table layout, they may have some thing to say about it.

2. Paying Committee Members - this is not some thing that should be done. Even if its something as basic as not paying table fees, its still a form of payment. I cant remember how much the table fees are but if it was £5 per game session then, 5 x 50 (weeks) is £250 a year. Committee members should not be paid for performing their job role. Its some thing that that person has chosen to take on as a role and is volunteering their time and energy for the benefit of the club.

3. Monies held by the club - Essentially a club should be a non profit making organisation. The club should have a basic constitution voted in by the club members. Part of this constituion should include some thing about accounts/finances. It is imperative that there is some control over the handling of the money. If you guys are still storing money in a tin (which I believe is still happening), you are opening yourselves up to fraud. I have heard and seen situation in at least 2 clubs where the person handling the money has effectively run off with the money leaving the club high and dry. The money should be banked, there should be at least 2 people who have to sign cheques, there should be at least 2 people who have access to the bank account (treasurer and some one else) preferably 3. Basic accounts should be made available to the membership.

The handling of money should be open to the rest of the club.

One thing to note is that the club committee is financially liable for every thing to do with the club. So you should take the finances side of things very seriously.

The committee are there to budget and formulate a financial plan to ensure the financial viability of the club for the coming year/s. Any major spends should probably be agreed as a club (but thats BIG spends!) but essentially the committee are there to ensure that the club handles the club funds responsibly.

Hope some of this is of help - and like I said none of this is meant to cause any offense so apologies if it does.

Hallo mate,
Thanks for the tips.

The venue is the venue unless we can find an alternative and it suits the members, so we just have to wait and see how Tim's lead pans out for the time being. Perhaps we should reduce the gaming space to 5 tables.

Table fees are £3 for members and we close for December so a saving for comitte members of up to £144. I suppose it adds up. It was something that was in place when I joined and if the members find it offensive I have no problem with stripping the comittee members of this perk.

The money stuff is all sound advice and it may well be worth implementing the things that are not already being done.
The constitution part sounds a bit hardcore and i'm a little tired of trying to bringing large numers of people to a consensus (based on my experiences with online guilds)

Perhaps you could send me a copy of yours as an example so I have a better of what this entails.

Brgds,
Chris

I think London Bridge or Waterloo would also be good locations, given the transport links from there, but I guess no matter where a move would be it will never be Pareto efficient... Having more space would definitely be great, but relative location is definitely the most important for me

What does the club currently pay for using the B&C's facilities?