In The Pink
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    Great advise> Archived Message

    Posted by barbiepink on 9/21/2014, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Here is how our club started"

    I will check around for you and your area. BFC, would be a good place to ask like Margie said. They use to have a list of doll clubs on that site.

    Nan, it depends on how you would like for the club to go. Something small or something much branched out. I would set some rules; like what you allow. My group took several trips. We had small fees and each person was more than happy to contribute. I will never forget those times and the friends.

    For anyone considering this, it's not the amount of the members, it's about genuine companionship and the friendship with one another. If you want to join a large existing club, I hope you can locate one in your nearby area, Nan.

    I didn't want to increase my Barbie club. It's up to each collector and a hobbyist. I was also in a very large doll club. I already had my small club started. The large club went different ways/bringing in all sorts of non dolls and other collectibles. A lot of members who help to build the club up, felt unhappy with the sudden change and decided to leave. It was a good club, no doubt. Once they took the direction in all sorts of interests/to changing rules, things changed. Have to be prepared on the larger clubs because some want to expand memberships. I want to be around genuine collectors not being around a seller individual only. No offense meant for being a seller by any means. It was good that a person classified as a seller only could come and speak to the group as in sharing for buying tips /how to look for flaws in dolls and how to set guidelines.

    I was also in a Hallmark club. I had so much fun there. The president of that club was awesome. She was perfect for delegating different activities. She even help to write a book about ornaments. When I went back to Virginia once, I saw her. She was working at a new place. (The Williamsburg Place and Fine Collectibles) I think they changed the name now. The Hallmark franchise that she worked for had 2 stores in the same mall. Both locations were awesome with an array of things like a good stock of the Hallmark dolls then. She was ask to stay on once they combined both stores. They gave her such huge responsibilities, she had to turn them down. She stayed for months until they could replace her position; she told me. She was caring for her mom at the same time. She said she had to do this to help her mom and with no regrets, even though she had been there at this store as the manager for over 15 years.

    That club was only of Hallmark sharing and learning. It was a wonderful time then. The club is still there. Most of that longevity of the club comes from the people. Esp. the ones at the helm.

    I would say run an ad in the local paper but kind of worried to tell you to do that. I am skeptical for strangers to be in my home.

    You could ask around with church and community leaders if there is one nearby. Best of luck, Nan. Hope someone can find a list for you. Just be positive and look ahead, it will happen to such a sweet lady as you.

    --Previous Message--
    : Several collectors knew each other casually
    : from doll shows. They got together at an
    : informal meeting and decided to form a club.
    : Prior to the first official meeting, they
    : distributed flyers at a doll show (about two
    : months before the first official meeting).
    :
    : Our club has always been rather informal (we
    : don't belong to IFDC and we aren't a member
    : of steering committee). However, we do have
    : bylaws and officers. We began meeting in
    : homes, but when we grew too big we started
    : meeting in public places (usually a
    : restaurant or hotel meeting room).
    : Currently we meet in a library meeting room,
    : which is wonderful. The big problem with
    : meeting in homes is not everyone has enough
    : room or parking so it was the same people
    : hosting all the time. Also not accessible
    : for everyone. And some don't like to
    : publicly advertise their address, an open
    : invitation to burglars.
    :
    : Back in the days of the doll magazines,
    : Barbie Bazaar and Miller's used to list
    : clubs. If you belong to the BFC you might
    : want to post there and ask if there is a
    : club in your city.
    :

    Message Thread:


     

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