[ Response | Lazer Tactical Action Game Message Board ]
Posted by John Falto
on August 11, 2009, 6:10 pm, in reply to "Central Texas Lazer Tag Club???"
With 50 acres of wooded land, you could go a long way (I wish I had that land). The good thing about the LTTO brand is that it has built in game styles that you can mix and match with. I would suggest you visit Greg Gaub's great web page devoted to the LTTO/LTX. It can be seen at http://www.ggaub.com/ltag/index.html, but for game ideas using the built in games of the LTTO I suggest you go to his page at http://www.ggaub.com/ltag/games.html. For myself I use the older Electronic Survivor Shot and play straight tag games, but with missions and side goals. You may want to look at my site for ideas at http://cflazertag.com
Unless you are doing tag as a business venture or within a school/church as an activity, then making a formal club doesn't really mean anything, as opposed to a general gathering of friends to play LT. From my own experience and from what I have heard from others over the years, truth be told, all the work will usually fall on one individual. So to answer an un-asked question: "how many people do I need to start a club/group?" - ONE!
Using myself as an example, my group is the Central Florida Lazer Tag Group. In essence it is a one man operation. I own and maintain the 30 (plus) taggers and props. I purchased the tent/screen pavilion, I bring a table and a few fold-up chairs, I bring the water cooler and few snacks and pretty much supply the batteries. It's a miracle I have any energy to play, after everything is set up (well my wife, daughter and her boyfriend lend a helping hand too - a small hand =) ). Now having a lot of hands, really is helpful but can also lead to problems, whereas you need to become a manager, and stop having fun.
An upper limit of how many players per game, depends on how many organizers you have. I have actually seen large scale games of over 100 players BUT, there were established rules of engagement, and there were judges, referees, gamemasters (whatever you want to call them) overseeing everything. I have actually heard many group leaders claim that smaller games are better and more focused. Less explaining to do, more informal and friendly.
Having a disclaimer is good, no matter what form your group takes, but truth be told... it's value is only as much as the paper that it is printed on. I have seen so many people taken to court, or have to pay damages, even with a disclaimer or waiver that it is not funny. There is an old saying "locks were meant for honest people"! 'nuff said.
That you should have some sort of name and a web presence should be taken into consideration, even if you leave it informal. The web presence would be a good way of highlighting your groups activities, recruiting new members and communicating with your current members. A site much like a YAHOO (or similar) site does the trick; is cheap and easy to maintain. My only other suggestion is if you can find a service that sends text messages to all your members cell phones as once, would be better. I have to come realize that not everyone reads their emails as often as I do. This is good for announcing games or last minute cancellations.
The name, should just be something to point out where you are and what you do.
Raising money is always an issue, and again, unless this is a business venture or a school/church sponsored activity, the only funding will be your own wallet. The best you can hope for is encourage all your players to have their own taggers, and equipment. Also to bring whatever they will need during the day (chairs, food, beverage, etc). From my group, I get batteries.
Now the million dollar question is getting members. Sometimes the best recruiting comes from within your own ranks (this could be co-workers, fellow students, church members, families, whatever circles you move around in). Just asking members to bring one guest with them for the next game is enough. Get their contact information and ask them if it's okay to invite them to the next game. If they say yes, then next time, they have to bring a new member. For those in your group that may not want to do this, explain to them, that having more players will give them more targets to hunt down. That usually brings a smile to the face!
To bring a long post to a close, I would also recommend setting aside one day a month that you will always have a game, with a raindate. Either the 2nd Saturday of every month, or the third Sunday (for example). This will allow members to mentally set aside time to participate. This in no way means that you can't have more games, or impromptu games. It simply adds structure.
Hope that helps!
"tagging with extreme prejudice"
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