I don’t know if this is the right community, but I need an answer, I’ve been thinking of this for months.
Twice it happened to me, to meet people who say they are interested in X (generic topic), just like me. So we end up creating a group, all motivated, bold, and hopeful to exchange material (productions, ideas, etc.) about topic X. And twice it happened to me that I was the only active person in the group, ending up being associated with the figure of “head” of the club. Not that I don’t like taking charge of the thing, but evidently I’m not good at it at all: because no one even responds to what I share.
Of course, you can tell me to propose activities; but first of all I have no idea of what it is to be done in a club, having never been in one before; secondly, people simply ignore, or are busy with other things, and I’m not talking about people who have a career, i talk about students during holiday.
I’ve been thinking about it since January and I came up to this: the beauty of a collective entity like the club is that it allows for exchange between peers, but it only works if the peers make it work, if they “self-manage”. And I’m not talking about running a factory, I’m just talking about being able to discuss and propose recreational activities.
This led me to observe that (at least) my generation is brain dead; and I’m not saying this to be edgy, if taken as a whole these people can’t function.
Let me explain myself: when I tried to find a solution, I only found vertical realities, very similar to the school one (note: I’m from italy). Where I, or someone, give the “lesson”; where inevitably there must be a sort of messiah who brings the solution, the information, and there is never a collective construction. In one of my two experiences I noticed how in a “debate” people inevitably ended up (or just straight up answered) agreeing with me (“I think it’s like you say it is”); not because I was exhausting them, but because I was giving a complete opinion: so the “debate” died there, at the beginning. There is no verve. They are all dependent on an entity/element that thinks for them. And if i were there to “conduct” a discourse, I’d feel like the teacher who needs its pupils to develop a thought, i don’t think its fair.
And now I feel like a bit of an asshole, like Heraclitus, asking you how to wake people up; how to activate them and put them on their feet.
P.S. My two experiences involved Poetry and Politics
Does your club meet regularly? Once a week, once a month? It’s important to keep it regular. Predictability makes it easier for people to make it a routine. Meet on the same day of the week. Don’t change it to accommodate anyone. People have their own lives, don’t be hurt if they don’t show. Also know that people often will say they are interested but not follow through, that’s normal.
Meetings need to have a framework. I recently joined a club that begins each meeting by having the secretary read the minutes from the last meeting. Then they address old business and new business. The main body of the meeting is usually a guest speaker. After that members have time to check out a book from the library, pay dues, order hats or shirts.
Every organization needs a leader. It’s never going to be 100% self maintaining. That doesn’t mean you have to do all the work but you’ll have to delegate responsibilities to volunteers. Don’t micromanage them. Be grateful and complimentary, nobody’s getting paid I assume. Be willing to accept things even though they didn’t turn out how you envisioned. They’ll be more willing to take projects on when you are supportive.
I hope this helps, good luck