What changed
Starting a club — edited Aug 29, 2026 by Unknown editor
This is the first recorded version, so every line is shown as added. Note: Imported from content/wiki
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## The minimum
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Three or four people, a regular meeting time and a place that is free. Libraries, fire stations,
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churches, pizza restaurants and hospital community rooms all host clubs. Publicise it on local
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repeaters, on the NARA [club directory](https://usnara.org/find-a-club) and at nearby hamfests.
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## The first year
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- Pick a fixed schedule — the second Tuesday of the month forever beats a schedule people must look
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up.
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- Start a **weekly net**; it keeps the club alive between meetings. See
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[running a net](/wiki/clubs/running-a-net).
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- Run one public activity — [Field Day](/wiki/clubs/field-day), a park activation, a school demo.
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- Write simple bylaws and elect officers, even with eight members. It prevents most of the disputes
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clubs eventually have.
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## Formalising
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- **Club call sign** — apply through a VEC with a trustee who holds the license.
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- **EIN** from the IRS, free, needed for a bank account.
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- **State incorporation** as a nonprofit corporation — usually inexpensive.
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- **501(c)(3)** status if you will accept donations or grants; the ARRL and NARA can advise, and
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small organisations may use the streamlined Form 1023-EZ.
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- **Insurance** if you hold public events or use a repeater site.
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## Keeping it alive
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The clubs that fail are the ones that become five retirees discussing the repeater's autopatch. The
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ones that thrive teach classes, welcome newcomers on the first night, and give every new member a
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job within a month.