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