Since we began profiling communities in Woodworks, there have been several questions on how to start and run a local Elfwood community. This guide hopes to answer some of those questions, and get you started on a community of your own.
Why would I want to join a community?
There are several benefits from being involved in a local community that an international community cannot offer. Some people find communities useful to find items that are not available in their town, but which can be found in another town within the country. Others see it as a good way to keep in touch with fellow countrymen with the same interests. Maybe there are issues relevant to you as a fantasy artist in your country that your friends in another country may not understand.
Hatching Stages
Every beginning needs two things - an interest, and someone to get the ball rolling. Absolutely nothing gets done if ten people agree that it'd be nice to have this community, but no one makes a real effort to gather together those who are interested.
So, you're interested in starting a group for members in your state or country. Take the initiative. Pull up the Elfwood search engine and enter a search string for your area. Copy down email addresses and mail them. All you need to ask is, "Hey, I'm thinking of getting together Elfwood members from our country so that we can get to know each other, share resources and maybe do some projects. Let me know if you are interested."
If they are interested, they will answer. If they aren't they will either let you know, or ignore your email. That is ok. If you don't get a reply, don't bother them or add them to the group without their consent; some people only want to put their work in Elfwood, not talk to other members as well.
Do you have enough shows of hands? Good. On to the next step.
Get together? Where?
It is only proper that you first communicate through a mailing list or forum. Most people will not jump straight into a face-to-face meeting with people they barely know, so explore some options. When you first email them, ask those who are keen on joining to let you know how they prefer to communicate.
Mailing lists are ideal whether you are a group of ten, or a congregation of two hundred. There are other options, like forums, that offer the ability to organise your discussion threads. This is especially useful if you have a big, busy group. Members who IRC a lot might like a chatroom of their own, while those who have LiveJournals might opt for a community there.
It all depends on your group needs, but whatever you choose, make sure you make it as accessible as possible. Not everyone likes or wants to IRC, and not everyone wants to get a journal for the purpose of joining a community. See what your potential members say and take all that into consideration. Start with the most convenient method; you can always upgrade later.
Some countries are large enough to make it difficult or expensive to travel to a venue. This should not be your first priority in putting a group together, but if you decide to meet up with fellow Elfwooders at a con, it never hurts to find out if anyone is interested in keeping in touch after the event.
I have a community. Now what?
The activity level within a community is hugely reliant on its members. Some groups may organise frequent face-to-face get-togethers, while others may be content with the occasional spurt of email. If you jump in with a list of projects, prepare for the possibility of disappointment. Creating a community only requires interest; keeping it buzzing with activity is another matter altogether, and that's not always within your control.
Below are some suggestions on what you can do with your community, provided your members are just as enthusiastic about it:
Projects
You are likely to have a good mixture of artists and writers in your group, so start an art or writing project. Retell or illustrate a local folklore that can later be placed in Elfwood. Throw out a random theme and see what each member comes up with. Explore the myths and fantasy in your own culture. You might be surprised by the amount of material found practically in your backyard.
Go to an event
Is there a fantasy fair happening in your area? Are you visiting a local art or comic convention? This might be a great time to kill two birds with one stone - you get to visit the event, as well as meet up with fellow Elfwooders. Dutchelfwood has done it. Some Elfwooders in California recently met up at Anime Expo 2002. Look out for opportunities to do the same in your own country or state.
Item trade
Can't find kneadable erasers or a certain brand of markers in your town? Find out if anyone in your group knows where to get them. It might be cheaper and less complicated than ordering from overseas. There is also an endless array of other items you can exchange or trade; just make sure it isn't something illegal!
Security and Privacy
Because you'll be in touch with people who may live just minutes away, it is important to keep personal safety in mind. Don't give out your phone number to people you barely know, and don't tell near-strangers where you live. When meeting up in real life, always meet in a public place, like at the mall or a café where there are plenty of other people around.
Conclusion
Should you limit your group to those only from your country? Not necessarily. Dutchelfwood encompasses members from both the Netherlands and Belgium. ElfwoodUK went for the whole of UK rather than limiting it to Elfwood Scotland or England. Elfwood Malaysia recently decided to 'adopt' members from neighbouring countries that don't have enough people to form a community of their own. A community is an evolving entity that cannot be placed into a box. Keep your mind and your options open, and most importantly, have fun.
List of existing Elfwood Communities
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