Qualifications to join a LUG?

[Mike S]

Every now and then I come across a reference to LUG benefits and I remember what I am missing out on. However I have come to the conclusion that I evidently not qualify for a LUG. I tried contacting the LUG nearest me three times with no response. Then I heard there were online LUGs but further investigation showed that it was invitation only. Since I have never been invited and neither did the local LUG seem interested in me joining as I never heard back from them, I assume that I do not meet the qualifications. However it would be nice to know what qualifications I lack and whether joining a LUG is something that might be possible for me in the future...

[Jared]

Every now and then I come across a reference to LUG benefits and I remember what I am missing out on. However I have come to the conclusion that I evidently not qualify for a LUG. I tried contacting the LUG nearest me three times with no response. Then I heard there were online LUGs but further investigation showed that it was invitation only. Since I have never been invited and neither did the local LUG seem interested in me joining as I never heard back from them, I assume that I do not meet the qualifications. However it would be nice to know what qualifications I lack and whether joining a LUG is something that might be possible for me in the future...

Last time I checked the admittance standard is that you have to be a fan of lego, and your initiation ceremony is lighting fire to whatever megabloks you have. ;)

All jokes aside that's really strange. What's the lug you applied to? I may know someone in there. Sometimes people are busy and it takes a while to get back. Sometimes they may need a push or recommendation. Whatever the case, try again. Most local lugs aren't really discriminatory... I do know some lugs have rules about maximum membership allowed, so it may be that the lug is full. You like LEGO, so I don't see any lacking qualifications that I would have. Whatever the case may be, keep trying. You seem like a chill person. ;) Good luck! Hopefully someone with more experience will read this and help you out.

[dr_spock]

Qualifications vary from LUG to LUG. Our requirements are published in our by-laws. Are these active LUGs you're applying to? Check out their website (or Facebook page), if they have meetings or events scheduled soon, try showing up in person.

[Mike S]

Last time I checked the admittance standard is that you have to be a fan of lego, and your initiation ceremony is lighting fire to whatever megabloks you have. ;)

All jokes aside that's really strange. What's the lug you applied to? I may know someone in there. Sometimes people are busy and it takes a while to get back. Sometimes they may need a push or recommendation. Whatever the case, try again. Most local lugs aren't really discriminatory... I do know some lugs have rules about maximum membership allowed, so it may be that the lug is full. You like LEGO, so I don't see any lacking qualifications that I would have. Whatever the case may be, keep trying. You seem like a chill person. ;) Good luck! Hopefully someone with more experience will read this and help you out.

Qualifications vary from LUG to LUG. Our requirements are published in our by-laws. Are these active LUGs you're applying to? Check out their website (or Facebook page), if they have meetings or events scheduled soon, try showing up in person.

Thanks for the replies. GFLUG is the only LUG I would have any chance at having access to but it seems to be mostly a train LUG with limited activity other than being at all the Lego conventions across the US. I was thinking about participating in Brickworld Tampa as it is the closest Lego convention but then I discovered the following: "This is not an AFOL convention. Displays are by invitation only."

Edit: I guess I just have to move to Canada if I want to get invited... [Joke] I just realized you both were from Canada.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Mike S

[tedbeard]

Our LUG requires three things: 1) you must be a fan of LEGO; 2) you must be 18 or older; and, 3) you must live in the general area or come to our events on a regular basis.

Not to make excuses or claim any sort of actual knowledge but perhaps you need to try and contact GFLUG a different way? Sometimes email addresses are abandoned or "contact" people move without changing the club contact info. The best way is to simply show up at something they are doing, admire their display and ask a real live person about joining.

[Mike S]

Our LUG requires three things: 1) you must be a fan of LEGO; 2) you must be 18 or older; and, 3) you must live in the general area or come to our events on a regular basis.

Not to make excuses or claim any sort of actual knowledge but perhaps you need to try and contact GFLUG a different way? Sometimes email addresses are abandoned or "contact" people move without changing the club contact info. The best way is to simply show up at something they are doing, admire their display and ask a real live person about joining.

I tried both email and Facebook. I didn't really expect any response from Facebook as I saw a lot of spam, perhaps their email is spammed as well. LUG activity also seemed to be on the decline during the time I tried to join as well, which is why I posted here. Perhaps someone in the know can help me out to what my options are. Is GFLUG my only option? Also why is the only BrickWorld that I have access to is "This is not an AFOL convention. Displays are by invitation only."?

[tedbeard]

Also why is the only BrickWorld that I have access to is "This is not an AFOL convention. Displays are by invitation only."?

That is a good question. While I am not a full on "communitarian", the essence of AFOL events and LUGs has always seemed to me to be inclusiveness.

We have one local annual "event" where it stopped being an all-inclusive display to an invitation-only display. It is for a small local history museum who now want "themed" creations so not our call. That said I still feel dirty if I participate, and excluded if I am not "invited".

Whatever is going on down your way, I hope you can connect with other AFOLs somehow. It is worth it to share coffee or beer with someone who "gets" our brand of geekdom.

[Darkdragon]

Also why is the only BrickWorld that I have access to is "This is not an AFOL convention. Displays are by invitation only."?

Brickworld in Chicago allows anyone to register a MOC for display (with the appropriate entrance fee paid). The other ones are displays by invitation only and there are no standard convention things like workshops and such. So it's more like a display for the public and much smaller than the main show in June.

[Mike S]

Brickworld in Chicago allows anyone to register a MOC for display (with the appropriate entrance fee paid). The other ones are displays by invitation only and there are no standard convention things like workshops and such. So it's more like a display for the public and much smaller than the main show in June.

I understand about the Chicago show but I certainly am not driving 2600 miles round trip just so I can show my MOCs especially since I don't know anyone there. All I'm saying is that accessibility seems to be really lacking for an event that from what I understand is to get more people involved in building with Lego.

[Darkdragon]

You'd hae to talk to Bryan about that, but creating and running a full Brickworld convention isn't simple and needs a lot of fans willing to come out. People drive and fly into BWChicago every year and many do it from a lot farther than FL. It is a long way to go but it's more than showing off your MOCs, it's hanging out with cool fun people, particpating in the event (MOCs, contests, workshops, and presentations).

There are still very few full conventions each year in North America. There's Brickworld Chicago, BrickCon (Seattle WA), Brickfair VA, Brick Fiesta TX, and BrickFete in Canada. Those are the main ones and they cover a LOT of miles. In FL, you really aren't near any of them. Even being in OKlahoma, I'm 9 hours drive from the nearest one.

But I digress, we are traveling quite far from your original post now and nearly into another proper forum. Really posting in the Brickworld sub-forum about Brickworld is probably best if you have more questions about that in particular.

If there isn't an active LUG in your area and you want to be a part of one, make your own. It's a lot of work but it's how things get going.

[Mike S]

It seems like I have a revolving door problem. It seems the place to meet people that are in the know about LUGs in my area is at Brickworld Chicago. I won't be attending Brickworld Chicago anytime soon, so I won't be meeting the people I need to in order to join a LUG. As far as starting a LUG, I think the odds are against me as I don't know one person that is interested in Lego other than those I know online.

[dr_spock]

http://www.gflug.org/calendar.htm

It looks like GFLUG is attending BrickWorld Tampa. You could show up there as part of the public. Entrance fee is $12. Find the GFLUG people and talk to them about their LUG. See what kind of things they are into and do those things match your own interest. Do you feel comfortable hanging out with those guys? If current local LUGs are not a good fit for you, you can try to start your own. One way to meet and find people of similar interest is attend events. If you have a local LEGO store, you can ask around, chat with AFOL looking people at the Buiid A Model wall, etc. Be creative in recruiting.

[Blakstone]

Mike, then break it down into smaller steps. You can just create a Facebook group to start some local conversation going. In time you might add some in person meetings. If you do that you might just jumpstart the inactive LUG or start a new one.

[Mike S]

http://www.gflug.org/calendar.htm

It looks like GFLUG is attending BrickWorld Tampa. You could show up there as part of the public. Entrance fee is $12. Find the GFLUG people and talk to them about their LUG. See what kind of things they are into and do those things match your own interest. Do you feel comfortable hanging out with those guys? If current local LUGs are not a good fit for you, you can try to start your own. One way to meet and find people of similar interest is attend events. If you have a local LEGO store, you can ask around, chat with AFOL looking people at the Buiid A Model wall, etc. Be creative in recruiting.

Mike, then break it down into smaller steps. You can just create a Facebook group to start some local conversation going. In time you might add some in person meetings. If you do that you might just jumpstart the inactive LUG or start a new one.

Thank you both for your advice! I think I will just hone my MOCing skills for now. It will be easier to get something like that going if I have a larger collection of 'wow" quality builds.

[Jared]

Edit: I guess I just have to move to Canada if I want to get invited... [Joke] I just realized you both were from Canada.

Hey, we won't turn you down! Seriously though, you're welcome to our lug anytime. We take strays and turn them into celebrities ;)

Not just from Canada, but from the same LUG too, and we're great friends in real life! We both have a passion for THUNDERBIRDS!

*Edit: Also listen to Doc Spock. He knows what he's talking about!

Edited August 1, 2015 by Jared