As a follow-up to the last Dispatch article on wargame clubs, here is a description of Old Colony Wargamers; a club in the Boston area (Brockton) of which I am a member.
O.C.W. has about 14 members at present. The club run along fairly formal lines with an elected Director, club constitution and dues of $2.00 per member per week, present or not. Members are encouraged to bring guests who are required to kick in $1.00 for the evening.
The group meets once a week for gaming, with a weekend game once every two months on average, [although the interests of group members cover [other aspects of the hobby (ea. boardgaming) 0.C.W. is a miniatures club and miniatures is all we play when the group meets. Individual group members also game with other wargamers outside the club on a regular basis. These other gamers do not join O.C.W. In many cases because they do not wish to be "tied in" to such a formal organization. Gaming both inside and outside the club, most 0.C.W. members wargame a great deal, and have a lot of time invested in the hobby.
The rules sets we use most often are: Column, Line and Square (Napoleonic); W.R.G. Ancient's (6th); Ship of the Line (Napoleonic naval); and Sword and Flame (colonial). We also use our own unpublished or adapted rules for Napoleonic, A.C.W., E.C W., American Revolution and Medieval Skirmish. Occasionally we play armour games using W.R.G. Armour rules, and WWII naval gaming the General Quarters rule set. In addition to this list we have tried several other rules sets with mediocre or poor results. We do, however, plan to continue to try new rules as they become available.
The figures used during group games are mostly 25mm. However, the club does own (collectively) a large quantity of 15mm A.C.W. figures, in additon to 25mm Napoleonic figures mounted for Column, Line & Square. The dues we had amassed went into buying the 25mm figures and, at the moment, the club is flat broke. Group members own (and contribute for group use) their own armies in both 15mm and 25mm. As a group we are joining the trend towards 15mm scale figures.
We are lucky enough to have, at minimal rent, a basement to meet where the tables, fugures and paraphenalia can be left from week to week. Thus we avoid the travelling circus syndrome that afflicts some other miniatures players with no permanent meeting place.
As in any group we have differences of opinion. These rarely escalate into serious arguments. We sort out any problems at a business meeting held about every 12 weeks on average. At this meeting we discuss our differences, any points of interest, elect new members (if any) and plan our gaming schedule for the next 12 weeks.
Anyone in the Boston area interested in knowing more about O.C.W. is welcome to write to me, Rob MacLean, c/o The Courier, and I'll be happy to pass inquiries on to our current Director. I'm also interested in hearing from other gamers on the subject of Wargame Clubs and Organizations.
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