How to save the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Board Games Club? (Part 2)

As reported in this previous post, the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Board Games Club (NPBGC) was due to be dissolved on 1 April 2014 due to a lack of members and the fact that the Ngee Ann Library has a board games room (BGR), so a separate club seemed superfluous. Well, it seems that the club has been given a reprieve, but they have had the following draconian measures imposed on them:

1. The club now gets to use the BGR as their base of operations: a large, fully renovated room with custom-built tables and chairs, display shelves full of games and a sound system;
2. Club members get paid a good wage to man the counter of the BGR;
3. The club can now use the library's much larger budget to buy games, including multiple copies of games in order to hold competitions

This is the price for poor running of the club. Let this be a lesson to you all.

All kidding aside, it's not just a bigger room, money and more games. Ultimately, their reprieve is only for one year, and by 1 April 2015 they have to get their membership numbers up to at least 40 and increase the number of game loans from the BGC by an unspecified amount. It is also their job to schedule the members to man the counters at all times.

The biggest issue is the membership numbers, which is why the upcoming CCA Fiesta that introduces all the CCA's in Ngee Ann Polytechnic to freshmen is so important. This is their best chance to attract new members, to introduce the hobby and show everyone that board games is so much more than Monopoly or chess.

The decor in the Board Games Room does not help

The CCA Fiesta this year will be held from 22-24 April 2014 at the Sports Complex. Each CCA will be given a small booth, and the trick is to somehow attract the attention of eager young freshmen and distinguish themselves from over 100 other CCA's. The NPBGC committee has been working hard to come up with a plan. The last I heard, the current plan is to use a combination of visually appealing games and prizes to lure the attendees in, a few short games that they can try out to get an idea of what board games is about, and then to lead them to the BGR where the meatier games will be on display. Hopefully, this will be enough to get some students to sign on the dotted line.

This is the crucial first step in the revival of the club. Any readers out there, if you happen to be around during this period, it would be worth your while to drop by the NPBGC booth. If you don't know much about board games, here's your chance to find out. Oh, and bring a friend, or two, or twenty. The NPBGC is understaffed but enthusiastic, and boardgaming is a worthwhile hobby that really needs to be more widespread.

Will this be enough to save the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Board Games Club? Stay tuned!