Hi Matt, yes, I can tell folks a basic run down of what is needed.

How to form a local plant club:

A mailing list or a forum is better.
That is the main cost.

How to pay for it?
Plant sales to Aqua Bid, local fish society clubs love the weed sales, LFS's, forum sales.

Within the club: monthly plant swaps are often the best method to attract new folks and get them to meetings.

Open houses are fun, form good friendships and the4 sales from plants pay the host the extra cost incurred as well.


Tank redo's for an open house is also good, so that other's can learn from the folks with the scaping skills and ability. There's always one in every group and one person who is clueless about any sense of design.

Local speaker wrangling for the local fish club/society is another way to piggy back the cost for speakers, generally a few speakers and you likely will not wanna see them again after folks get good enough and see how things are done.

The list/forum keeps folks tied together well, announcements etc.
The plant sales reduces of eliminates the cost of membership dues.
Monthly plant swaps allow you to trade the plants you might not have enough room for but still want to have the option to sue without having to mail order etc.

Fertilizer and group buys are also very good with clubs, this reduces cost for everyone.

One person is chosen to deal with the $$, generally a web guy and host type person, so 3 folks is about all you really need.


Regards,
Tom Barr