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How to Form a Women's Group Kitchen Table Club

Women's book clubs or craft groups are sometimes referred to as kitchen table clubs since the participants usually gather around a kitchen table. This is not always the case, of course. In large part, it depends upon the type of group and the activities that will take place during the meeting. Starting a women's group is easy and inexpensive and allows for new friendships to be made while strengthening the bond between old friends.

Instructions

- 1
  Invite women of all ages and backgrounds to join the group. Co-workers, long-time friends, neighbors or friends from church are all sources from which to pull group members. Give careful thought to the topics that will be discussed and how different people may interact with each other. A reading club may have eight to 12 members, while a craft group may consist of fewer people, due to space constraints.
- 2
  Decide on a theme and determine how often to meet. Women's reading groups may meet only once every month or two, depending on the length and difficulty of the books chosen. Groups that are craft-based, such as scrapbooking, cooking, quilting or knitting, typically meet more frequently.
- 3
  Determine a meeting place and time. Reading groups can take place at a coffeehouse, cafe or quiet restaurant, as well as at the home of a group member. Craft meetings are most successful when held at someone's home or a space that has been reserved for use by the group, such as a church hall. Discuss the most appropriate time for the group to meet. Keep in mind that the day and time chosen may affect the availablity of a meeting place.
- 4
  Set a meeting schedule. Create a schedule in which the planning responsibilities are regularly rotated among group members. This is especially important if meetings are to be held at a member's home. While each meeting may be centered on a similar task (e.g. discuss the book, quilt or scrapbook), one person should not be consistently responsible for hosting the entire group or reserving the meeting hall.
- 5
  Discuss what will be expected from the members of the group. If it is a book club, determine how much of the book should be read prior to the next meeting. For a craft or sewing club, determine if all craft items brought to the meetings will be shared among the group or if each person is responsible for her own supplies.
- 6
  Be flexible as the group gets more acquainted. A woman's group that meets regularly will transform naturally as the group members become more comfortable with one another. Allow for plenty of free conversation time and do not follow a strict schedule at each meeting.

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