Once the ideal book club basics are outlined, the next step in forming a reading group is to decide on exactly who to invite. This decision hinges on personality factors that should be carefully evaluated before extending the invitation.
Basic Considerations for Choosing Book Club Members
While book clubs should be as diverse as possible, there are some factors that make one person a more desirable candidate for inclusion than another. Some important things to consider when initially inviting people to join a new reading group include:
- Dependability. A book club is just like any other group and members need to hold themselves to certain levels of dependability. Is a potential member dependable? Can they be relied upon to attend meetings? Can they be counted on to help with refreshments, set up/clean up and any other tasks that might be required of them? Do they have a lot of other commitments (children's activities, a second job, an ill relative) that might interfere with their ability to participate fully in the group? Because space is generally limited, would this member be taking up space for someone who is better suited as a participant?
- A good listener and a good talker. A potential member should feel comfortable fulfilling the role of both listener and speaker. Is this person opinionated? Can this person be a little too bigoted at times? Is this person's opinion likely to cause conflict or lively discussion? Does this person respect the rights of other members to speak their mind and their opinions as well? It is important that members have the acute ability to know when to talk and when to listen.
- An avid reader. Probably the most important factor in deciding whether a potential member is well-suited for a new book club is determining if they can and will do the readings. Think about the kinds of books the club will likely read. Does a potential member have the skills necessary to read at that level and complete the book within the decided time frame? Is this person also capable of forming topics and questions to bring to the meeting?
These are the basics that every member should possess as they form a strong backbone for an enjoyable and mutually beneficial group dynamic.
Additional Considerations for Choosing Book Club Members
- Commitment Level. A potential member should be willing to participate in the monthly meetings. Does this person have the necessary time available to commit to the group? Does he or she have a reliable babysitter if childcare is a concern?
- Courteous. Since most book clubs strictly adhere to a time schedule for each meeting, it is important that members are prompt. Does this person have a history of being late? It is also important for the dialog to be free-flowing between all members of the group. Does this potential member have a habit of cutting off others in mid-sentence? Is this person argumentative or always has to be right?
Once the book club has a group of potential participants lined up, approach the members and try to gauge their level of interest. After a firm number of people is finalized, the finishing touches of the group can be organized, including financial concerns, choosing selections, outlining a meeting and hosting a discussion.
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