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North Coast Gamers

Chapters near you!

Ohio

Greater Cleveland Chapter

Coordinator: Dan Dunchak, DanDunchak_NorthCoastGamers.org

With over 1,000 members across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, the North Coast Gamers brings friendly and fun events to your neighborhood! There are dozens of events every month that bring people together for a healthy mix of fun, education, competition and conversation through traditional games.

Euro games, board games, miniature fantasy and historical games, and roleplaying games are among the favorite games that our members love to play! We are always looking for new friends to join us.

Akron - Canton Chapter

Coordinator: James Hecker, JamesHecker_NorthCoastGamers.org

Lorain Chapter

Coordinator: Admin_NorthCoastGamers.org

Penn - Ohio Chapter

Coordinator: John Hazen, JohnHazen_NorthCoastGamers.org

Toledo Chapter (Meetup Group)

Coordinator: Matt Cochoran, MattCochoran_NorthCoastGamers.org

Pennsylvania

Penn - Ohio Chapter

Coordinator: John Hazen, JohnHazen_NorthCoastGamers.org

Greater Erie Chapter

Coordinator: Eric Lamoureux, EricLamoureux_NorthCoastGamers.org

Greater Pittsburgh Chapter

Coordinator: John Hazen, JohnHazen_NorthCoastGamers.org

Mission

The mission of the North Coast Gamersl is to provide communities with the opportunities to bring people together for a healthy mix of fun, education, competition and conversation through games of various types. Social interaction thrives within the group dynamics that makes games an excellent way of getting to know and understand and communicate with people who might not be in one's family or typical circle of friends. The North Coast Gamers strives to enable people of their own community to participate in, experience and enjoy the fun and enjoyment that is gaming. The North Coast Gamers' organizational role is to assist and support its gaming groups and individuals who are engaged in efforts designed to enhance the social interaction of the community through gaming. What are our goals?We work to develop and enhance social interaction and inclusion and personal enjoyment of the gaming for members by: Maintaining an organization of gamers from all genres from throughout region.To provide interested, new, and experienced gamers with a way to find and contact others with similar interestsTo provide a place and the resources for members to play and learn, and to discuss current events in gaming. To have fun!Our current repertoire of games in the club is vast as each gamer has his/her own interests and knowledge. Members and non-members can come to events, bring their own games and/or play games other brings. If the game is new to you, we'll teach it! No experience necessary but we rely on our experienced gamers as well for that friendly competition that the veterans bring to the table. Most new members have never played anything before - so don't be shy if you're interested, and come out to a meeting!

Membership

Our Membership is Completely Free!We don't charge to have fun. Membership to the North Coast Gamers is free of charge and open to all ages. We welcome all levels of experience; having individuals who have never played to those having years of experience. We also encourage our members to bring friends as well! Some events may not be suitable to certain ages, so it is best to reach out to the host of a particular event to see the typical ages or if there are any other age restrictions to the event. Since the group events will be in both private homes, public venues and in local shops, we expect all players to be respectful to other players and their homes/businesses. It is completely FREE to join the North Coast Gamers! Donations to become a 'Supporting Member' are completely optional, but they do offer some added benefits. For only $5.00 a YEAR, you can upgrade from being an 'Associate Member' to being a 'Supporting Member'! This is a great deal that provides a large number of benefits over and above the great gaming you get with the associate membership. To encourage younger members to get into the hobby of gaming, all those under the age of 18 years are automatically upgraded to being a Supporting Member with all its benefits! All they have to do is sign up and make sure they are in the membership roster and then their parent/guardian simply needs to send a confirmation stating they are under 18! Just that simple. Being a Supporting Member ($5.00/year) brings with it special benefits in the organization: Automatic entry in our Game-a-Month GiveawaysDiscounts at sponsoring game shops (when your membership card is shown)50% discounts at Origins Game Fair and discounts at other conventions and eventsAutomatic entry into our Gen Con giveaway Check out privileges of our Game Library Online access to the NCG Steam account and library of PC games Supporting Member events Membership to all North Coast Gamers chapter events regardless of the city Discounts off of special North Coast Nero Events Access to our sponsor's yearly Summer Sale (huge discounts on hundreds of games and supplies) ...and many other sponsorships and discounts throughout the year! Please consider upgrading to a Supporting Member of the North Coast Gamers. We really need your help, and in return, there are some great benefits! To become a supporting member, simply send $5.00 to membership_NorthCoastGamers.org via www.Paypal.com (please use 'Personal Payment' as the type of payment). Otherwise, you can contact your chapter coordinator to see how else your Supporting Membership donation can be sent. (All finances are available upon written request to our Board's Treasurer, Sean Hartwell (SeanHartwell_NorthCoastGamers.org)Membership Code of ConductLast Updated: September 12th, 2010As part of North Coast Gamers commitment to keep gaming fun and enjoyable for everyone as well as a great place to meet and interact with other gamers, members and guests of the websites (hereafter referred to as 'Sites' ) managed by the North Coast Gamers agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. All members and guests are responsible abiding by these conduct rules and the terms of the websites to ensure that everyone feels welcome. All events and social networking aspects of the Sites are subject to the Code of Conduct . This includes, without limitation, account names, group/clan names, event names, profile content, blog content and comments, chat and forum activity, e-mail or private messages to any members, guests or staff.Violation of the Code of Conduct rules is potentially grounds for membership termination. Termination includes you forfeiting all product/content associated with your account and being no longer permitted use of our online services or tools in any way. The Board of Directors of the North Coast Gamers are the final judges of whether a member's /guest's behavior qualifies as inappropriate or a disruption . Chapter Coordinators determine and resolve immediate issues and assist in determining if a person's misconduct warrants dismissal or other action.This Code of Conduct is subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the North Coast Gamers coordinator and/or Board of Directors.1. Due to the public nature of our activities, members must use their first and last name as their profile name. This provides us with greater accuracy of bookkeeping and allows our partners to grant benefits directly to members. Names cannot impersonate or represent a specific business or website, including any business or website you may operate or represent without specific permission from the chapter's coordinator. We encourage games stores, coffee shops, etc who support the group advertising their businesses on the site so long as it is in good taste and doesn't interfere with the primary objective of the web site.2. Do not use, post, distribute or link to obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, graphically or gratuitously violent, derogatory, demeaning, malicious, defamatory, abusive, offensive, hateful or discriminatory language or content. This includes "masking" language by using alternative characters/spelling /spacing to get around profanity filters or claims of profanity filter testing."3. Do not harass, bully, threaten, harm or cause discomfort for other persons, including any other members. For example:• Harass a specific person (repeated flaming, personal attacks or posting their private information) • Troll or bait the community in general with inflammatory statements, such as ones designed to elicit a negative response from the community • Use hate speech or racial, ethnic, sexist, homophobic or religious slurs • Post or otherwise disclose any personal or private information of another person, or any confidential information pertaining to a business, without consent 4. Do not promote, plan, glorify or engage in any illegal activity or otherwise make available content that would encourage or provide instructions for a criminal offense. These topics include crimes relating to drugs, drug paraphernalia, rape, solicitation of a minor, computer hacking, and copyright violation.5. Do not impersonate other persons, including members of the North Coast Gamers staff, by screen name or self-representation , or attempt to obtain sensitive information from other members. For example: • Falsely claim an official title or to hold position relating to the North Coast Gamers, Social Interactions, Inc., or any of its affiliate divisions• Falsely claim the representation of another business or website • Fake an existing members screen name by using similar-looking characters • Spoof or emote another members text in a chat room, forum, or other channel • Falsely claim to be a law enforcement officer • Solicit passwords or personal information from other members 6. Do not disrupt chat, forums, calendar events, blog comments , photographs or other communication channels. For example:• Spam through repeated posts/RSVPs, or off-topic content by word or intent to forums or comments (scrolling, flooding, polling, or by "bumping" a post more than once in 48 hours) • Make repeated off-topic posts • Advertise trades or sales outside of the designated areas 7. Do not advertise unapproved activities or businesses. This includes: • Advertising matches that card gamble/play for ante• Advertising player-run tournaments that are not North Coast Gamer events or approved by the North Coast Gamers• Advertising other groups, clubs, events that are not North Coast Gamer events or approved by the North Coast Gamers • Advertising trades or sales outside of the designated areas • Advertise or promote a business or commercial website outside of the designated areas or without special permission from the North Coast Gamers coordinator• Sending unsolicited commercial or purportedly informational messages to any members8. Do not attempt to use or gain access to another's accounts or service, engage another member under false pretenses or otherwise defraud another member. Anyone linking to, posting, distributing or promoting hacks, modifications, viruses, or password mining websites may face legal action in addition to normal account penalties.9. Do not attempt to artificially alter the outcome of a league, sanctioned event, or organized game. For example:• Bribe or offer compensation in order to change the game outcome • Stall, spam, harass, or behave in any unsportsmanlike manner that affects the game 10. To further the growth and interest in gaming, all North Coast Gamers game events that are held at public facilities must abide by the policies for that particular location. No collections or solicitations for contributions or memberships may be taken at these public venues. This includes, in particular, all library events. 11. Do not disrespect companies or public buildings that will be hosting North Coast Gamers events. This includes but not restricted to:• Eating / Drinking in areas otherwise restricted from doing so• Smoking in areas that forbid smoking. presume all private homes restrict smoking unless otherwise told• Bringing in personal food/drink in establishments that sell food and drink.• Staying beyond times of event ending or after published closing times of the establishment without expressed permissionExplanation of Disciplinary Escalation and Procedures If a member of North Coast Gamers has demonstrated he or she cannot follow this Code of Conduct, the Website Terms of Use, or the Terms of Service of our hosting site, then the member may lose access to ALL of his or her accounts and all associated content and screen names.Moderators may issue formal warnings, by post, private message or email when a member has made a Code of Conduct infraction. Depending on the severity of the infraction, North Coast Gamers may issue a warning, timed suspension or termination of the account.This explanation of disciplinary procedure is meant to be a guideline for members to understand what their status may be with regard to the process. It is only a guideline and the North Coast Gamers and the oard of Directors of social Interactions, Inc. may deviate from this procedure at any time in any manner it deems appropriate without notice.
Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events

Ohio

Greater Cleveland Calendar

Akron - Canton Calendar

The North Coast Gamers has dozens of events near you for all kinds of gaming fun! Click on the calendar of the chapter closest to you and get in on the action!

Pennsylvania

Games for Troops Campaign

Dear Friends, The North Coast Gamers and Social Interactions, Inc. is once again starting their "Game for Troops" campaign. This is the third year for this program and it has been a fantastic success! Each year our group collects board games, card games, roleplaying games, and even some miniature games and sends them with care packages to troops overseas. The past decade has been one of great stress for the troops, and we all have the opportunity to help them get a little relief, if just for a short time, through playing a friendly game with another. The responses from this program have been wonderful, as the troops greatly appreciate a change of pace and way to get a little R&R. This year, the North Coast Gamers will be partnering up with the United Services Organization (USO) to have the donations included within care packages. Unfortunately, we can't send care packages to nearly as many as we would like, but we are doing what we can and we are asking your help. Donations of games or money to help with the care packages would be greatly appreciated. Since the care packages are sent out via the US Postal Service in APO-sized packages, the games will need to be smaller than 12 x 12 x 5-1/2. Small card games or board games are ideal so that we can place other care package items in the boxes as well. A short note or letter of thanks for the troops is always a nice thing to add. Any cash donations can be sent to GamesForTroops_NorthCoastGamers.org or if you prefer to write a check or send a new game directly, you can make it out to North Coast Gamers and send to my home address at 3336 Mueller Creek Blvd, Brunswick, Ohio 44212. You can also donate directly to the USO by going to their web site at: https://www.uso.org/donate/ Additionally, If you have a friend or family member who is in the armed services who is into the type of 'gaming' mentioned above, please send me their name and address and we will see what we can send them directly (or can package for you to send if you wish). Feel free to include a letter or even some special requests for the type of snacks or other things they like and we will try to get those as well (last year the #1 request of the troops was 'Pizza flavored Combos'!). If there is a particular game they like, let us know that too and we'll do our best to include it. Again, we can't send everyone a package given the limitations we have but we will do what we can. Please let me know if you have any individuals who would appreciate this (include the necesary info and requests), if you have any questions or if you wish to donate something for this cause. Sincerely, Dan MazurCoordinator, North Coast Gamers (www.NorthCoastGamers.org)Director, Social Interactions Inc. (www.SocialInteractions.org)DanMazur_SocialInteractions.org216-624-6270

Board Game Drive add-page02

Group to Hold Board Game Drive

June 5, 2011By BOB COUPLAND Tribune Chronicle , Tribune Chronicle | TribToday.com Save | Post a comment | The local chapter of the North Coast Gamers is holding a tabletop board game drive through June 12 to get items for the Mahoning Valley Rescue Mission.John Hazen, co-organizer with Daniel Denehy of the Penn / Ohio Chapter of the North Coast Gamers, said the effort is the new group's first philanthropy event to help the mission accumulate a library of games for use by their shelter families.The chapter organized last November.''We were talking about doing something to help in the community or with a nonprofit group when this idea was suggested,'' Hazen said.The games can range from classics such as checkers and Stratego to more niche games such as Carcassone or Revolution.Hazen said requests for any games donated is that they not be too violent, self-contained in a single box for storage, and be new or like new. He said games should also not require getting more parts or pieces.Denehy, who came up with the idea, said the drive comes at an appropriate time for the shelter families.He said the mission doesn't yet have a safe outdoor location where children can play, so they stay inside where there is a television and puzzles.''The games will go a long way to help build bonds between families and entertain children in need.'' Denehy said.Games can be dropped off at donation boxes at All American Card and Comics, 161 W. Market St., Warren, or 1295 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman.Denehy said if the drive goes well it may become an annual event for different groups in need.Hazen said monetary donations will also be accepted and used to buy games.bcoupland_tribtoday.com

Lifes Winning Strategies

North Coast Gamers Discover Life's Winning Strategies

By MELISSA MARTINBrunswick Post editorhttp://www.thepostnewspapers.com/results/north-coast-gamers-brunswick-3-7--martin-Reposted.Brunswick resident Dan Mazur says he finds it somewhat ironic that in the age of social networking, people might actually be less social than ever when it comes to getting together with friends and meeting new people."Just think about it. Most of us can just check our Facebook pages these days to see how all of our friends are. We don't have to pick up the phone or visit, which means the actual socialization aspect of our relationships are slowly being forgotten," Mazur said.In an attempt to keep the "social" element of networking alive, Mazur and several of his friends, including his wife and two daughters, have spent the past two years organizing The North Coast Gamers, a family friendly club dedicated to bringing people back together, all in the name of having fun.Founded in 2008, the organization, still headquartered in Brunswick, has grown to more than 261 members of all ages who meet several times a month to play games together. While the group does include an online gaming community, Mazur says those who choose video and computer games as their genre of choice are a minority in this group. [Update: As of June, 2011, the membership has grown to over 1,000 members with7 chapters across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.]Instead, it's the old classic board games like Scrabble and Risk, as well as war games, miniature games, party games and even more cutting edge Euro Games, including Catan, Dominion, Puerto Rico, and Agricola that reign supreme amongst this crowd.The fascination?In one word, interaction, Mazur says."The Euro games are particularly popular with this crowd, not only because they allow players to trade, but also to build alliances amongst themselves," Mazur said.Similar to traditional tabletop board games in that they require a game board to play, Mazur says the Euro games are a relatively new phenomenon in the American gaming community, with simple rules and reliance upon resource management skills and strategy rather than luck. They take anywhere from 30 minutes to five hours to complete."We welcome all levels of game play experience, having individuals who have never played to those who have years of experience," he says. "We encourage our members to bring friends to join in the fun, where nobody is considered an outsider."Prior to the formation of North Coast Gamers, Mazur said small gaming clubs were organized in various neighborhoods throughout the greater Cleveland area. Mostly, gaming events took place inside people's homes."We wanted to develop something more regional. We wanted people to get out of their neighborhoods and break down those regional clicks to afford people more opportunities," Mazur said, noting that the smaller gaming clubs were less organized and more difficult for outsiders to find.In joining forces, he says, gamers were able to take part in a greater number of events, but they were also able to network better with others with similar interests."Part of the big draw with us is that we have our own Web site, www.northcoastgamers.org, and people can find us," Mazur said, noting that the North Coast Gamers is now the largest gaming club in the Midwest. "And once they find our site, they can access our calendar and attend any of the events we're sponsoring."Membership into the club is free or just $5 a year for those looking to become supporting members.Supporting member status brings its own special benefits, including automatic entries into the game-a-month giveaways, discounts at participating sponsors, half off at the Origins Game Fair, check-out privileges in the club's game library and more. The remaining portion of the membership fee helps the club maintain its Web site.In 2009, Mazur said the North Coast Gamers gave away more than $1,300 in prizes to attendees at its events. In 2010, the group has opted to limit its door prizes in order to boost participation in its monthly game giveaway."This new program will make it easier to get some of the prizes out to members who might not be able to make some of our events," Mazur said.While several gaming companies donate prizes to the club, North Coast Gamers also makes it a point to patronize local gaming shops as a way of giving back to the community and supporting the small business owner."We encourage our events to be held in locations that are most convenient to our attendees, but we strongly encourage events to be held in some of our local small businesses," Mazur said "We want to encourage our members to patron small businesses that offer to host some of our events, which makes good economic sense not only for our group, but for the businesses."With the small businesses in mind, Mazur says the North Coast Gamers try to meet several times a month at area cafes, coffee shops and game shops whenever possible. Favorites, he said, are the Cool Beans caf © in Medina and Arabica in Parma Heights.Typically, Mazur said, North Coast Gamers events bring upward of 20 to 25 attendees and the businesses usually work with the group to coordinate events in their slow times of day to boost their bottom lines.In exchange, owners often give members discounts on items they purchase during the event."That way, it turns out to be a win-win situation for both of us," he says.But the generosity does not stop there. The group has started to take on a philanthropic role in the community, hosting events to raise funds or, in the case of area food banks, food for charitable organizations."Because our membership has grown so much over the years, we've reached a size where we're able to give back and make a difference in the community now," Mazur said, noting that the group hosts various fundraisers for organizations such as Camp Cheerful and Hiram House."People come to an all-day gaming event, pay a fee at the door and all the proceeds go to that charity," he says.While the group hopes to expand its role as a community service organization in the years to come, Mazur says the group has been most successful thus far in strengthening family bonds and forging new friendships"There are so many people who take advantage of the events we have and the game library we offer," Mazur said. "And they're having so much fun that they're starting to host family game nights of their own. We set out to bring family and friends closer together and thankfully, that's exactly what we've been able to do."

Articles

Games for Troops Campaign
Board Game Drive
Lifes Winning Strategies

Contact

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MichiganGreater Flint ChapterCoordinator: Admin_NorthCoastGamers.org