A TOSS OF THE DICE. Since the inception of the Eau Claire Board Game Group (ECBGG), organizers in the Valley have hosted over 600 free events for residents who love to play tabletop games: board games, dice and card games and more. (Submitted photo)
Brandy McQueen, the enthusiastic and generous creator of the Eau Claire Board Game Group (ECBGG), could easily teach a masterclass on community building.
The self-proclaimed “second generation nerd” comes from a family of gamers; she and her husband, Bjorn Eide, met at college as members of the Geek Club, a Dungeons & Dragons group – so it’s clear that the love of games is in her blood.
McQueen and her husband, whom she jokingly calls “her lackey” in all things ECBGG, have volunteered their time since 2017, to share their passion for games with others.
Since the inception of the group, McQueen has hosted over 600 free events for Chippewa Valley residents who love to play tabletop games: board games, dice and card games, and role-playing games.
McQueen noted that “the ECBGG is a group that welcomes new folks into the fray. Because there are games for all skill levels, anyone can come and enjoy themselves.”
The ECBGG has become most known for organizing a recurring Friday night hangout for gamers at D20 Gaming (2158 EastRidge Center, Eau Claire). Participants arrive at 7pm, and the first order of business is introductions.
McQueen stresses the importance of face-to-face interaction, sharing that “in person, people can be intimidated to talk – but put a game on the table, and it becomes a vehicle for conversation.”
Each week, McQueen brings a selection of games – often from her own large and ever-growing collection. She explains the format and rules of the games she’s chosen, and then attendees choose what they’d like to play.
ECBGG is not affiliated with any particular location where members meet for events; the group simply brings people together in public spaces to support local businesses, she said.
Each week of the ECBGG, McQueen brings a selection of games – often from her own large and ever-growing collection. Here’s just a sample of the dozens of games which fill her shelves at home. (Photo by Brandy McQueen)
Twice a year they host the Board Game Market, basically a large “garage sale” of board games, which brings 300-400 people into The Brewing Projekt (1807 N Oxford Ave., Eau Claire). Their next market will be held on Saturday, May 23.
The ECBGG has also held mid-week events at Eau Claire locations including 2 Roots Art & Wine Gallery, Lazy Monk Brewing, The Plus, The Paint Shack, and more.
McQueen said a great benefit of the ECBGG is that it gives people – who search for opportunities to socialize – an alternative to bar culture. Not only does the group host game nights, but they also coordinate holiday parties and summer picnics where gamers can meet up.
Another benefit? Playing board games can at-times be cost-prohibitive, McQueen said. By playing at a ECBGG event, members can try a game out without the initial investment.
McQueen said she will continue organizing events for the ECBGG because she enjoys a “unique shared history with a group” and marvels at how “so many strangers can come together and find commonality.”
“It’s cool to see how lots of sub-groups have sprouted in the online community,” McQueen added.
The ECBGG’s Facebook platform online allows for organizers to share updates on upcoming events and gives its 1,100 members (and growing) a way to communicate online.
After almost a decade of running the ECBGG, McQueen remains energized by the work of organizing people around a common hobby.
It’s clear that developing a sense of community will always be at the heart of McQueen’s mission, and her group gives everyone – from young enthusiasts to empty nesters – a place to belong.
Early on, McQueen told herself that she would keep volunteering her time to the ECBGG until it wasn’t fun anymore. All these years later? “It’s still fun!” McQueen beams.
The ECBGG’s Facebook platform (@ECBGG) online allows for attendees and organizers to share updates on upcoming events and gives its 1,100 members a way to communicate outside of in-person events. (Submitted photo)
Join the Eau Claire Board Group online via Facebook (@ECBGG) to learn more about its upcoming events in Eau Claire. The group’s weekly gatherings are held at 7pm each Friday, within D20 Gaming (2158 EastRidge Center, Eau Claire).