I would FReep Mail SaraJohnson or The Duke they both seem to have experience and success at starting such a group.
I recommend trying to find a venue that is not too costly. We started at a restaurant, but are having a much better experience meeting at the conference room at my small office.
And you can't beat a prepper picnic! :)
Kimmie - Starting a neighborhood crime watch group is easy. Contact your local police department and ask about starting one. Our group grew from a neighborhood crime watch program into what it is now given who my neighbors are and their interests.
To be honest, although a girlfriend and I started the crime watch group, it is the men of the group who played a large role in developing it to be what it is now. A lot of men have that defending the family thing in their bones and other men catch the bug. Some women do, too. We have two police officers in the neighborhood and they have played a valuable part in teaching about defending the whole neighborhood from rioters and they can answer legal questions.
The women turned it into a party. The men turned it into a shooting range club. Only one female neighbor and I shoot together - all the other women don’t like guns but like the idea of self defense.
The women tend to be the ones to plan, organize and shop for emergencies within their families. The men seem to research what to prepare for based on what they are concerned about or think will happen. It serves as a welcome wagon for new neighbors who are wanting to meet people and who don’t know about crime, hurricanes, tornados and floods.
Everyone talks about this stuff at meetings/parties. We use e-mail for setting up get togethers and sharing information, too. I try to make it inclusive, easy and fun for everybody because I love my neighbors.
Start small and it will grow if you pay attention and organize it along the way.