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I go to three friends homes to help them build their layout. Here is my experience: 1) If you get a good group together, ideally you'd like more individuals than can run it, as invariably one or two might be away. 2) With a gathering of 3 or more excluding your self, there is likely to be one "odd" individual or more (excluding yourself). But this odd person is likely to make some invaluable contributions. At one friends home, there is an odd electronics person and an odd engineering type, but each adds to the value of the layout. 3) Improve your ambassadorial skills. Everyone has opinions on layouts, whether it is their own or yours. Some of their opinions will be bang on, some will be excellent and would be the way to go if your layout was going to withstand a direct nuclear detonation or was to appear in "Electronics's Geeky Newsletter." Sometimes the best isn't the best due to time, money and skill level. Other times opinions will miss the mark altogether. You need to be able to have a firm skill in saying "no" gently but firmly without ruffling feathers. 4) Have no rules except rule number one, and in case rule number one doesn't work refer them to rule number two. Rule Number one: This is my layout and I will do what I want. Rule Number Two: In cases of conflict resolution, see rule number one. I would post these two rules prominently. 5) The group you gather are probably going to become life long friends, plan on it. 6) You will get your layout built faster and probably in a better fashion rather than had you done it all yourself. 7) You will share much laughter and a few tears with them as you and they travel through life's journey. 8) Have faith in their ability unless proven otherwise. But don't be afraid to train them either, some are willing to serve an "apprenticeship" to gain skills for building their layout. This is legitimate as they are willing to provide free slave labour. 9) Have some refreshments and fluids. Also right from the beginning, let them know they are expected to arrive with something to eat like chips, cookies, etc. 10) Accept that not every night is going to be productive, there will be many times when all that gets exercised is the jaw. 11) Be willing to help out on their layout from time to time. 12) You will discover that some will gravitate to certain jobs, allow them to become experts in them. For example, some really enjoy scenicking, others really like the electrical and electronics, yet others really enjoy the benchwork and structure building. Your layout will only be the richer for it. 13) Let them get their kids involved, kids really will respect your property if they know it is important to you. Allow them to run your layout. The "kids" are the guys who are going to fix things under your layout and hard to reach places, when you are too old to do so, so grow a new crop of visitors and helpers. 14) Tell your neighbours that these guys will be coming regularly on "such and such" an nite. This will save phone calls to the police reporting that you have a grow op happening in your home. 15) If you get a group up and running, count your blessings for you will be blessed.
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