Just a few questions to consider, the answers may help guide you forward. This may get long winded….
How many people are there in your group? Has there been any growth in numbers lately?
What kind of location is it? Is it suitable for building while at the meeting, good lighting, good work surface and seating, reasonable environment?
Does your group put on any shows / contests, or even just sponsor others nearby?
What kind of builders do you have? Sporadic (1-4kits per year), active (4-12 per year), prolific (>12 per year). These numbers are my own, yours may vary considerably.
And most importantly, how do you feel when at the meeting?
I can read some obvious disappointment by what you wrote, but do you generally get along well with them? Do you have other things in common with them? Talking modelling is important, but like any relationship, you need more than one thing in common or it will be a struggle. This almost sounds like a marriage where both sides are just in a less effort, status quo position.
My group has an age range between 15 and 67 right now, urban and rural people, newbies to modelling to lifers whose stash will outlive them. All quite varied in different beliefs and opinions, but there are a number of similarities as well. The primary point of cohesion is probably our yearly model show and the work involved in getting through it. At meetings we talk models as we build, but we also talk work, other hobbies, news, family, etc.
You need to find some common ground to guide the conversations. What we are talking about is building or maintaining rapport within the group. It doesn’t happen in a vacuum and needs to be maintained throughout the group. Try to widen the field of conversation within the group, let people vent if they need to (within reason), be supportive. Maybe try a potluck dinner on model night or maybe every meeting someone different brings snacks or appies for everyone. Maybe a modelling challenge for the next meeting….
It’s tough when you get in a rut like that. I don’t want to sound pessimistic and for sure don’t want you to stop going because of what I say here. Every group tends to coalesce, go through periods of growth, stability and decline (multiple times even), perhaps even dissolution. That is the natural progression of life and modelling is not immune.
In the end, you need to decide how much effort to put in, manage your expectations, and decide what you are willing to accept. Make changes appropriately.
To me this forum tends to feel a bit like a club, but the lack of real time responses does limit that. An interesting experiment could be some like minded members here forming virtual clubs with online meetings on a regular basis. Something to ponder.
As @Demolition mentioned, beer could help as well.
