When forming the group, you will need some mutually agreed upon guidelines among the members. These don't need to apply to eah and every group, but they are good idea of what you might need. Keep these things in mind:

Include writers from all levels

Your group can consist of beginners, seasoned writers, or both! It doesn’t hurt to have experienced folks in a beginning group as they lend 'expertise' (no matter how limited) when discussing screenwriting topics.

Five to seven people is an ideal start-up size for a screenwriting group. And if you have fifteen people who want to be in the group go with it! You’re ahead of the game.

Each group should have a leader whose responsibilities include ensuring a meeting location, communicating with ASA about your activities, and if so desired facilitating meeting discussions. Above all, make sure everyone has an equal say during meetings. Rotate responsibilities if you like (making reminder calls, bringing refreshments if you're not at a restaurant, etc.) so no one is unduly burdened.

This might be someone's house, a favorite quiet nightspot (bookstore, library, community room) or any place with a quiet room where you can gather. It is best to use the same location continuously so newcomers know where to find you. Also, many libraries, community associations, and other businesses have "community rooms" that you can use without cost.

Try the first Tuesday of every month, or every Wednesday at 7:30. You've got the idea. Get people into a routine. Depending on the meeting time you may have to select a location based on such needs as eating dinner or driving distances.

For example, here is a sample stated purpose of a group: "To provide members with feedback needed to forward their screenwriting career. Members share screenwriting knowledge and provide friendly, constructive critiques of other's scripts, outlines or treatments. Members exchange screenwriting books, magazines and their experiences finding agents and marketing scripts."

Learning to review and evaluate someone else’s work, as well as receiving feedback yourself, is important. It's often profitable to read scenes aloud during a meeting and evaluate them on the spot, or address writing ideas and specific writing problems. Above all writers should avoid a defensive posture. Listen carefully, avoid speaking, take the advice seriously, but remember that you are the writer of your script. Constructive criticism only. Members should avoid speaking in absolutes, instead offering their opinions, reactions, observations, and suggestions.

Learning from other screenwriting groups, and sharing what you know, is a great way to shorten the "learning curve" of running your group. you will also build strong relationships and partnerships in the industry and hey - networking is a good thing.