The Secret Societies of Board Game Geek
jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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Over my last three years I've stumbled across hidden pages, shadowy guilds, unexplained microbadges, seemingly innocent geeklists and the like. At first I didn't think much of them but, as of late, I have realized that there is a myriad of shadowy societies and networks woven throughout BGG. Some of these groups are obscure while the others are right there on the front page for all to see. Chances are you might even belong to one and not realize it.
In this list I will briefly explore these organizations--the ones that I know of anyways. Obviously I haven't discovered them all. I invite you to share any you may be aware of or expand on what I have here.
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jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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Geek of the Week
Before you start throwing tomatoes!!! I know what you are thinking--GotW isn't a secret! It's there to see on the front page! True, true. Members of GotW are not secret. How to become a GotW is also not a secret. But what is a secret is the special, secret, benefits obtained after becoming GotW. It's a whole lot more than just a week answering questions. I hear that, once selected, these geeks are able to give out 2 thumbs on posts. Furthermore, any GotWs that travel to BGG.CON are invited to secret, back room, high stakes board games with Aldie and Derk.
You remember that episode of Simpsons when Homer got inducted to the secret society and they told him the real number to call was not 911, it was 912. Uh-huh. More of the like awaits those who become GotW.
Members: 203
Induction: Chosen by the previous GotW
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jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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Wolf of the Week
The mysterious Wolves of the Week. They aren't as public as the GotWs, conducting their business in the more shadowy forums. What actually goes on behind their closed doors is beyond me, but it might have something to do with raw meat and heavy metal music...
Members: 105
Induction: Unknown. I think you have to get bit by another one.
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jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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Order of the Golden Meeple
Like the Masons, the Golden Meeple was once shrouded in mystery. Nowadays, anyone can get in. There aren't apparently any benefits, but that might just be the case for the lower ranks. Perhaps the seniors, like Chapel, enjoy some secret perks.
Members: 108
Induction: Obtain 10,000 thumbs.
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jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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The Wibblecon Group
The Bilderberg Group originally met in a hotel in the Netherlands in 1954. 53 years later the Wibblecon Group meets in a hotel in Belgium. They claim that they only met in order to play some war games, but I'm quite certain larger, worldly, issues were also discussed. There are several connections between the two groups; both met in hotels, elite attendees, exactly 53 years apart....
Members: 7
Induction: Invitation Only
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5.
Board Game: Lucky 13
[Average Rating:6.06 Unranked]
jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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513 Society
Whatever the 513 Society does, it can't be good. With members like MWChapel, Octavian, and amwiles you have to assume their intentions are diabolical.
Members: 6
Induction: Being born on the right day
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6.
Board Game: Cuba
[Average Rating:7.30 Overall Rank:164]
jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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Guantanamo Bay
The members of Guantanamo Bay meet every other week and, through the use of code which appears to be ordinary board game discussion, plot a coup to take over BGG. Their badge mocks our unpreparedness.
Members: 18
Induction: Unknown
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jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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The Golden Camel Coterie
No other group is shadowed in mystery and intrigue or is as enigmatic as the Golden Camel Coterie. Only 4 members belong to this secret group (until Dkahnt steels one for himself like he did with the Golden Meeple originally). Their intentions are a closely guarded secret. I hope that they are around to provide balance with the 513 Society.
Members: 4
Induction: Unknown
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jonathanWC
United States
Missoula
Montana
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Republic of Texas
I'm sure many of you contend that Texas is not a secret society, but have you ever talked to anyone from Texas on here? They are up to something.
Members: 54
Induction: Geographical. And the ability to fog up glass with your breath.
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John Mellby
United States
Plano
Texas
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Mornington Crescent
Members of this group are the only ones who know the
rules to this game, or even are aware the game exists.
Some say this is based in England. They are, of course, wrong.
Or are they?
Members: At least 2
Induction: Demonstration you understand the basic rules,
plus the Shrove Tuesday variant or the 2012 London Olympics rules.
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Mike Jones
United States
Gainesville
Florida
Yeah it's here! Really it's right here.
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What about cults?
To steal a phrase from one of their 'numbers' "What about Geekquestions?"
A curious lot. More of a cult then a Society it appears. I've just recently noticed they even keep stats on each other. Sounds kinda strange. But, they hide in the dark recesses of the geekdo.
Members: 21 (admitted addicts) But, where's thier advocate?
Induction: The first test, is to actually find where to ask and answer the geekquestions, then you are on your way. But, to really be one you need to ask and answer hundreds, nay thousands of questions. Some inane, some not so inane.
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Where's Winkles?
This secret society boasts this giraffy microbadge that is doled out by BGG admin
Sterling Babcock
United States
Colorado
The secret? Kissing up Spreading some BGG love via a post to this thread..
Members: 366
Induction: Kiss a giraffe's behind! Impress Sterling with your love and devotion to BGG!
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We R Legion
This super-secret society is shrouded in mystery. It reared its beautiful head at 2pm CST one fateful day in the sacred halls of Chit Chat--March 5, 2009.
How did it come about? Who masterminded it? Which members were directly involved? Who are the non-members that tried to subdue/control them?
These and other questions must remain unanswered as legion members are sworn to secrecy.
However, I can reveal that
Matthew M Monin
United States
Branford
Connecticut
8/8 FREE, PROTECTED
513ers Assemble!
awarded the microbadges.
If you follow the links listed in this thread, you can relive the pain, the joy, the agony, and the heartbreak!!
Members: 16
Induction: I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you!  
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How tall is justice?
Canada
Georgetown
Ontario
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The Cult of the New
Never concerned with what they're playing now, the members of the Cult of the New are only concerned with what they're playing next. Slaves to shrink-wrap and that new-game-smell, they are constantly in search of the new new thing.
Members: 20
Inductions: Simply purch... ooh! Shiney!
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14.
Board Game: 16!
[Average Rating:5.50 Unranked]
Jack van Riel
Netherlands
Nijmegen
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The 16'ers.
A very wealthy lot, these are the ones that light their cigars with 100 dollar bills, and buy microbadges for 16 GG.
Members: 5
Induction: Be rich enough to buy the microbadge
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Patrick Korner
Canada
Coquitlam
British Columbia
Stop poking me! Ow! I mean it! That hurts!
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Thrift King
The annual leader of the thrifting masses, themselves classed into differing groups on the basis of the quality and quantity of their finds from the previous year. From lowly peasant through serf, lord and vaunted Council of Twelve, anyone can ascend to be King in our benevolent Kingdom. Just watch out for the First Citizen, he seems to think that violent overthrow is the way to go.
Members: 4 at the moment
Induction: Emerge victorious from a shadowy and arcane voting process, administered by our Vizier.
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16.
Board Game: Dune
[Average Rating:7.63 Overall Rank:91]
RUSH May 28th 2013
England
York
North Yorkshire
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The Ancient and Loyal Order of Thrifters
A totally secret organisation that's managed to form its own Guild on BGG. Yeah! A Guild even! How the heck did they sneak that past the admin?!
They've got titles and badges and lists and honours and awards and everything. It's a complete society.
BUT NO WAY TO JOIN!
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Purple Seal of Goodness
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/browse/microbadge/8123
It's a seal. Of goodness. And it's purple. What else is there to say? Except that one of the admins has to give a personal seal of approval for entrance into this mysterious secret society. Neither money nor geekgold can buy it!
Members: 7
Induction: Clouded with mystery...
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Elephant Stamp from Melissa
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/browse/microbadge/5047
It's an elephant. And it's pink. But what is it? How does one get it? Where does it come from? Why does it exist? What does it mean? Is it the first sign of a conspiracy? A coup? A nightmare? A delusion? A cult? The urgent and pressing questions quickly begin to pile up one after the other, and another unsolved mystery rapidly begins to knot its way onto the threads among the Great Board Game Geek, and torment the curious among the masses of Gaming Geekdom... Melissa appears to be the high priestess of this society, and if you are looking for enlightenment, you can start your journey here.
Members: 8
Induction: Save Melissa's life... or something similar!
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BGG Regulars and BGG Veterans
 - http://www.boardgamegeek.com/microbadge/2827
 - http://www.boardgamegeek.com/microbadge/2828
What kind of battles must one fight to be eligible for these honours of distinction? Must you survive a flame war? Beat the designer of Memoir 44 or Battlelore in unarmed combat? The secrets of this society beg to be uncovered, and first attempts to discover the eligibility requirements have not been successful, as you can see from this discussion.
Members: 4 and 7 respectively
Induction: Awaiting discovery...
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Drew
United States
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
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The Tufty Club
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents brought us Tufty the Road Safety Squirrel . . . and a handful of geeks admit to being part of this very special club. How many more are keeping quiet about it? Only Tufty knows!
Members: 6
Induction: Unknown. Secret midnight rituals, most likely.
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Worst Champions in the World
Canada
Toronto
Ontario
I am a Talking Aviator? I say, whatever shall they think of next? Anyone up for a game, then? Tally Ho!!
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GrEEK Guild
I don't have a lot of intelligence (cough) - let me start again...
I don't have a lot of intelligence about this group but know that it is definitely a secret society! You've seen their postings, I am sure. Right there on the Front Page. They speak in heiroglyphics to ensure that the rest of us are completely oblivious to their devious plots.
Check out this example: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/425288
I believe this thread was conspiring to set up a card game in the hot tub, but I am not entirely sure of their motives. What other treachery could they possibly be up to??
Members: 204
Induction: Ī ĻĪĻĪµĪ¹ Ī½Ī± Ī¼Ī¹Ī»Ī®ĻĪµĻĪµ ĻĪ± ĪµĪ»Ī»Ī·Ī½Ī¹ĪŗĪ¬
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22.
Board Game: Fart!
[Average Rating:3.83 Unranked]
Dave Seidner
United States
Willow Grove
Pennsylvania
In another time's forgotten space, your eyes looked through your mother's face. Wildflower seed on the sand and stone, may the four winds blow you safely home.
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The Box Fart Society
A secret society of gamers with a prepubescent sense of humor. The mere hint of a sound during the opening or closing of a game box causes these people to lose their grip with reality and slip into a mad hysteria, not unlike many of Cthulhu's victims. Or is it the new game smell?
Members: 52
Induction: Must find humor in bodily functions.
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Doc Bullseye
United States
Brownsburg
Indiana
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The Busen Remembrance League
Those noble souls who strive to ensure that the Busen are not forgotten.
Members: Unknown.
Induction: Generally automatic for boys around the age of eleven.
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What preview button?
United States
Medford
Massachusetts
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Chain(s) of Generosity Participant
Some say the most relevant part of the name is the "Chain" portion since members are chained down to the obligation of mailing someone a game. However, most members like to downplay the "Chain" and up-play the "Generosity" portion. Those that have joined will espouse the both the benefits and relative ease of joining. However, there are many that covet induction, yet continue to fail to meet the requirements for entry. Strangely, they continue to try, somehow falsely lead into believing that luck has something to do with it. Ameritrashers will tell you that luck can be mitigated by good strategy and preparedness.
Current members: 198
Induction: Win a Chain of Generosity and send on a game. (Then wait patiently for the Grand High Pubah,
Just call me Erik
United States
Waldorf
Maryland
to manually compile a list every so often and send it to the microbadge admin.)
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Frog of Density ...er, Destiny
United States
Ft. Collins
Colorado
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Chit Chat Commune
Nothing says Secret Society like splintering off from society and forming your own community. Chit Chat did this several years ago. Many have never again been heard from again. I think they drank the Kool Aid.
Members: 10 (self-identified); ?? sycophants, hangers-on and other ner'do-wells.
Induction: Choose a job.
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While there HAD only been the 'one' & LONELY "GROGbard" amidst their 'ranks'! His 'aplomb' WERE~
yeah! THEY all 'got' to attend and ALL that I 'got' was a "T-shirt" autographed & 'artigraphed' from these ALL on THAT! 
Here's a photo array from the 2007 get together:
D
