Matty,

I've always found that people don't like to START things themselves — that means they'd have to take some responsibility for it. But if you offer them an organization to join, they'll come.

How 'bout you and one or two friends starting the society yourselves — with full understanding you may later lose control over it, if you want control in the first place — then tell your audiences that it's there and invite them to join. I did that with a couple of things I was interested in and it worked. I got a ski club going when I was in college and some friends and I got a folk club going when I was in grad school. Both turned out pretty well.

Hope that's helpful.

cheers

david