Advice on starting a club

[Brazham]

Hi everyone,
I'm not sure this is the right topic to post this thread, if it isn't, feel free to correct me and redirect it.
The first member of this forum I made contact with was Pophammy, whom I thank a lot for all the help and information and also for introducing me to this forum.
At that time I asked her about how to start a hamster club like you have in Britain. I'm from Brazil and we don't have anything like this for hamsters. I remember she advised me to get in touch with serious breeders who might be interested. The thing is, I just couldn't find such breeders in my region. The ones I found don't know anything about genetics and just breed their animals randomly. So I guess I'll have to start from zero and produce my own lines from the hammies I have available, which I know little of the background.
I'd like to know if any one of you have contact with other Brazilian (or even South American) breeders, and also have some information on how to organize shows, and how to become a judge, and anything else that could help.
I'm sorry for the long post, but I'm really interested in improving the quality of the Brazilian stock and take hamster breeding here to a new level (not only producing animals to sell in pet shops)
Thanks in advance,
Cheers

[souffle]

Here is a link to the National Hamster Council Site which is the governing body in the UK
Home - National Hamster Council
You can read all about all aspects of hamsters here and also read the UK standards for all species colours and patterns and also the constitution for our clubs and the standards or care and breeding we strive for.
I would suggest you start off by trying to locate another small animal fancy such as rabbits or guinea pigs which already has a following in your country and try and arrange a PET hamster show tagged on to their next show. You need to start small and gradually gather interest and members.
Your closest country is likely the California Hamster Association.
Hope that helps.
(Pophammy is my daughter by the way and busy with exams just now!)

[Brazham]

Thanks a lot for the reply Souffle. I'll check the link right away. I'm not sure about guinea pigs fancy, but I've got some info on rabbit breeders and that should make things easier. I'm going to take a look at the California Hamster Association website also.
Thank you once more (never too much)!
Oh, wish Pophammy luck on the exams for me
Best regards