Our Mission & Vision
RenLUG — Central Florida’s LEGO® User Group
RenLUG is a community for adult fans of LEGO® (AFOLs) who come together to build, learn, and collaborate through creative projects, public exhibitions, and community partnerships across Central Florida.
Mission
Our mission is to foster an inclusive, supportive community of adult LEGO® builders where creativity, collaboration, and inspiration thrive through shared building experiences and public engagement.
Vision
We envision a vibrant Central Florida AFOL community united by creativity, innovation, and collaboration — using LEGO® as a medium to connect people, explore ideas, and inspire curiosity across generations. At RenLUG, communication, collaboration, and connection are not aspirations — they are how we operate every day.
Friends Worth Crossing Centuries For
The phrase “Friends Worth Crossing Centuries For” reflects the spirit of RenLUG.
RenLUG’s name reflects our ethos:
Renaissance represents a time of remarkable innovation, creativity, and artistic achievement.
LUG stands for LEGO® User Group.
Together, RenLUG represents a modern renaissance—where builders draw inspiration from history while pushing creative boundaries across many genres, including city, trains, sci-fi, fantasy, art, experimental design, and more. Our focus is collaboration, not a single theme.
Our Story
RenLUG began in 2019 when a group of friends — rooted in STEM competitions and volunteering — found a shared passion for LEGO® building. That informal hobby group evolved into a regular monthly meetup and eventually into a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. By 2024, marking our fifth anniversary, RenLUG achieved official nonprofit status and continued to expand its community presence.
What started as informal gatherings grew into a thriving structured organization dedicated to public outreach, educational programming, and creative collaboration.
Today, RenLUG is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supporting educational initiatives, public exhibitions, and partnerships that extend the impact of LEGO® far beyond individual builds.
How We’re Organized
RenLUG operates under a deliberate two-tier governance structure that separates corporate accountability from community operations.
Corporate Governance — Renaissance LEGO User Group Inc. is formally incorporated in the State of Florida (Document No. N24000002500, incorporated February 24, 2024) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Three corporate officers — President, Treasurer, and Secretary — are responsible for legal compliance, financial oversight, recordkeeping, and fulfillment of nonprofit obligations. This layer ensures organizational accountability independent of day-to-day club operations.
Community Leadership — RenLUG’s AFOL community is guided by three operational leads: a Director of Events, responsible for coordinating public displays, conventions, and community appearances; a Director of Membership, responsible for member engagement, onboarding, and the biannual membership review; and a Director of Community Partnerships, responsible for institutional relationships, grant development, and outreach coordination with organizations such as the Orlando Science Center, Orange County Library System, ASCE, and SEI.
Democratic Participation — While leadership roles provide structure and accountability, RenLUG operates democratically. Significant organizational decisions are put to a full membership vote, ensuring every member has a meaningful voice in the community’s direction.
These six roles are held by six distinct individuals — there is no overlap between the corporate and community layers. This separation eliminates conflicts of interest and ensures that RenLUG’s nonprofit obligations are met independently of whoever is coordinating events or managing membership at any given time.
RenLUG’s corporate officers and registered agent are publicly documented through the Florida Division of Corporations. Current officer information is available at search.sunbiz.org.
Corporate Information · Candid Platinum Rating
Core Values
We champion:
- Community — Building strong connections and relationships among members and with the broader Central Florida community. Community is the reason RenLUG exists.
- Communication — Keeping members informed, engaged, and heard through transparent and timely sharing of news, ideas, and decisions.
- Collaboration — Fostering cooperation, shared projects, and mutual support — because every build is better together.
- Creativity — Encouraging and celebrating diverse expressions of creativity across every genre, skill level, and building style.
- Inspiration — Sparking curiosity, personal growth, and wonder — in our members and in every community we reach.
- Inclusivity — Welcoming individuals of all backgrounds, skill levels, interests, and abilities — in an environment where respect and cooperation are expected of everyone.
- Transparency — Operating openly and accountably as a public-facing nonprofit, with honest communication to members, partners, and the public.
What We Do
RenLUG offers a wide range of activities that support creativity, connection, and community engagement:
Monthly Meetings
Our regular meetups take a variety of forms and may include build challenges, parts drafts, technique sharing, project show-and-tell, planning for events, and informal social time.
Social Field Trips & Meetups
Informal gatherings such as LEGO® Store visits, group lunches, and social outings that build friendships and strengthen community beyond official events.
Collaborative Builds
Large-scale group projects that encourage teamwork, design problem-solving, and shared creative vision.
Public Exhibitions & STEM Outreach
RenLUG regularly exhibits at science centers, fairs, Maker Faires, and conventions, combining fun with education to engage audiences of all ages.
Brick Renaissance℠ Events
Signature events celebrating creativity, history, and innovation through themed LEGO® experiences.
Brick Quest Challenges℠
Hands-on challenges and collaborative problem-solving activities that blend play, logic, and teamwork.
Partnerships & Community Impact
RenLUG actively collaborates with other LEGO® User Groups, Engineering Societies, STEM organizations, cultural institutions, and community partners to deliver engaging programs and exhibitions. These partnerships allow us to reach broader audiences, support education, and strengthen the LEGO® community locally and beyond.
We collaborate with STEM organizations, professional societies, and cultural venues to broaden our reach:
- Orlando Science Center
- Florida Engineering Foundation
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Maker Faire Orlando
- Local STEM initiatives and school partnerships
- Local Businesses & Venues
These collaborations bring LEGO® creativity into educational and community contexts, reinforcing our mission to inspire through hands-on activities.
Volunteerism & Educational Reach
Volunteerism is central to RenLUG’s mission. Members contribute their time and creativity to educational programs, public events, and community initiatives, supporting STEM and creative learning through LEGO®.
RenLUG volunteers have participated in outreach through libraries, science centers, festivals, and community programs, earning recognition such as the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Many RenLUG members also have individual Lifetime Achievement Awards for having 4,000 or more hours of service.
Legal Status & Transparency
RenLUG operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources.
⚔️ Corporate Information · Candid Platinum Rating
Where We Build
RenLUG primarily serves Central Florida, with members and events throughout the region. While our members, collaborations and exhibitions may extend beyond this area as opportunities arise, our focus remains on supporting and enriching the local Central Florida LEGO® community.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a novice, an experienced builder or returning to LEGO® as an adult, RenLUG offers a place to connect, create, and collaborate.
Join us—and build friendships worth crossing centuries for.
We’re always excited to meet new builders and collaborators.
RenLUG 