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Workshop Session
Editorial note from Christopher Sarson, Workshop Leader:
I was impressed with the enthusiasm that participants showed as they discussed the questions and delivered their answers. It was a perfect demonstration of how User Groups can share information with each other and have a good time while doing so.
I will post the solutions the Workshop came up with (below) with other solutions that APCUG members have generated on the APCUG web site. Please visit the site — htttp://www.apcug.org — and send me your comments.
Thanks for accepting me so warmly at the University. I very much enjoyed my day with you all.
THE WORKSHOP
The Workshop was designed to get participants talking about problems that most User Groups face from time to time. The participants were broken into 10 groups of about 10 people each. The leader of each group was given a question relating to user group organization. Each group discussed its question with its own members for 10 minutes and came up with solutions, that the leader then read to all Workshop participants.
Our membership is dropping. How can we maintain it?
- Join with retailers. See how you can offer them a service helping them sell Macs in exchange for the publicity your presence in their store will offer you.
- Survey old and current members. Find out why they joined, why they're still members, why they left. See if you can shape the UG to maximize membership. Send a newsletter to old members with a reminder their membership has lapsed.
- Reward current members for referrals which lead to new members. A4: Offer an easy way to renew membership on the web.
Folks in our area have never heard of the a User Group. How can we market the group?
- Do demos in demo bays in computer stores so buyers get to know your name.
- Print flyers; distribute them to dealers, libraries, schools, universities.
- Present a computer class at a community center.
- Send local papers (don't forget the free ones) notices of your meetings for inclusion in their Upcoming Events section.
- Local public radio and TV sometimes allow non-profits to announce their meetings. Volunteer as a group to answer the phone at their fund-raising events; they will thank you on-air and mention your name.
- Beg a table at a computer fair.
- Make a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce.
- Exchange web site banners with local groups mentioned above.
We've lost our meeting place and have 90 days to find another. What are some good ways to search for a new one?
- Ask members. Publicize the fact in your newsletter.
- Ask the person who's throwing you out.
- Ask other groups and organization if they have sympathetic hosts.
Our board members are burned out. How do we encourage new blood and/or re-light the fire?
- Examine the structure of the group. Focus on the mission statements and goals of the group. Does the board understand them; should they change?
- Hold a retreat for the board to energize it and refocus if necessary.
- Give thanks, appreciation, and benefits. People need to feel important, so give them a free annual membership, or lifetime membership for exceptional officers. How 'bout T-shirts and other signs of appreciation?
- Recruit and 'incubate' new officers. Assign new volunteers to experienced officers before they quit, so that the old ones can guide the new ones.
Our presenter didn't show. What do we do?
- Have an emergency presentation on hand (could be a person, could be a presentation-in-a-box) at all times.
- Spend a lot of time on Q&A!
- Get members to share their tips and tricks about OS and programs.
- If you have two presenters, expand the time for the one that shows.
- Make the meeting a business meeting.
- Show an iMovie.
We're a really small group and vendors don't want to visit. What do we do?
- Coordinate with other MUGs in the area to arrange a 'tour' on succeeding days for the vendor.
- Combine meetings with other MUGs.
- Borrow or get a demo copy for self-presentation.
- Get internet or Quicktime video from a central location.
- Get members trained so they can make presentations.
Our meetings are getting stale. How do we have more (computer!) fun?
- Get guest speakers
- Make sure the demos are interesting to the group.
- Utilize your members' talents in giving presentations.
- Maybe it's time for a raffle or freebie.
- Plan a social event.
- Dress the officers of the MUG up. Always brightens the meeting!
- Get more interaction going -- Q&A.
How can I get the high schools and universities in our community involved, either with our User Group or forming their own User Group? Where do they get information?
- Get them to the Apple web site.
- Approach the PTA with information, or maybe the school administration, or individual teachers.
- Do you have something to offer? ie SIGs on writing, music, games.
- Ask what problems they need to solve: offer continuing educational units.
Our equipment is out of date. What are some fundraising strategies?
- Have a door lottery or a paid raffle. (Be careful of state lottery laws.)
- Promote shopping affiliations on your web page.
- Charge for technical clinics.
- Have an auction.
- Beg members for additional money.
- Sell additional ad space in your magazine or on the web.
- Sell product.
We want to help others in our community. What are ways we can offer community service?
- Refurbish/recycle computers and place them, perhaps with low-end or disadvantaged users.
- Negotiate better 'deals' for needy non-profits. Help them solve their computer problems.
- Offer phone-answering services; people in your community need to know that you are a support resource.
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