From brandon at rhodesmill.org  Wed Apr  1 18:40:06 2009
From: brandon at rhodesmill.org (Brandon Craig Rhodes)
Date: Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:40:06 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] another Meetup: Atlanta
Message-ID: <87ocvg49ax.fsf@rhodesmill.org>

At PyCon this year, I've heard a rumor that (a) the PSF might be willing
to fund local Meetups rather than having their organizer have to pay for
it each month (or find local sponsors), and (b) that three organizations
could share a single Meetup.com account, and so have the expense at
least benefit three meetups rather than just one.

I'm the organizer of the Atlanta Python Meetup, and so am of course
interested in hearing whether these are only rumors, or whether our
Meetup.com account can indeed benefit other users groups.  Any info?

-- 
Brandon Craig Rhodes   brandon at rhodesmill.org   http://rhodesmill.org/brandon

From sdeibel at wingware.com  Wed Apr  1 18:48:35 2009
From: sdeibel at wingware.com (Stephan Deibel)
Date: Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:48:35 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] another Meetup: Atlanta
In-Reply-To: <87ocvg49ax.fsf@rhodesmill.org>
References: <87ocvg49ax.fsf@rhodesmill.org>
Message-ID: <49D39AE3.2020200@wingware.com>

Brandon Craig Rhodes wrote:
> At PyCon this year, I've heard a rumor that (a) the PSF might be willing
> to fund local Meetups rather than having their organizer have to pay for
> it each month (or find local sponsors), and (b) that three organizations
> could share a single Meetup.com account, and so have the expense at
> least benefit three meetups rather than just one.
> 
> I'm the organizer of the Atlanta Python Meetup, and so am of course
> interested in hearing whether these are only rumors, or whether our
> Meetup.com account can indeed benefit other users groups.  Any info?

To find out about PSF funding, email psf at python dot org.

To find out about meetup account sharing, I would think only meetup
can answer that. tho perhaps someone here has experience w/ that.
I do know from past experience that it's not always easy to give
meetup money if you're trying to pay for someone else's meetup.
Hopefully that has changed...

- Stephan



From tylersticky at gmail.com  Thu Apr  2 12:47:57 2009
From: tylersticky at gmail.com (Tyler Durden)
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 11:47:57 +0100
Subject: [group-organizers] Newbie
Message-ID: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,
I'm trying to start a local group. There are some directives that I
should follow? Can I use the Python logo or change it for my site?

Thanks,
Tyler

From mike at pythonlibrary.org  Fri Apr  3 05:43:14 2009
From: mike at pythonlibrary.org (Mike Driscoll)
Date: Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:43:14 -0500
Subject: [group-organizers] Newbie
In-Reply-To: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>
References: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49D585D2.1060406@pythonlibrary.org>

Hi Tyler,
> Hi all,
> I'm trying to start a local group. There are some directives that I
> should follow? Can I use the Python logo or change it for my site?
>
> Thanks,
> Tyler

According to the Python website, you can use the logo. Here's the quote 
and link:

"Projects and companies that use Python are encouraged to incorporate 
the Python logo on their websites, brochures, packaging, and elsewhere 
to indicate suitability for use with Python or implementation in 
Python." - http://www.python.org/community/logos/

As long as your main focus for your group is Python, it seems to be 
acceptable.

Also, go here and email the maintainer to get your group listed on the 
wiki: http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups

See also: http://python-groups.blogspot.com/ where you can post about 
your group.

- Mike


__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3984 (20090402) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

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From sdeibel at python.org  Thu Apr  2 15:57:21 2009
From: sdeibel at python.org (Stephan Deibel (PSF))
Date: Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:57:21 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Newbie
In-Reply-To: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>
References: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49D4C441.8050109@python.org>

Tyler Durden wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm trying to start a local group. There are some directives that I
> should follow? Can I use the Python logo or change it for my site?

You can use the logo for user groups w/o any problem.  See the policy:
http://www.python.org/psf/trademarks

For the unaltered logo, your use would be nominative so OK.  For
a derived logo, the policy says "Use of derived logos for user groups
and conferences -- Allowed if used to refer to the Python programming
language. Commercial user groups and for-profit conferences require
permission from the PSF."

If you have any doubts, email your intended use to psf at python dot org.

- Stephan

From mike at pythonlibrary.org  Fri Apr  3 14:58:16 2009
From: mike at pythonlibrary.org (Mike Driscoll)
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:58:16 -0500
Subject: [group-organizers] Newbie
In-Reply-To: <49D6050B.2020305@python.org>
References: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>
	<49D585D2.1060406@pythonlibrary.org> <49D6050B.2020305@python.org>
Message-ID: <49D607E8.2080204@pythonlibrary.org>

Stephan,

> Mike Driscoll wrote:
>> Also, go here and email the maintainer to get your group listed on 
>> the wiki: http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups
>
> Actually, this is a wiki so you should be able to edit the page yourself
> if you create an account and login (anonymous editing appears to be
> disabled).  If that doesn't work, I apparently have permissions to
> edit it but I would like to encourage people to pitch in on "gardening"
> the wiki.
>

That's weird. Back when I started the Iowa group, the page was locked 
down so I couldn't edit it. I think the guy I emailed said they were 
getting a lot of spam posts to that page or something. Maybe that's 
changed since last fall...

>> See also: http://python-groups.blogspot.com/ where you can post about 
>> your group.
>
> Also, you can announce it on the clpa mailing list / news group:
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-announce-list

I've done this practically since the beginning, but I'm pretty sure I've 
gotten zero responses from doing that. I got more interest by posting to 
the various web framework groups, which I didn't expect. So I recommend 
hitting the big three for a couple of months and then maybe drop that to 
a few times a year. By the big three, I mean Django, TurboGears and 
Plone/Zope. They seem to have the most members in their groups.

>
> - Stephan
>


- Mike


__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3985 (20090403) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com



From sdeibel at wingware.com  Fri Apr  3 15:18:29 2009
From: sdeibel at wingware.com (Stephan Deibel)
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:18:29 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Newbie
In-Reply-To: <49D607E8.2080204@pythonlibrary.org>
References: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>	<49D585D2.1060406@pythonlibrary.org>
	<49D6050B.2020305@python.org> <49D607E8.2080204@pythonlibrary.org>
Message-ID: <49D60CA5.8050905@wingware.com>

Mike Driscoll wrote:
>> Mike Driscoll wrote:
>>> Also, go here and email the maintainer to get your group listed on 
>>> the wiki: http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups
>>
>> Actually, this is a wiki so you should be able to edit the page yourself
>> if you create an account and login (anonymous editing appears to be
>> disabled).  If that doesn't work, I apparently have permissions to
>> edit it but I would like to encourage people to pitch in on "gardening"
>> the wiki.
>>
> 
> That's weird. Back when I started the Iowa group, the page was locked 
> down so I couldn't edit it. I think the guy I emailed said they were 
> getting a lot of spam posts to that page or something. Maybe that's 
> changed since last fall...

Looking at the change log, I'm fairly sure it's open to editing by
any one that is logged in, but I can't seem to find the way to
view permissions on the page probably because I'm not an admin.

In any case, this often changes in response to different types
of spam attacks.  I still encourage people to get a login and
ask for editing permissions if it proves necessary.  The more
people able to work on the wiki, the better!

- Stephan

From mike at pythonlibrary.org  Fri Apr  3 23:41:50 2009
From: mike at pythonlibrary.org (Mike Driscoll)
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:41:50 -0500
Subject: [group-organizers] Getting free books
Message-ID: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>

Hi,

When I was at PyCon last week, I attended a Local Users Group open space 
and they mentioned that various book publishers are known to give groups 
free books for their groups. They specifically mentioned Apress and 
O'Reilly. Does anyone have any contacts I can hit up? It would be cool 
to have some door prizes of some sort from time to time.

Thanks,

Mike Driscoll


__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3986 (20090403) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com



From mmarch at gmail.com  Fri Apr  3 23:44:12 2009
From: mmarch at gmail.com (Michael March)
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 14:44:12 -0700
Subject: [group-organizers] Getting free books
In-Reply-To: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>
References: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>
Message-ID: <48bc40670904031444l19be07e0rd0d2d4374557889a@mail.gmail.com>

Yeah.. I 2nd this request.. Swag always help..

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Mike Driscoll <mike at pythonlibrary.org>wrote:

> Hi,
>
> When I was at PyCon last week, I attended a Local Users Group open space
> and they mentioned that various book publishers are known to give groups
> free books for their groups. They specifically mentioned Apress and
> O'Reilly. Does anyone have any contacts I can hit up? It would be cool to
> have some door prizes of some sort from time to time.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike Driscoll
>
>
>
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From dundeemt at gmail.com  Sat Apr  4 00:26:13 2009
From: dundeemt at gmail.com (Jeff Hinrichs - DM&T)
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 17:26:13 -0500
Subject: [group-organizers] Getting free books
In-Reply-To: <48bc40670904031444l19be07e0rd0d2d4374557889a@mail.gmail.com>
References: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>
	<48bc40670904031444l19be07e0rd0d2d4374557889a@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <5aaed53f0904031526j3a0d9525k52343fb2b113cfa6@mail.gmail.com>

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 4:44 PM, Michael March <mmarch at gmail.com> wrote:

> Yeah.. I 2nd this request.. Swag always help..
>
> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Mike Driscoll <mike at pythonlibrary.org
> >wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > When I was at PyCon last week, I attended a Local Users Group open space
> > and they mentioned that various book publishers are known to give groups
> > free books for their groups. They specifically mentioned Apress and
> > O'Reilly. Does anyone have any contacts I can hit up? It would be cool to
> > have some door prizes of some sort from time to time.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Mike Driscoll
> >
> >
> >
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/group-organizers/attachments/20090403/91c5f2cc/attachment.htm
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Group-Organizers mailing list
> Group-Organizers at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers
>


At O'Reilly you will want to contact
 Marsee Henon <marsee at oreilly.com>

I don't have a contact for Apress.

Regards,

Jeff
-- 
Jeff Hinrichs
Dundee Media & Technology, Inc
jeffh at dundeemt.com
402.218.1473
web: www.dundeemt.com
blog: inre.dundeemt.com
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From david.christian at gmail.com  Sat Apr  4 00:34:43 2009
From: david.christian at gmail.com (David Christian)
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 18:34:43 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Getting free books
In-Reply-To: <5aaed53f0904031526j3a0d9525k52343fb2b113cfa6@mail.gmail.com>
References: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>
	<48bc40670904031444l19be07e0rd0d2d4374557889a@mail.gmail.com> 
	<5aaed53f0904031526j3a0d9525k52343fb2b113cfa6@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <63940b00904031534j6e22bda2md3ece6a16663d8b6@mail.gmail.com>

cherylmartinez at apress.com is the user group liason, but I believe my
group was registered (in both cases) by going through a form on their
website.

Here is the apress link:
http://www.apress.com/community/usergroup_signup

Oreilly:
http://ug.oreilly.com/register.csp

Dave

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 6:26 PM, Jeff Hinrichs - DM&T <dundeemt at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 4:44 PM, Michael March <mmarch at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Yeah.. I 2nd this request.. Swag always help..
>>
>> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Mike Driscoll <mike at pythonlibrary.org
>> >wrote:
>>
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > When I was at PyCon last week, I attended a Local Users Group open space
>> > and they mentioned that various book publishers are known to give groups
>> > free books for their groups. They specifically mentioned Apress and
>> > O'Reilly. Does anyone have any contacts I can hit up? It would be cool to
>> > have some door prizes of some sort from time to time.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Mike Driscoll
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL: <
>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/group-organizers/attachments/20090403/91c5f2cc/attachment.htm
>> >
>> _______________________________________________
>> Group-Organizers mailing list
>> Group-Organizers at python.org
>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers
>>
>
>
> At O'Reilly you will want to contact
> ?Marsee Henon <marsee at oreilly.com>
>
> I don't have a contact for Apress.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jeff
> --
> Jeff Hinrichs
> Dundee Media & Technology, Inc
> jeffh at dundeemt.com
> 402.218.1473
> web: www.dundeemt.com
> blog: inre.dundeemt.com
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://mail.python.org/mailman/private/group-organizers/attachments/20090403/fc5ad203/attachment.htm>
> _______________________________________________
> Group-Organizers mailing list
> Group-Organizers at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers
>

From john at szakmeister.net  Sat Apr  4 02:28:28 2009
From: john at szakmeister.net (John Szakmeister)
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 20:28:28 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Newbie
In-Reply-To: <49D60CA5.8050905@wingware.com>
References: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>
	<49D585D2.1060406@pythonlibrary.org> <49D6050B.2020305@python.org>
	<49D607E8.2080204@pythonlibrary.org> <49D60CA5.8050905@wingware.com>
Message-ID: <a1c1f4750904031728u79997ddej531bdf58ca26248a@mail.gmail.com>

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 9:18 AM, Stephan Deibel <sdeibel at wingware.com> wrote:
[snip]
> Looking at the change log, I'm fairly sure it's open to editing by
> any one that is logged in, but I can't seem to find the way to
> view permissions on the page probably because I'm not an admin.
>
> In any case, this often changes in response to different types
> of spam attacks. ?I still encourage people to get a login and
> ask for editing permissions if it proves necessary. ?The more
> people able to work on the wiki, the better!

I recently requested access to the page (I forget the person's name,
but I wanted to add BACON-PIG to the list), and the person completely
unlocked it.  So as long as the spam stays low, I expect it'll stay
that way.

-John

From sdeibel at python.org  Fri Apr  3 14:46:03 2009
From: sdeibel at python.org (Stephan Deibel (PSF))
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:46:03 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Newbie
In-Reply-To: <49D585D2.1060406@pythonlibrary.org>
References: <ab07320e0904020347l52f1bf54ifd47a96fc3d2b3cc@mail.gmail.com>
	<49D585D2.1060406@pythonlibrary.org>
Message-ID: <49D6050B.2020305@python.org>

Mike Driscoll wrote:
> Also, go here and email the maintainer to get your group listed on the 
> wiki: http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups

Actually, this is a wiki so you should be able to edit the page yourself
if you create an account and login (anonymous editing appears to be
disabled).  If that doesn't work, I apparently have permissions to
edit it but I would like to encourage people to pitch in on "gardening"
the wiki.

> See also: http://python-groups.blogspot.com/ where you can post about 
> your group.

Also, you can announce it on the clpa mailing list / news group:
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-announce-list

- Stephan

From sdeibel at python.org  Fri Apr  3 23:51:17 2009
From: sdeibel at python.org (Stephan Deibel (PSF))
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:51:17 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Getting free books
In-Reply-To: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>
References: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>
Message-ID: <49D684D5.5030000@python.org>

Mike Driscoll wrote:
> When I was at PyCon last week, I attended a Local Users Group open space 
> and they mentioned that various book publishers are known to give groups 
> free books for their groups. They specifically mentioned Apress and 
> O'Reilly. Does anyone have any contacts I can hit up? It would be cool 
> to have some door prizes of some sort from time to time.

I've forwarded this to a contact at Packt, in case they are interested.
So they may be contacting you or others that express interest.  I've
pointed them at the mailing list so perhaps they will join.

- Stephan

From mike at pythonlibrary.org  Sat Apr  4 14:49:17 2009
From: mike at pythonlibrary.org (Mike Driscoll)
Date: Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:49:17 -0500
Subject: [group-organizers] Getting free books
In-Reply-To: <63940b00904031534j6e22bda2md3ece6a16663d8b6@mail.gmail.com>
References: <49D6829E.5070906@pythonlibrary.org>	<48bc40670904031444l19be07e0rd0d2d4374557889a@mail.gmail.com>
	<5aaed53f0904031526j3a0d9525k52343fb2b113cfa6@mail.gmail.com>
	<63940b00904031534j6e22bda2md3ece6a16663d8b6@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49D7574D.8080602@pythonlibrary.org>

Hi,

Thanks for all the info. I'll put it to good use.

Mike

> cherylmartinez at apress.com is the user group liason, but I believe my
> group was registered (in both cases) by going through a form on their
> website.
>
> Here is the apress link:
> http://www.apress.com/community/usergroup_signup
>
> Oreilly:
> http://ug.oreilly.com/register.csp
>
> Dave
>
> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 6:26 PM, Jeff Hinrichs - DM&T <dundeemt at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 4:44 PM, Michael March <mmarch at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> Yeah.. I 2nd this request.. Swag always help..
>>>
>>> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Mike Driscoll <mike at pythonlibrary.org
>>>       
>>>> wrote:
>>>>         
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> When I was at PyCon last week, I attended a Local Users Group open space
>>>> and they mentioned that various book publishers are known to give groups
>>>> free books for their groups. They specifically mentioned Apress and
>>>> O'Reilly. Does anyone have any contacts I can hit up? It would be cool to
>>>> have some door prizes of some sort from time to time.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Mike Driscoll
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         
>>>
>> At O'Reilly you will want to contact
>>  Marsee Henon <marsee at oreilly.com>
>>
>> I don't have a contact for Apress.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Jeff
>> --
>> Jeff Hinrichs
>> Dundee Media & Technology, Inc
>> jeffh at dundeemt.com
>> 402.218.1473
>> web: www.dundeemt.com
>> blog: inre.dundeemt.com



__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3987 (20090404) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com



From david.christian at gmail.com  Sat Apr  4 19:30:10 2009
From: david.christian at gmail.com (David Christian)
Date: Sat, 4 Apr 2009 13:30:10 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Creating and growing your user group
Message-ID: <63940b00904041030i75f3ff73t53b522923ad3f561@mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,
This is the second year I've been to an Open Space event about local
Python Local Users Groups and again I found it very interesting.  I
also had a number of great conversations with others outside of that
open space about other local tech activities.  Thanks to everyone who
participated!

I'd like to recap what I've learned and what I think about user groups
here in hopes of getting the ball rolling for conversations about
techniques to make your group work.  I hope others find this useful.
Note that a lot of this advice is not from my personal experience but
from what others at the open spaces said.

=== Starting the group ===
* Have a website, and preferably your own domain name.
* Have a location you can rely upon.
* Get at least a few people you can count on as core members who will
contribute regularly to the running of the group.

To me, doing these three things right is the most important part.
Especially the meeting location.  If you can get a good, reliable
location that will allow you to have the space on a regular schedule
and is large enough for the group size you intend to support, you are
half-way there to having a successful meetup group.

=== Getting a location ===
* Businesses that are heavily invested in your technology may sponsor
your group.
* Libraries often have space available, although their hours can be limited
* In NYC, there are bars that host groups on off-nights - they can see
it as a way to fill their bar with tech people :)
* Coworking spaces are often a good choice as well, as they want their
members to be able to network.

=== Advertising your group ===
* Register on meetup.com.  If you like, talk to the PSF about paying
for the meetup fees.
* Consider putting your group on facebook, upcoming, and other places.
** Note that there is a cost to putting your energies into keeping
these multiple places up to date, but it can get you users who would
otherwise not find you.
* Do a good search on your technology + location, if your group
doesn't come up first after a bit consider investing in google
adwords, or getting as many people as possible to link to your group.

=== Content of the meeting ===
There are lots of different things to do at meetings.
* Presenters
* Lightning talks
* Code reviews
* Display videos
* Standard module of the month

Some people find it works not to have a topic but just have people
talk about what they've found interesting and what they're working on.

Often groups meet for beer/food before and/or after the meeting, to
give people a chance to congregate and hang out after the meeting
place has closed.

=== Speakers ===
I think others may have better advice about how to get speakers.  I've
found that keeping the presentations short, and maybe having two or
three speakers, is a good alternative to having one speaker (unless a
good speaker volunteers!).  It takes some of the load off the speaker
and gets more people invovled.

=== Social meetings ===
Some groups hold social meetings occasionally, often inviting other
tech groups.  This can be a potluck affair so that the only real
concern is getting the space.  The portland group has a twice-a-year
social even where the dynamic-language groups all get together.

=== Presenting for upcoming conferences ===
A local meeting is a good place to have members practice for upcoming
conferences.  You may find that if you can find three people to give a
presentation on a topic that suddenly you are creating something
larger.

=== Hack sessions ===
I don't have experience with this yet, but if you get people together
to work on projects, you can have some people show up with projects
they're already interested in and have others show up without projects
and people will gravitate towards the projects they're interested in.
It works well if experienced programmers come with projects and the
less experienced programmers can pair up with them.  I'd love to hear
more about how to make these work.

=== Other types of meetings ===
One of the amazing things about tech today is that if you state
clearly that something is going to happen, and give people enough
information about what you're planning, people will show up (thanks to
Brian Dorsey for this).  Some other types of meetings I've heard
people running or participating in:

* Startup weekend.
* Unconferences/barcamp
* Saturday house
* Local conferences

Your group could host any one of these.

=== An alternative ===
Last year there was a group where people only got together for social
meetings _unless_ someone felt strongly that there was something they
wanted to present about.  I haven't heard of this happening anywhere
else.

=== Thanks ===
Thanks to all the leaders  leaders for coming and sharing their advice
about their user groups at the open space.   And thanks to all of you
for being interested in your communities!  Without you, the world
would be less connected and less interesting.

David Christian
NYC Python Group

From david.christian at gmail.com  Sat Apr  4 19:34:26 2009
From: david.christian at gmail.com (David Christian)
Date: Sat, 4 Apr 2009 13:34:26 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Sources of advice for growing your user group.
Message-ID: <63940b00904041034p3b145515td364664ac84cdedb@mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,
I hope the previous email about my personal advice on staring your
user group was interesting.

One thought has occurred to me as I've been speaking to others about
their user groups this weekend: almost none of the information and
advice is python-specific!  (Though I do think that the technology
does shape what works well for python groups).   Does anyone know of a
place where advice and information on staring a user group is
collated?

My feeling is that there is a huge amount of information on this topic
and stories that could be collected from around the country that could
help user groups grow faster. I've seen some sites that offer advice
on starting a user group [1], but the information is often too
perscriptive as opposed to descriptive.  User groups cannot be
separated from the community that they're in, and I think anyone who
tries to give you one set of advice for how to run your group is
steering you wrong.

Thus, I'd like to start collating real advice from real user groups
(python and beyond!) about what works and what doesn't, categorized by
topic, that is based on real stories that remain attached to the
advice so that the reader can determine whether a similar situation
might apply.  Let me know if this sounds like something you might want
to get involved in.

Cheers,
David Christian
NYC Python

[1]:
So far I've seen:
* Python: http://wiki.python.org/moin/StartingYourUsersGroup
* Jeff Rush's presentation last year:
http://us.pycon.org/common/2008/talkdata/PyCon2008/014/running-a-usergroup.pdf
* Linux: http://linuxmafia.com/faq/Linux_PR/newlug.html
* Open Solaris:
http://blogs.sun.com/jimgris/entry/running_successful_opensolaris_user_groups
* .net: http://frazzleddad.blogspot.com/2005/07/its-been-something-like-three-or-four.html
* Borland: http://info.borland.com/programs/usergroups/startup/#understanding
* One person's stories: http://www.igloocoder.com/archive/2006/06/13/350.aspx
* ruby: http://www.adaruby.com/2007/08/08/unleashing-the-potential-of-the-ruby-community/
* Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/mindshare/startusergroup.mspx
and http://blogs.msdn.com/darrylburling/archive/2007/09/14/starting-a-user-group-lessons-learnt.aspx
and http://www.microsoft.com/communities/guide/usergroups.mspx

(thanks, google).

From sdeibel at python.org  Mon Apr  6 16:24:04 2009
From: sdeibel at python.org (Stephan Deibel (PSF))
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:24:04 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Creating and growing your user group
In-Reply-To: <63940b00904041030i75f3ff73t53b522923ad3f561@mail.gmail.com>
References: <63940b00904041030i75f3ff73t53b522923ad3f561@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49DA1084.6040107@python.org>

Hi,

This is very useful.  I think it answers in detail the most commonly
asked questions here.

Would you be willing to update http://wiki.python.org/moin/StartingYourUsersGroup
based on this?

I've made a link to that page from the LocalUserGroups page, which for
some reason did not have a link from its Starting/Running section to
the above:

http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups#StartingandRunningaUserGroup

I saw your next message but don't have a suggestion on where to put general
user group info.  However, certainly the above StartingYourUsersGroup page
can be used by anyone, not just Python folks.  If you do start a separate
page, please add a link to it from StartingYourUsersGroup.

Thanks,

- Stephan

---------------------------

David Christian wrote:
> Hi all,
> This is the second year I've been to an Open Space event about local
> Python Local Users Groups and again I found it very interesting.  I
> also had a number of great conversations with others outside of that
> open space about other local tech activities.  Thanks to everyone who
> participated!
> 
> I'd like to recap what I've learned and what I think about user groups
> here in hopes of getting the ball rolling for conversations about
> techniques to make your group work.  I hope others find this useful.
> Note that a lot of this advice is not from my personal experience but
> from what others at the open spaces said.
> 
> === Starting the group ===
> * Have a website, and preferably your own domain name.
> * Have a location you can rely upon.
> * Get at least a few people you can count on as core members who will
> contribute regularly to the running of the group.
> 
> To me, doing these three things right is the most important part.
> Especially the meeting location.  If you can get a good, reliable
> location that will allow you to have the space on a regular schedule
> and is large enough for the group size you intend to support, you are
> half-way there to having a successful meetup group.
> 
> === Getting a location ===
> * Businesses that are heavily invested in your technology may sponsor
> your group.
> * Libraries often have space available, although their hours can be limited
> * In NYC, there are bars that host groups on off-nights - they can see
> it as a way to fill their bar with tech people :)
> * Coworking spaces are often a good choice as well, as they want their
> members to be able to network.
> 
> === Advertising your group ===
> * Register on meetup.com.  If you like, talk to the PSF about paying
> for the meetup fees.
> * Consider putting your group on facebook, upcoming, and other places.
> ** Note that there is a cost to putting your energies into keeping
> these multiple places up to date, but it can get you users who would
> otherwise not find you.
> * Do a good search on your technology + location, if your group
> doesn't come up first after a bit consider investing in google
> adwords, or getting as many people as possible to link to your group.
> 
> === Content of the meeting ===
> There are lots of different things to do at meetings.
> * Presenters
> * Lightning talks
> * Code reviews
> * Display videos
> * Standard module of the month
> 
> Some people find it works not to have a topic but just have people
> talk about what they've found interesting and what they're working on.
> 
> Often groups meet for beer/food before and/or after the meeting, to
> give people a chance to congregate and hang out after the meeting
> place has closed.
> 
> === Speakers ===
> I think others may have better advice about how to get speakers.  I've
> found that keeping the presentations short, and maybe having two or
> three speakers, is a good alternative to having one speaker (unless a
> good speaker volunteers!).  It takes some of the load off the speaker
> and gets more people invovled.
> 
> === Social meetings ===
> Some groups hold social meetings occasionally, often inviting other
> tech groups.  This can be a potluck affair so that the only real
> concern is getting the space.  The portland group has a twice-a-year
> social even where the dynamic-language groups all get together.
> 
> === Presenting for upcoming conferences ===
> A local meeting is a good place to have members practice for upcoming
> conferences.  You may find that if you can find three people to give a
> presentation on a topic that suddenly you are creating something
> larger.
> 
> === Hack sessions ===
> I don't have experience with this yet, but if you get people together
> to work on projects, you can have some people show up with projects
> they're already interested in and have others show up without projects
> and people will gravitate towards the projects they're interested in.
> It works well if experienced programmers come with projects and the
> less experienced programmers can pair up with them.  I'd love to hear
> more about how to make these work.
> 
> === Other types of meetings ===
> One of the amazing things about tech today is that if you state
> clearly that something is going to happen, and give people enough
> information about what you're planning, people will show up (thanks to
> Brian Dorsey for this).  Some other types of meetings I've heard
> people running or participating in:
> 
> * Startup weekend.
> * Unconferences/barcamp
> * Saturday house
> * Local conferences
> 
> Your group could host any one of these.
> 
> === An alternative ===
> Last year there was a group where people only got together for social
> meetings _unless_ someone felt strongly that there was something they
> wanted to present about.  I haven't heard of this happening anywhere
> else.
> 
> === Thanks ===
> Thanks to all the leaders  leaders for coming and sharing their advice
> about their user groups at the open space.   And thanks to all of you
> for being interested in your communities!  Without you, the world
> would be less connected and less interesting.
> 
> David Christian
> NYC Python Group
> _______________________________________________
> Group-Organizers mailing list
> Group-Organizers at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers


From catherine.devlin at gmail.com  Wed Apr  8 21:02:34 2009
From: catherine.devlin at gmail.com (Catherine Devlin)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 15:02:34 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Sources of advice for growing your user
	group.
In-Reply-To: <63940b00904041034p3b145515td364664ac84cdedb@mail.gmail.com>
References: <63940b00904041034p3b145515td364664ac84cdedb@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6523e39a0904081202p4131b6u3a1da63fd97bc917@mail.gmail.com>

Two "not quite the droid you're looking for" ideas:

1. http://www.apcug.net/

Hey, David, looks like you're in range of this:http://ldc.apcug.org/

2. Science-fiction fandom is not exactly the same as software geekdom
(PenguiCon notwithstanding), BUT when I asked this question, I was advised
to look into SMOFcon - the Secret Masters Of Fandom, a sort of meta-group
for SF geeks.  amk had also been to a SMOFcon years ago, for just this
purpose.

So I planned to go to their conference in Ohio... then got miserably sick
that weekend.  Oh well.

Next one's in Texas in December.  If any of you happen to be nearby, go for
it and report back!

http://alamo-sf.org/smofcon27/

On Sat, Apr 4, 2009 at 1:34 PM, David Christian
<david.christian at gmail.com>wrote:

>
> One thought has occurred to me as I've been speaking to others about
> their user groups this weekend: almost none of the information and
> advice is python-specific!  (Though I do think that the technology
> does shape what works well for python groups).   Does anyone know of a
> place where advice and information on staring a user group is
> collated?
>

-- 
- Catherine
http://catherinedevlin.blogspot.com/
*** PyCon * March 27-29, 2009 * Chicago * us.pycon.org ***
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From david.christian at gmail.com  Thu Apr  9 05:37:06 2009
From: david.christian at gmail.com (David Christian)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 23:37:06 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Creating and growing your user group
In-Reply-To: <49DA1084.6040107@python.org>
References: <63940b00904041030i75f3ff73t53b522923ad3f561@mail.gmail.com> 
	<49DA1084.6040107@python.org>
Message-ID: <63940b00904082037y6d17d48dr7e82fe5392960d9e@mail.gmail.com>

On Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Stephan Deibel (PSF)
<sdeibel at python.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This is very useful. ?I think it answers in detail the most commonly
> asked questions here.
>
> Would you be willing to update
> http://wiki.python.org/moin/StartingYourUsersGroup
> based on this?

Hi,
I realized I had responded to this privately.  I have now updated the
wiki page.  I hope others will use the hooks I've put in there to fill
in more information!  Perhaps some of the topics for meetings should
be subpages.

Cheers,
Dave

From sdeibel at wingware.com  Mon Apr 13 20:58:44 2009
From: sdeibel at wingware.com (Stephan Deibel)
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:58:44 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Creating and growing your user group
In-Reply-To: <63940b00904082037y6d17d48dr7e82fe5392960d9e@mail.gmail.com>
References: <63940b00904041030i75f3ff73t53b522923ad3f561@mail.gmail.com>
	<49DA1084.6040107@python.org>
	<63940b00904082037y6d17d48dr7e82fe5392960d9e@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49E38B64.4000404@wingware.com>

David Christian wrote:
> On Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Stephan Deibel (PSF)
> <sdeibel at python.org> wrote:
>   
>> Hi,
>>
>> This is very useful.  I think it answers in detail the most commonly
>> asked questions here.
>>
>> Would you be willing to update
>> http://wiki.python.org/moin/StartingYourUsersGroup
>> based on this?
>>     
>
> Hi,
> I realized I had responded to this privately.  I have now updated the
> wiki page.  I hope others will use the hooks I've put in there to fill
> in more information!  Perhaps some of the topics for meetings should
> be subpages.
>   
Thanks for updating the page!

-- 

Stephan


From mmarch at gmail.com  Tue Apr 14 19:18:15 2009
From: mmarch at gmail.com (Michael March)
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:18:15 -0700
Subject: [group-organizers] Meetup fees...
In-Reply-To: <49C715F4.2030406@taupro.com>
References: <48bc40670903221108y2e9f1d54le36d254c4fa39a49@mail.gmail.com>
	<4957f1ef0903221954s6ce7b13er429e0d7ba6514df9@mail.gmail.com>
	<49C715F4.2030406@taupro.com>
Message-ID: <48bc40670904141018q466ad40cje07074eb55733c66@mail.gmail.com>

Jeff.. did you make any progress on this topic when at PyCon?



On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 9:54 PM, Jeff Rush <jeff at taupro.com> wrote:

> Brad Allen wrote:
>
>> On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 1:08 PM, Michael March <mmarch at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>  In min 2007 when I started the Phoenix, AZ Python UG (SunPiggies) someone
>>> on
>>> this list (I think) told me that I could get reimbursed for the Meetup
>>> fees.
>>> Of course I never bothered to find out the procedure of how to do that so
>>> I've been paying the $17 a month.
>>>
>>
>> Meetup.com has also been an effective advertising vehicle for the Dallas
>> group. Hopefully the PSF will agree to foot the bill; you can find info
>> about how to contact them at <http://www.python.org/psf/about/>.
>>
>
> I am in contact with Meetup.com to see how this can be managed and then
> will bring it up to the PSF board.  They were agreeable a year ago but the
> details of -how- have never been worked out.  I'll pursue that during PyCon
> next week where the board will be available.  I'm also running for the board
> so I should be able to get some kind of answer.
>
> -Jeff
>
>


-- 
<admiral>

Michael F. March ----- mmarch at gmail.com
Ph: (415)462-1910 ---- Fax: (602)296-0400
P.O. Box 2254 ---- Phoenix, AZ 85002-2254
         "Seriously" - HSR
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From david.christian at gmail.com  Wed Apr 15 00:09:46 2009
From: david.christian at gmail.com (David Christian)
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:09:46 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Starting a meeting
Message-ID: <63940b00904141509s6dc614aalc904d09aae594348@mail.gmail.com>

I found this (amusing way to choose a meeting location)

http://www.svbug.com/shotgun_rules.txt

Through this: (handout at OSCON last year about user groups)
http://www.baconandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/ug-printed-material-v2.pdf

Through this: upcoming NE region user group leader discussion
http://neugsummit2009.pbwiki.com/User-Group-Resources

Thought I'd share three resources I discovered today about user groups
that I think are interesting.

Cheers,
Dave

From david.christian at gmail.com  Thu Apr 16 18:51:02 2009
From: david.christian at gmail.com (David Christian)
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:51:02 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Hack nights?
Message-ID: <63940b00904160951y4b948734ve7599996acb13aaf@mail.gmail.com>

Hey all,
There was some discussion of hack nights when we were at pycon.

I'm looking at starting such a thing here in NYC and so I wanted to
keep that conversation going.

I think the trickiest thing w/ hack nights is how to get things going
- do you have one large project, or do you have lots of people doing
their own projects?

The details of making this work correctly I think are more tricky than
they might seem, and it seems like it would be easy for a hack night
to either devolve into everyone working on their own thing (I've seen
this) or having it die when interest in a particular project dies
(I've seen this too!)

Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Dave
NYCPython.org

From david.christian at gmail.com  Wed Apr 22 19:06:04 2009
From: david.christian at gmail.com (David Christian)
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:06:04 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Teach me X
Message-ID: <63940b00904221006y5da52377r81cc0b2371bb0fdb@mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,

We just had a lightning talk evening here in NYC.  The format was very
well received - I think people were looking for a way to get more
involved.  I think there is a minimum size for your group before this
type of format works though; we tried it last year when we had about
10 people showing up regularly and it was not successful at all.
There's a lot of energy in the group right now, and several people
suggested trying to duplicate Steve Holden's patented "Teach me
twisted" or "Teach me web testing" format.

Has anyone had success duplicating this at their group?  My concern
would be that the group, not being self-selecting in the same way,
might have trouble finding a topic about which to do  the "teach me"
session.

Thoughts?

Dave

From brandon at rhodesmill.org  Wed Apr 22 19:13:24 2009
From: brandon at rhodesmill.org (Brandon Craig Rhodes)
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:13:24 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Teach me X
In-Reply-To: <63940b00904221006y5da52377r81cc0b2371bb0fdb@mail.gmail.com>
	(David Christian's message of "Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:06:04 -0400")
References: <63940b00904221006y5da52377r81cc0b2371bb0fdb@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <87tz4gtxvv.fsf@rhodesmill.org>

David Christian <david.christian at gmail.com> writes:

> Has anyone had success duplicating this at their group?  My concern
> would be that the group, not being self-selecting in the same way,
> might have trouble finding a topic about which to do the "teach me"
> session.

My fear would be an even larger one: that there would not be experts
present in the audience to *do* the teaching!  A Teach-Me session is
often successful at a conference because the authors or proponents of
the framework or topic in question see the announcement and show up to
give instruction, answer questions, and make their product look good.
At a local group meeting, on the other hand, experts won't just show up
for free; you'll have to carefully choose a topic that you have local
expertise on, or else risk having the blind lead the blind. :-)

-- 
Brandon Craig Rhodes   brandon at rhodesmill.org   http://rhodesmill.org/brandon

From catherine.devlin at gmail.com  Wed Apr 22 19:45:03 2009
From: catherine.devlin at gmail.com (Catherine Devlin)
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:45:03 -0400
Subject: [group-organizers] Teach me X
In-Reply-To: <63940b00904221006y5da52377r81cc0b2371bb0fdb@mail.gmail.com>
References: <63940b00904221006y5da52377r81cc0b2371bb0fdb@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6523e39a0904221045s41e5c86q2aa0e269a71421a0@mail.gmail.com>

Dayton's Dynamic Language Programming group averages about 10 people
per meeting.  We did a very successful "Teach Me Ruby" session where I
was the ignorant student/presenter, and our one hard-core Rubyist
supplied the knowledge.  It would have been even better with a couple
more Rubyists, but I think it works well as long as you have at least
one expert who promises to be there.  It probably helps if the expert
is the gregarious, effusive sort.

On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 1:06 PM, David Christian
<david.christian at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> We just had a lightning talk evening here in NYC. ?The format was very
> well received - I think people were looking for a way to get more
> involved. ?I think there is a minimum size for your group before this
> type of format works though; we tried it last year when we had about
> 10 people showing up regularly and it was not successful at all.
> There's a lot of energy in the group right now, and several people
> suggested trying to duplicate Steve Holden's patented "Teach me
> twisted" or "Teach me web testing" format.
>
> Has anyone had success duplicating this at their group? ?My concern
> would be that the group, not being self-selecting in the same way,
> might have trouble finding a topic about which to do ?the "teach me"
> session.
>

-- 
- Catherine
http://catherinedevlin.blogspot.com/
*** PyOhio * July 25-26, 2009 * pyohio.org ***

From bradallen137 at gmail.com  Thu Apr 23 14:54:00 2009
From: bradallen137 at gmail.com (Brad Allen)
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:54:00 -0500
Subject: [group-organizers] Teach me X
In-Reply-To: <87tz4gtxvv.fsf@rhodesmill.org>
References: <63940b00904221006y5da52377r81cc0b2371bb0fdb@mail.gmail.com>
	<87tz4gtxvv.fsf@rhodesmill.org>
Message-ID: <4957f1ef0904230554o2c7379eft5ed16f0fc47cbb42@mail.gmail.com>

On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 12:13 PM, Brandon Craig Rhodes
<brandon at rhodesmill.org> wrote:
> David Christian <david.christian at gmail.com> writes:
>
>> Has anyone had success duplicating this at their group? ?My concern
>> would be that the group, not being self-selecting in the same way,
>> might have trouble finding a topic about which to do the "teach me"
>> session.
>
> My fear would be an even larger one: that there would not be experts
> present in the audience to *do* the teaching! ?A Teach-Me session is
> often successful at a conference because the authors or proponents of
> the framework or topic in question see the announcement and show up to
> give instruction, answer questions, and make their product look good.
> At a local group meeting, on the other hand, experts won't just show up
> for free; you'll have to carefully choose a topic that you have local
> expertise on, or else risk having the blind lead the blind. :-)

If no expert is present, sometimes a source code walkthrough and/or
tutorial walkthrough can work for user group meetings, provided you
have a projector available. Instead of calling it a "teach me"
session, it could be called a "let's explore" session.