Structuring of KCLUG [Was: Re: How is ITEC going?]

[Moss, Jon]

I guess it's time for my two cents worth.  :)

I attended my first (and so far only) KCLUG meeting last month.  I was,
predictably, the only women present for most of the meeting (another woman
did show up with a guy about an hour into the "meeting").

While I enjoyed "eavesdropping" on several very interesting conversations, I
did not come away with a lot of new Linux knowledge.  This mailing list has
been a wonderful boon, and I appreciate all the help and advice I have
received.

I have worked in the legal field as an IT professional for close to ten
years now.  I would have a very hard time explaining my experience at the
KCLUG meeting to the lawyers I work for.  :)

I am unable to attend this coming Tuesday's meeting because my bible study
class was rescheduled this week from Thursday to Tuesday.  Otherwise, I
would be there to support many of the suggestions that have been made on
this mailing list concerning more structure in the meetings.  A newbie night
is a very good suggestion.  Maybe I wouldn't feel so stupid then.  :)  I
would even be willing to drive east (I live in Leavenworth County, Kansas)
to Vaterott College if it meant I would learn and get hands-on experience
(rather than fumbling around at home on my own).

Good luck with the meeting.

Jon Moss

-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron [mailto:aaron at aarons.net]
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 12:34 AM
To: kclug at kclug.org
Subject: Re: Structuring of KCLUG [Was: Re: How is ITEC going?]

I hesitate to bring this up again since last time it wasn't very well
received.

I've offered to let the group use the facilities at Vatterott College.
There is Internet access, projectors, free parking, plenty of tables and a
nice big meeting space.  There's no charge.  The school would be happy to
have you.

I think a couple people balked at the location the last time I mentioned it.
For those of you that don't know, it's right across I-70 from the Truman
Sports Complex.  Essentially on the corner of 70 and 435.

The offer still stands.  The reason I bring it up again is the apparent need
for structure that would require more facilities then the library has.

If you've changed you mind, let me know.

Aaron

----- Original Message -----
From: "zscoundrel" <zscoundrel at kc.rr.com>
To: <kclug at kclug.org>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 12:15 AM
Subject: Re: Structuring of KCLUG [Was: Re: How is ITEC going?]

> At one time we had meetings and installfests.  Could we stick with that
> schedule and enforce it just a little?
>
> If we would actually have a meeting with a speaker and demo topics at
> the meetings, then we could have the much less formally structured get
> togethers for the installfests.
>
> I don't see a need for a lot of officers.  Perhaps the basic elected
> officers, Pres, VP, Sec and if we decide the group will need to manage
> any money, a treasurer.
>
> I can also see a need for a several people to act as meeting
> coordinators to take a particular meeting and organize
> topics/speakers/demos/specialized equipment.  They would be volunteers
> that report to the Pres/VP and do most of the leg work to get things set
> up for the meeting.
>
> The President would be responsible for running the meeting, keeping it
> on topic and keeping it moving along.
>
> The VP assists the President, fills in when he can't make it and helps
> keep order.
>
> The Secretary would keep meeting notes and get them to Hal or would have
> access to post them on the web server so every one will know what was
> discussed.  (This would include slides from presentations and any web
> links.)
>
> The meetings should be SHORT!!!  An hour or so unless the topic is a big
> one and requires more time.  The rest of the reserved time would be then
> be used for informal group chatting or working on installs,
> troubleshooting or whatever - just like we do now.
>
> This way the meeting after the meeting takes on more signifigance as a
> socializing event.
>
> This would probably take less effort to institute than it did to
> describe in this note!  We don't have to completely throw out the
> schedule, meeting place, meeting times, we just need to throw a little
> bit of organization in to keep things flowing and make the time much
> more productive.
>
>
> (Hey, did ya notice?? I didn't bag on M$ even once in over 300 words!)
>
> Jason Clinton wrote:
>
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> > Jim Herrmann wrote:
> > | Steve makes a good point.  Perhaps our group is growing enough that
more
> > | structure is warranted.  I think the "Installfest" and "Demoday"
> > concepts are
> > | out dated.  Linux is moving on, and so should our group.  I think
having
> > | someone show off some piece of software each meeting would be a great
> > idea.
> > | It wouldn't have to be the whole meting, just 20-30 minutes of it.  If
we
> > | have multiple people, we have plenty of time for multiple
> > presentations.  I
> > | think the biggest problem we have to overcome is projection.  Does
anyone
> > | have access to a portable projector for a laptop?  That would be all
> > we need
> > | to facitlitate demos.
> > |
> >
> > It is important to remember that the instant a loosly coaleced entity
> > begins to organize, it becomes less flexible. The beauty of open source
> > is that it is infinetly flexible.
> >
> > What I think is a much better idea would be for individuals whom have an
> > interest in a particular function that KCLUG doesn't perform now that
> > could be promoted through the LUG mailing list to go ahead and persue
> > that but at additional times. We could see if the library would be
> > willing to give us additional time for teaching linux classes or "newbie
> > nights". I don't think would should try to change what we're doing now
> > because it seems to serve it's purpose rather well: connecting Linux
> > people.
> >
> > I would be willing to teach some classes and I have access to LCD
> > projectors.
> >
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