[Ubuntu-SG] Maybe we can pick up a few points from this

[suhaw koh]

http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-to-run-a-successful-linux-user-group-527915?artc_pg=1

How to run a successful Linux User Group Golden rules to regenerate your LUG

March 8th |

If there was one thing *Linux Format* magazine learned from the Readers'
Round Table event it organised, it was that us Linux folk like to get out
and have a good chat.

Over the several hours we were all together, we covered dozens of subjects,
and the conversation was lively and opinionated. And that was with only nine
of us.

Imagine what such a meeting could be like if there were more attendees, more
of a schedule and a little better organisation?

This is the realm of the Linux User Group ¨C a network of Linux enthusiasts
that weave a web of community across the UK, and across almost every country
in the world. Many Linux fans get a great deal of camaraderie and
satisfaction from attending their local meetings, as well as support,
website portals, forums, mailing lists and IRC channels, all of which help
to glue the local Linux community together.

You might think that in the age of the internet and the wiki, physical
entities gathering together into some form of communion would be considered
out of date, but there's nothing quite like meeting people with similar
interests and seeing things for yourself.

It's for this reason that the local LUG is often the first port of call for
people just beginning to ignite their love of Linux, as well as people who
just want to meet people with similar interests. They provide a vital role
in helping the spread of Linux adoption, and a focal point for local
educational institutions and businesses.

*X factor *

Running a LUG isn't straightforward, and it requires a considerable amount
of effort and time. But there's a great deal you can do to make the whole
process easier to manage and more effective, while at the same time
revitalising your LUG and your membership. And anyone can do it.

As every be-suited middle manager knows, delegation is the key to both
success and instilling a sense of duty in the team. And it's the same for
LUGs. Many are run using a form of disorganised democracy, with no official
leader or spokesperson at the helm.

If you take a look at the list of LUGs on lug.uk.org<http://www.lug.uk.org/>,
for example, you'll see dozens of LUGs that don't even have a contact name.
This leaves many LUGs rudderless, even if there are people in the locality
who would like to be more involved. It's absolutely essential that there are
some people clearly in control.

As Rick Moen, editor of the LUG Howto and leader of many LUGs over his time,
puts it: "LUGs have succeeded wonderfully on the strength of ongoing efforts
from as few as four energetic and inquisitive people." From this we can
deduce that you need to find four people who are prepared to find time to
fit the LUG into their lives.

This makes the task of creating roles for people particularly difficult. But
there is a solution. Rather than subject your members to the LUG equivalent
of a US-style presidential election campaign, simply rotate the leadership
between the people who want to take a bigger role in the running of their
user group. It's then a simple matter of choosing between the other active
members who were up for greater involvement in any of the other roles you'd
like filled.

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-- 
________________________
Koh Su Haw  ÐíÊ÷ºÆ
http://suhaw.teresaville.org/
Tel : +65 6236 8194
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