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[LUG] DCGLUG Regular Meetings, Venue etc

 

Hi,

the mailing list has already had a few comments from the end of the last
meeting. But for those that didn't, or couldn't attend...

The meeting actually drew to a natural conclusion about 21:00, but we
managed to stand around chatting for 2 hours about various topics,
mostly about how the GLUG is organised(?!), till we were told the place
was about to close (and even then....).

Key Points I remember...

(we don't have a secretary to take minutes, a committee, or any of that)

.... were discussed were....


Frequency

Seems a consensus that a regular physical meeting venue would be a good
thing. Probably monthly. Even if sometimes it might not get a huge
attendance it would be another aspect of the group, beyond a mailing list.


Location

We've had quite a few meetings in Exeter and Paignton, and we are very
grateful to Mark E., and Paul S. for their efforts in arranging for
these venues.

However for regular meetings we think this is too far East, especially
given the large contingent of Plymouth visitors, and the lack of Cornish
members in attendance.

As such we want to find a good meeting venue, somewhere near the
Devon/Cornwall border, with Internet connectivity, and plenty of power
points. Ready access to food/drink a bonus.

Ben offered to look for a venue at, or around, Plymouth University.
Plymouth being the most obvious place on the Devon/Cornwall border. If
he succeeds we hope to hold a meeting there shortly.

Other good venues sought....



Organisation of Meetings

Two new, recent, attendees to meetings have privately said to me they
would prefer more structured meetings, or a more structured introduction.

However the feeling I got from the established members is that they are
quite happy with the current slightly anarchic form, where people chat,
seek out those with relevant knowledge and experience, and in some cases
even get help with one or two computing problems.

It was agreed that the big structured all day events work well, and
provide enough scope for people to attend talks, and also to socialise,
and do hands on problem solving, or installation, and also agreed they
were a lot of work to organise, and promote.

As a compromise, we'll look at providing some information about members
(badges?, posters), as discussed already. With a welcome, or keysigning
type section at the start of meetings.

Other ideas and suggestions for how to make meetings friendlier to
newcomers welcomed. Although I think if the newcomers only expect it to
be a room full of people chatting, rather than anything more structured,
hopefully they'll just feel happy wandering in and talking to people. No
you haven't missed anything at the beginning, that is just how we are....

There is a desire to whole a whole day meeting, with speakers and
things, but no one volunteered to start the ball rolling. I'm definitely
overcommitted at the moment.


I think Paul and Rob were discussing related promotional stuff, but they
can speak up when they have something more to say.

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