[Beds] October News

[Tom Chance]

Hi Neil,

My reason for not attending many meetings now is that during term-time I
live in Reading! ;-) But if there are meetings in my holidays I'll try to come
along.

I think one good way of getting meetings going is to offer more than a
chance to get together and chat with fellow GNU/Linux users... one way would be to
attend other local LUGs' meetings that have something special planned (like
a talk from someone "famous", or an event), just to get Beds LUG members
together even if it's not on our own turf. We could also endeavour to meet up
when going ot other events that might be relevant, such as Linux Expos, other
technology shows, CDR (campaign for digital rights) meetings. Having a calendar
on the LUG web site which members could add entries to would make this a lot
easier.

Incedentally, how many "members" are there?

Tom


> Hi All,
> 
> As part of the LUG's activities I would like to initiate an monthly news 
> bulletin to provide a summary of what LUG members have been up to, on a 
> monthly basis.
> 
> This bulletin will be delivered through the mailing list and I'll do my
> best 
> to word it so that mail filters don't categorise it as Spam.
> 
> Obviously, this month there is little in the way of news to relate but I 
> would like to solicit opinion on why the LUG seems to be drawing so few 
> members to the meetings and explore alternatives.
> 
> As you are probably aware, it was my intention to have meetings on a
> monthly 
> basis so that members can meet in public and share their ideas. We've had
> two 
> meetings where four, or so, people have turned out but I'm sure there is 
> potential to do better.
> 
> Are Bedfordians adversed to meeting in pubs and consuming alcohol? Are
> they a 
> naturally shy bunch of people? I think the answer to these questions is
> No, 
> so what is keeping people away? This is your chance to air your views on
> why 
> you don't attend meetings. If there is a general feeling that something is
> 
> missing from the format of the meetings, I will make an effort to address
> the 
> problem but please advise me what it is.
> 
> Relating to the meetings, my wife is presently undergoing a pregnancy with
> a 
> number of complications. Consequently, the time I will have available for
> LUG 
> meetings etc., in the short term, will be limited. If someone wishes to 
> volunteer to manage the arrangements for the November meeting I would be 
> extremely grateful. If there are multiple volunteers we can arrange a
> rota. 
> I'm happy for members to take on this sort of responsibility for the
> benefit 
> of the LUG as a whole.
> 
> We have an IRC channel which receives very little use (although I maintain
> a 
> presence by using a dircproxy connection and there is a semi-intelligent
> Bot 
> to keep an eye on the channel). Would members feel more comfortable about 
> holding a regular meeting online? I don't see an online meeting as a 
> substitute for a real face-to-face or hands-on meeting but it may
> encourage 
> more participation from members.
> 
> Let me add that I took on the management of the LUG with the intention of 
> bringing people together. I know we're a talented bunch of people and we
> have 
> a lot to share between ourselves and the wider community. Please help me
> to 
> keep the LUG alive and achieve this goal.
> 
> Regards,
> Neil Darlow M.Sc. - LUGmaster
> -- 
> Open Standards/Free Software Consultants http://www.darlow.co.uk/
> ICQ: 135505456  E-Mail, Jabber, MSNM: see following GnuPG identity
> 1024D/531F9048 1999-09-11 Neil Darlow <neil@darlow.co.uk>
> GnuPG fingerprint = 359D B8FF 6273 6C32 BEAA  43F9 E579 E24A 531F 9048
> 
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