How works YOUR Lotus User Group?
As far as I know, there are several LUGs around the world, each of them works probably in different way. My question is, how does work your one, are you happy about it or do you see any improvements to its work?
Is beer every then and now enough, are you doing regular workshops or do you think it is fine to have once a year some bigger conference? Is it fine when it happens just in one place or should it run around the country? Should it be something just for you (community, active users) or do you think it is important for the group to be active in outside world as well and improving the Lotus presentation to those not using these products?
So, what is your opinion?
Technorati: IBM Lotus Community LUG
How works YOUR Lotus User Group?
A lot of questions. Here's some answers from the BLUG in Belgium. You can look at our site www.blug.be for more info too:
We have 1 full day event per year, and try to have 2 evening meetings too.
We just started last year, and are having our second day event March 30th.
We have these meetings/events centrally in Brussels. We're thinking of having one in Luxembourg too.
We allow everyone to come to the event (also people not from Belgium or Luxembourg). Our speakers are locals as well as famous international guests. We allow only English spoken sessions (as we have/use multiple languages).
As we are a user group, we primarily address current Lotus users, but others are welcome. Just try to avoid being an IBM marketing tool.
Let me know if you have more questions.
How works YOUR Lotus User Group?
GRANITE (Chicago) is one of the oldest Lotus user group here in the United Status. We have meetings every even month with the except of August when we have the Midwest Lotus User Group Conference. The Midwest Lotus User Group Conference will be a 2.5 day event this year.
The bi-monthly meetings are held for the entire day. We get most of our presenters from IBM and Business Partners. We usually have two sessions during each meeting. All the meetings are held at the IBM Center in Chicago. We also just started a technical training sessions on XPages that are held every odd month. The presentations normally must be non-marketing unless the business partners sponsors the meeting for a fee.
We provide both breakfast and lunch to the attendees. However, we also charge an annual membership fee of $35.00 USD.
How works YOUR Lotus User Group?
Also some thoughts from Turtle Partnership Blog - { Link }
How works YOUR Lotus User Group?
Some thoughts from the perspective of an active user of the Spanish Lotus User Group (SLUG):
- We are just two years online.
- A lot of viewers and few contributors.
- Only one workshop per year.
- Chat conferences more regularly.
- Lotus presentations should be bilingual if you think you can bring something innovative or interesting to the global Lotus community.
Greetings, Albert.
Re: How works YOUR Lotus User Group?
I think that IBM doesn't plan the Lotus Knows campaign in Czech Republic - will see.
How works YOUR Lotus User Group?
I am a member of the Deutsche Notes User Group (DNUG). I think that building trust amongst community members is the most important aspect of building a strong community. Because at the end of the day, there are competitors amongst business partners, and amongst customer companies, too. Therefore, the personal relationship is important.
I think meeting once a year in person is not enough, especially not in the beginning of a user group.
Meeting at different places can make the meeting more interesting, and can also attract local community members that cannot travel. But it is also a question of infrastructure. It should be a town that can easily be reached by public transportation. So I guess both is ok, moving around or keeping a location that can easily be reached.
In the beginning, I think it's sufficient to stay on your own. But certainly after a while you should let the world know that you are there, your technology is strong and up to date. This helps grow your market. Also it helps to approach IBM. No regional Lotus Knows campaign in Czech Republic? If you are representing a strong community and build your network with IBM, you can make a change.