usergroup names
usergroup names
- Subject: usergroup names
- From: maryk <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 03:41:41 -0500
So, what i'm asking is, do you think the word "Club" would be an
appropriate name? Is there a better word?
Because of the wide variety of users and interests that appear to be
present in your mug, I suggest a completely different name:
Association for Computer Enjoyment (ACE)
or
Oklahoma (City) Association for Computer Enjoyment (OK ACE) if you
prefer a state or locale description.
This type of name would depict the goal of the assn as opposed to
excluding people who fear they are not qualified or are fearful they
will not fit in. The stated goal in the name is globally inclusive and
gives the assn a broad range of activities that can attract a lot of
people who might not feel comfortable with a more specific computer
acronym (mug, sig). It would also remove the platform restrictions that
many people might perceive with a more specific computer name
An alternative name for the more specific interests (sigs) could be
"group" (photo group, movie group, music group, etc.). Each group could
elect a facilitator, vote on meeting topics, ask each member to share
their favorite software or special skills. If a member felt too shy to
volunteer something specific, they could instead share what they like
about computing, what they want to learn, etc. By having one or two
people sharing each meeting, there would be many topics of interest
and lots of member participation involved. As topics became identified
as being of a more common interest or members "self-sorted" into more
specific interests, sub groups could be formed.
This could help the assn to be more evolutionary and open to the
continually changing nature of computers, technology, member's changing
needs or interests, etc. More importantly, it creates an atmosphere
where no member in excluded and each member has something of value to
share with the rest of the group/assn. It could permit the leaders to
maintain an overview instead of having to provide all the manpower and
do all the work. The leaders could be a steering function versus a
detail function.
In order to introduce the new and broader group, you could have a
special event like an open house type affair or a covered dish buffet
to encourage more mixing and conversation. A brief form that attendees
could be asked to fill out would have a space for name, address (opt),
phone (opt), email (opt) and questions . Be sure to have business cards
they can take with them for future group contact as desired.
Suggested questions:
1. what would you personally like to do with your computer
2. what would you like to learn about your computer or software
3. how would you describe your computer knowledge
4. what kind activities would you be likely to attend
This type of broad question would allow each person to answer in
his/her own unique style and give you a lot more information about each
person and their level of interest or need then more restricted
questions would. You should be able to get enough info to find the best
way to help the members create their own best experience.
If you as a leader try to decide what your members want to do or how
they want to do it, you are going to be stuck with the job and trying
to keep them happy. If, instead, you let them know you are providing
the circumstances in which they can achieve their desires, you get them
to help you with the workload.
Since this would be a rather novel approach to recruiting, you should
be able to get some free space on radio, tv and/or newspaper detailing
the old assn, the reason for the change--"Many people may want to join
but feel they would not fit and are afraid to attend a meeting. This is
to show they will fit and to welcome them to the group."
Print up some flyers and distribute them. Get everybody to put one in
the doors of each neighbor for a block or two in addition to the usual
public places, don't forget to ask the local libraries if they have a
section where you can leave flyers about this event and regular
meetings, post on grocery store and all local school public bulletin
boards. Check with the computer teachers at the local colleges and
universities about ways to get the info to students, have your kids
give them out to their friends, etc. Ask the computer related stores if
they will let you leave a stack of flyers to be placed in their
shopping bags.
This widespread outreach should get the info to a wider audience than
what you are currently reaching. You may need to have this type of
affair once or twice a year for a few years in order to achieve your
ultimate goal of getting enough members who become passionate advocates
and ambassadors for your group and as such continually introduce new
members to the assn.
I had owned an Apple 2e for many years before I bought my first Mac.
For some reason, the Mac scared my husband more than the A2e did and
each time he heard any type of alert sound, he became frightened I was
breaking the computer. In frustration, I searched for some group or way
to get him more comfortable with the normal sounds the computer made
and found my local mug. Previous experiences with A2e mugs had not been
good ones, there were too many gurus and not enough lower level
activities or members. But i was desperate and tried again.
The Mac MUG was much different. It was a more varied population and
lots of willing mentors were available in many levels of skill.
Suddenly, there was a whole new world available to me and I was totally
in love with these people. I couldn't get enough. A delightful vicious
cycle developed, the more I understood, the more I wanted to do and the
more I needed to learn. The mug provided the resources and kept my
eyes open to new options. They provided many options for learning
depending on what suited me and my needs best and I choose how much or
how fast I wanted to go.
It has been a 10 year relationship that is still ongoing. As my
circumstances changed, I had to modify my uses of the resources but I
always know they are there for me. As I learned enough to be helpful,
I, in turn shared with others what I could offer.
Washington Apple Pi the best mug in the world and my favorite pi 8? )
maryk
-------------------------
There are people who have money and people who are rich.
--Coco Chanel
There are people who have money and people who are rich.
--Coco Chanel
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