Re: Qualifying to be a recognized group
Re: Qualifying to be a recognized group
- Subject: Re: Qualifying to be a recognized group
- From: Emilie Unkrich <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 10:12:40 -0400
Thanks, Sandy, for your clarification.
I found it most helpful for my understanding.
I appreciate your taking the time to write and send this.
I will save for future reference.
:-)
Em
On Oct 15, 2005, at 3:19 PM, email@hidden wrote:
Hi Em,
Thanks for the question. It is one that comes up a lot. Although it
wouldn't be fair to comment on individual group applications unless
the group requests clarification, the general priciples are the
same. It is not the content of a site but the function of an
organization and number of contacts/members that is generally the
determinant, although (as you might expect) we do look at content
and steer away from rumor sites.
The fact is that anyone can start or run a user group and each
group is a private, self-directed organization that does not have
to answer to any outside accrediting body. Rightly, no person needs
an okay to start or run a group, and groups prize their autonomy
(groups regularly say what they think, regardless of Apple's
opinions <G> ).
Still, there are guidelines for groups that want to be listed in
Apple's Locator, since they are being advertised by Apple, not the
private group. For example, there is a distinction made between
regional or privately-run organizations (Like Greg's organization,
the MUG Center, etc.) and user groups. In the same way, there is
strict policy against recognizing the same group twice if they
apply in two different formats, or approving both a group and a SIG
for that same group. Finally, groups that list only a single
person, or a person with their spouse and child are groups that
raise a flag in the approval process, since a group where there are
few members or all contacts share a surname and addresses or phone
numbers is a group that may disappear when a family loses interest.
A potential user group member (often a new Mac user) may find a
group near their home via the locator, try the web site and email,
and, finding both bounce, never try another. Thus, we may lose that
new user permanantly. Our primary concern is the potential new
member, looking for a possibly life-long relationship with a group
and that is the guiding principle in the recognition process.
So, the groups listed in the Locator are those that fit some pretty
careful criteria because the main function of the Locator is to
help a newbie or potential member find a user group that suits his
or her interests or exists in a specific location. As you can see,
it does not (and should not) list all groups; a group can operate
without listing and a large number do so.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can be of use.
Sandy Foderick
Locator maintenance
--
Emilie Unkrich
Vice President NEOAC
Editor, Apple Bits
http://neoac.org/
October 2005 Issue of Apple Bits here:
http://neoac.org/bits/05oct.pdf
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