[NTLUG:Discuss] Study Group...

[Chris Cox]

Steve Baker wrote:
> 
...
> I have been wondering whether things like the Linux Demo Days fiasco
> would have been easier to handle at a more local level.  A local group
> with only a dozen or so active members could have met in someone's home
> for an improptu get together to organize a very local event.  You just
> can't do that with 1700 members - so all the work falls on the shoulders
> of a single group of club officers who rapidly get snowed under.
> 

Linux Demo Days was not a fiasco.

Unfortunately, NTLUG got started on it about 3 months behind other
groups.  Perhaps some member knew about it and felt is wasn't
worth communicating....or perhaps it was the "mom & pop" way
the event was planned.  Linux Demo Day wasn't as organized
as well as it could have been....and I'm not talking about
NTLUG...I'm talking about the whole thing.

So...the EASIEST thing to do is to say that NTLUG is too big to
be effective??  I don't think so.  Obviously, people are free to
meet whenever and whereever, but NTLUG has never been about
preventing members from taking active roles....on the contrary,
NTLUG lives and dies by the active participation of its members.

Occasionally, people become busy doing things like.....work, family,
etc.  When this happens, things don't always work out.  And
personally, I'm glad.  Everyone needs a break....and volunteering
can wear you out.  Linux does breed its share of zealots who
do eat and breathe it 24hrs a day.  And there's certainly nothing
necessarily wrong with that....but not everyone is going
to be a zealot....and it shouldn't be expected.

What about the "normal" members??  Actually, this is what
NTLUG is all about.  It's about people using Linux.  Some come
to learn.  Some come to share what they know via presentations.
Some help with sales.  Some help with organizing the meetings.
These become the main-stay of the organization....usually
zealots move on to the next "fashion" trend.  These "normal"
members are the ones who have kept NTLUG from being exclusionary.
These are the ones who invite their friends.  These are often the ones
who give the most back to the community....and yet, they still
have lives outside of NTLUG.

Personally, I enjoy all of the discussions that happen after
the main presentation.  Obviously, you can't be a part of
all of them....but these islands of sharing that go on show
that Linux people believe in helping and educating others.
Some have suggested SIGs....some have suggested "mini" groups...
...hey, people are free to do whatever they want....I just
haven't seen a desparate need for this yet.

I like the idea of committees better....of course, it does mean
time outside of the normal meetings....and only a few will
probably take the initiative to lead these up.

My advice is for you to choose a function that best suits
your interests.  It may well be leading up a new Linux
group.... however, you might find satisfaction in leading a PR Committee,
or a Membership Committee, or even a Presentation Committee.
Could be a short term role, like leading up a 24hr Game Project.

I think if we create the Frisco, Grapevine, Cedar Hill, Plano, Richardson,
Garland, Allen, McKinney, DeSoto, etc. groups, well....probably
NTLUG will just be a meeting of the officers :-).  I kind of liked
having everyone together from all over N. Texas myself.

My two cents,
Chris