July 23rd, 2009 Posted in Default | 1 Comment »
So, it’s been a while since I have updated anything, been busy, you all know, life, school, martial arts, that sort of thing.
First up, I want to know, How is Jesse doing with that kid!?!?!
OK that aside, I am writing about the state of ErieLUG.
Seeing as I have been absent from most of the past few meetings (scheduling conflict with school) I am only assuming here, but I think I am correct in assuming that not many people have been showing up to meetings. Which is fine, I mean, I haven’t really been showing up either, so who am I to cast stones? nor have I been on the ball with making sure that meetings had proper content, and with communication, etc.
I know I keep saying that I would keep the LUG laid back, and not put a lot of work into it. but I am realizing that honestly, my goal (by now) was to have the LUG be a self sufficient entity, so that, as time went on I could step away from the administration side of things and have a dedicated team of board members run things and… well, just enjoy the LUG. And well, at the moment it seems like, if I am not going to do it (run the LUG) then there just wont be one.
So basically, I sat down with Beth Lynn (from WPLUG) and we discussed what was holding the LUG back, what was keeping us from growing and fulfilling the goal I had set and we came away from our meeting with a few things, which I will go over here.
1. Me, I am holding the LUG back… why … Simply, after (almost) 5 years, I am starting to get burnt out a bit. (Yes JustBill … I know, you said it would happen eventually =p) The point is, monthly meetings are insanely time consuming to setup and administer, especially with just one person involved.
2. Attendance. I have said it before, we should seriously try and absorb the local colleges LUG’s.
3. Participation. This is closely linked with #2.. and I can count on one hand the people who constantly, actively, volunteer to participate in the LUG. Again, I assume, that as #2 grows, so will this.
4. I am sure there are other considerations holding us back… and again, I am probably just too shortsighted to see that far.
So, what can we do to fix this?
Well, first I need to ask you ErieLUG people something… Do you want to fix it? Do you, the people, want a self sustaining LUG? Are you all happy with the way things are going now, or should we step it up a notch? Should I even try?
Assuming you all say yes, “lets kick this up into high gear”, then here is the plan of action that Beth and I have come up with so far.
#1 – I will be dropping back to quarterly meetings. Like I said, I am busy, and have a life too, and its just more a pain than anything else to administer monthly meetings. If anyone has issues with this, then please, by all means, step up and take charge.
#2 – I will, over time, try to get in touch with the areas colleges and see about either absorbing their lugs, or at least trying to get some representation of some sort…. Again, if anyone can do better, then please … I’m not trying to sound like a jerk, but I just want whats best here, and if you (whoever is reading this) can do a better job at it, then please help out.
#3 – As attendance grows we will look into going back to monthly meetings. As such, we will need more volunteers to give talks, or help with coordinating LUG events elsewhere (WPLUG, and Ohio’s LUG, etc). And as always, I am sure there are other areas to help out in, and as always I’m too shortsighted to think that far ahead just now.
#4 – As we try and get attendance up, we (currently have a draft) will be writing up bylaws of our own and trying to establish a governing body for ErieLUG. Once in place it is my hope that ErieLUG can continue to run smoothly, with (or without) any one single person (which has, from my understanding, been its downfall in the past).
So that’s it, I am sure there are other things to cover, but I cant think of anything off the top of my head right now… I am sure it will come up eventually.
I guess, if anyone is interested, we can meet this August (same place, same date, same time) to discuss the state of ErieLUG (basically recap this email and things that I am sure to have missed).
As always, questions, comments, concerns, gripes or complaints, email or call me.
Mike
