Re: [Nolug] ideas to help nolug grow

Even if there are no officers, organization is key. If not, things will
not get better for the simple reason that there is nobody directly
accountable for accomplishing a set of goals and tasks. Roles evolve
naturally out of organization, and it just makes sense to provide a
formalized system for the group to decide who will serve in what role.
Although Robert's Rules refers to the system that is used to run
meetings, I think I still get what you are saying. I've been involved
with organizations with formal leadership roles that also use RR to run
their meetings, and I have seen it work very well; so it is not all that
bad. I am not suggesting that be done with NOLUG, but its still a
viable way to run an organization.

I understand this is a casual deal and I know *nix has the grand
tradition of non conformity, but I find it very hard to believe that
the vision most people have for this group will be realized with out
some level of group leadership and the mechanism to hold someone
accountable for seeing a certain thing through.

Maybe an idea would be to have the group come to some consensus about
some efforts they think will help grow the group. Once these are
identified, people can either volunteer or be selected (elected?) by the
group to head up that a particular aspect of what we are trying to do.
No need to have it formalized to the point where there is a president,
etc; but I am willing to bet that eventually the need will arise for
roles that look suspiciously like the what a president, treasurer, etc
might do. Just don't write the concepts off because you have
stereotyped ideas about such systems being inflexible or ineffective.
The beauty of most systems like that is that they can be as flexible and
adaptive as you need, and it is obviously up to the group how something
like this would be implemented.

The main point is that there needs to some kind of charter and some
basic leadership, IMHO, if the group is to grow into what most envision
it could be....

Quick question: Can someone provide a quick snapshot of BRLUG and Gulf
Port, ie how they run things, membership size, current intiatives and
the level of success vs how the group is organized? Maybe another idea
is to study other successful LUG's, see why they are successful, and
borrow ideas from them that suit our needs/style.

Brett

Joey Kelly (by way of Joey Kelly ) wrote:

><snip>
>
>
>
>>Does the group have a mission statement or some other charter-like
>>document, or is its direction dictated by which direction the linux
>>winds happen to be blowing? If not, I think it would help provide some
>>focus on exactly what the group is intended to accomplish regularly.
>>
>>
>
>BRLUG is more organized than we are, and if overkill is more your style, the
>guys in Gulfport/Mobile is definitely that.
>
>Do we have a charter? Not that I'm aware of. Scott and Hunter set up nolug to
>be a casual affair. While a little organization certainly couldn't hurt,
>frankly I'd rather not see officers, committees, elections, and all that.
>
>I've been thinking about this for a little bit before sending this post. I'm
>not fond of the "Roberts Rules of Order" crowd, and will fight that kind of
>organization at nolug tooth and nail. What I would like to see, and would be
>more in keeping with nolug's historically laid-back, casual atmosphere, is
>the formation of ad-hoc working groups, composed of those who are
>willing/interested/experienced (pick any of these) to get together to work on
>whatever projects we can come up with. This could help us get stuff
>accomplished, while keeping things informal. I'd rather see someone helping
>out on a project out of an interest in learning more about the technologies
>needed for a particular project than to have someone on a project because
>they were appointed to it by some committee.
>
>
>
>>How big is BRLUG? Also, how are they structured?
>>
>>
>
>Ask Dustin, he's from that group. Me, I just lurk on their list.
>
>
>
>>It has always been my
>>opinion that organizing NOLUG to have a president, vp, treasurer, etc
>>would allow for a much more viable organization. I've never heard any
>>discussion since I have been on the list about that, but my gut tells me
>>it would meet some resistance. I am not saying this is the solution to
>>the dilema, but it sure make it easier to deal with many of the issues
>>that are constantly raised.
>>
>>
>
>To my knowledge, this type of organizational structure hasn't ever been
>discussed before.
>
>
>
>>Although changing venue would suit the needs of some people who
>>currently attend or atleast keep active on the list, I do not think it
>>would serve to attract new members or help NOLUG grow. Also, Delgado is
>>just as far away from most in Metairie as UNO is. What about the Jeff
>>Center or the JP Regional Library?
>>
>>Brett
>>
>>
>
>Perhaps we could work something out. BRLUG has a newbies meeting every week,
>with the more epxerienced crowd getting together maybe only once per month.
>
>Technical discussion is important, demonstration of various technologies,
>new/neat programs, etc. all have their place. Bull sessions are also
>important. In the past, we've had the regular presentation, then an
>after-meeting out in the parking lot for another hour or so, talking shop and
>whatnot.
>
>
>--
>
>Joey Kelly
>< Minister of the Gospel | Computer Networking Consultant >
>http://joeykelly.net
>
>I'd rather crash a Ford than wreck a Chevy
>___________________
>Nolug mailing list
>nolug@nolug.org
>
>
>

___________________
Nolug mailing list
nolug@nolug.org
Received on 02/24/03