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================================
 Running a Successful Usergroup
================================

:Author: Jeff Rush <jeff@taupro.com>
:Copyright: 2008 Tau Productions Inc.
:License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
:Date: March 14, 2008
:Series: PyCon 2008 Chicago

Tips and resources for starting and running a successful Python usergroup.

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.. footer:: PyCon 2008 Chicago

Introduction
============

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      + who am I
         + organizer of DFW Pythoneers group
         + chair of PyCon 2006/2007
         + Advocacy Coordinator
      + Python not being a proprietary language
         + usergroups are avenue to bring new folks into Python
      + build careers at usergroups
      + incubator for one-laptop-per-child contributors
      + rise of regional conferences
      + support from the Python Software Foundation


What Kind of Person Starts a Usergroup?
=======================================

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      + initiative
      + persistence
      + consideration of others
      + **NOT** necessarily

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           + a polished speaker
           + a programming guru

Steps to Starting a Usergroup
=============================

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      + invent a name e.g. BayPiggies, SunPiggies
         + PIGs, PUGs, Pythoneers
      + create a wiki page e.g. \http://wiki.python.org/moin/BrisbanePUG
      + create a mailing list
         + postmaster\@python.org **not** \mailman\@python.org
      + add your group to the roster of all groups

        \http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups


Steps to Starting a Usergroup (cont'd)
======================================

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      + announce a few times its creation to
         + `python-announce,` `python-users,` `your blog,` `group-organizers`

           `\http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/group-organizers`

      + build concensus on the mailing list:
         + meeting location, duration and frequency
         + group focus and special interest
      + locate a place and start holding meetings

Deciding the Type of Usergroup
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      + pure lecture model
      + study group model
      + sprint/team project model
      + dinner/social gathering model
         + when small or lack meeting facilities
      + topic focus
         + Plone, Django, Scientific, general interest

Spreading the Word
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      + announce upcoming meetings on *python-announce*/*python-users*
         + **consistently** for several months
      + post meeting summaries to shared usergroup blog

        | \http://python-groups.blogspot.com/
        | (to get an account) advocate\@python.org

      + circulate flyers at stores, schools

        \http://wiki.python.org/moin/Advocacy/UsergroupSupport

      + create a chapter on \http://python.meetup.com
         + costs money but PSF may help fund it

Spreading the Word (cont'd)
===========================

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      + co-announce at other related usergroups
         + Unix, .NET, Apple, Programmers, Web
      + record pod/screen casts and put in a publicity blurb
      + produce club t-shirts
      + list your meetings on Google Calendar
      + start a **local-area** Google Adwords campaign
         + locality keeps cost down, pass a hat

Possible Resources for Usergroups
=================================

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      + a mailing list on python.org
      + a wiki on python.org
      + a subversion repository
      + a chatroom for spontaneous hanging out
      + free books and discounts at o'Reilly Publishing

        http://ug.oreilly.com

Finding a Meeting Place
=======================

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      + corporate offices
      + universities
      + storefronts with backrooms, like bookstores
      + churches
      + restaurants with free WiFi

What to Do at Meetings
======================

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      + module of the month
      + code walk-throughs
      + lightning talks
      + start a group project, like a sprint
      + invite a guest speaker

        \http://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonSpeakers

      + play video lectures

        \http://wiki.python.org/moin/Advocacy/VideoLectures

      + get ideas from the shared usergroup blog

        \http://python-groups.blogspot.com/

Key Elements for Success
========================

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      + **consistent** meetings and announcements
      + provide a way for others to find you at meetings
      + prepare for meetings; bring a book, learn a module
      + summary reports of meetings
         + post to your mailing list, for archiving
      + don't decide focus, location, project too early
      + mentoring/professional development

Risks of Failure
================

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      + inconsistent meeting times and location
      + giving up too soon
      + having one presenter again and again
      + lacking a strong leader
      + too many strong leaders
      + not balancing beginner and advanced
      + non-Python social gatherings

      ..

      + Discussion?  Birds-of-a-Feather Saturday evening!

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