(poll) What kind of meeting do you want?

[William Park]

On Fri, Apr 22, 2005 at 12:13:42AM -0400, Paul Mora wrote:
> On 4/21/05, William Park <opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> > But, definitely, not worth $20 membership.  People truly don't give
> > shit about the laundry list of expenses.  "Your expense is your
> > business.  What do I get for $20?" is people's bottom line.
> 
> As it rightly should be.  People want to see some return on their
> investment, on their dollar.  Currently, the investment is time, the
> time we take to go to the meetings, listen to the speaker, and learn
> something new.  Maybe that will lead to them being a speaker, or
> contributing in some other way.
> 
> What expenses are there on the normal TLUG meetings?  The facilities
> are free, and the speakers are volunteers.  Where are the costs?

1.  Facility is the main thing.  It's free, only because we're
    trespassing on UofT property.
    
2.  Projector is another big issue.  It's free, only because we harasse
    Chris with threat of ex-communication.

3.  Then, there are minor issue of cost for booth at trade show, flyers,
    labels, CDs, plastic laminators, food for the volunteers, etc.

However, I personally think that TLUG expenses are internal matter, and
shouldn't be aired in public.  We come across as petty beggers (which we
are). :-)


> This whole thing should really be the topic of a TLUG meeting, or at
> least half.  Maybe a tech talk at the start, and then a more
> "administrative" or "directions" talk at the end.  Or even a forum
> where people can give suggestions or ideas for improvement or future
> events.

There are issues which concern only the paying members.  But, I take
your point.  You have to recognize that TLUG didn't have any structure
until a year ago.  Before that, we were just a get-together of Linux
guys.  

>
> The other problem, mostly rectified these days, is the bad reputation
> that TLUG has regarding people asking questions on the mailing list,
> and the way certain members treat the speakers.  I know that the worst

Interrupting the speaker is one thing that we're trying to clamp down.
But, it also depends on the nature of talk.  If the talk is about how
Microsoft is crappy, then trolls come alive.

However, if we hold more practical tutorials, closer to code or scripts,
then the smart-ass snipes will die down.  And, the discussion will be
about code or scripts (as it should be).

> 
> > We also need to get our acts together.  With that in mind, I would like
> > some feedback as to what we can do to bring new people in to TLUG.

> > 2.  What do you think of collecting $1 from all attendees of the
> >     meeting, instead of $20 annual membership?  They do that in
> >     churches (I've heard), so I shouldn't be accused of being a Hun
> >     anti-christ or something.
> 
> Before you start asking for money, come up with a plan for this money,
> and state it publicly, either to the list, or on the web site, or
> both.
> 
> What about a swap meet?  We can all get together, bring all the
> computer crap we have stored in our closets and basements, and trade
> with each other!  Just like the old TPUG swap meets of my youth; they
> were great!

We can't afford location and/or permit.  We're back to money. :-)

> 
> Also, what about a summer barbeque?  A social gathering, somewhere
> like Center Island?  Burgers, hot dogs, pop, and Linux?

-- 
William Park <opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org>, Toronto, Canada
Slackware Linux -- because it works.
--
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