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User Group User Group Collaboration on Collaboration on Common ProjectsCommon Projects
Gabe GoldbergGabe GoldbergAPCUG Region 2 AdvisorAPCUG Region 2 Advisor
CPCUG APCUG Representative CPCUG APCUG Representative [email protected]@[email protected]@apcug.net
User Group Collaboration on User Group Collaboration on Common Projects Common Projects
There's strength in numbers; that's one reason we've all joined userThere's strength in numbers; that's one reason we've all joined usergroups. Even so, some opportunities require more resources than angroups. Even so, some opportunities require more resources than anindividual group has available. Rather than letting theseindividual group has available. Rather than letting thesemega-opportunities escape, consider partnering or collaborating withmega-opportunities escape, consider partnering or collaborating withnearby user groups for various reasons: organize a large regional event,nearby user groups for various reasons: organize a large regional event,conduct a coordinated computer refurbishing/recycling effort, deliverconduct a coordinated computer refurbishing/recycling effort, deliverenhanced community support, lure a major vendor to visitor an enlargedenhanced community support, lure a major vendor to visitor an enlargedaudience, whatever works for you and your community's user groups. audience, whatever works for you and your community's user groups. Think large or small, tailor efforts to local needs, don't feel you mustThink large or small, tailor efforts to local needs, don't feel you mustimitate something others have done. Cooperating can be a one-time imitate something others have done. Cooperating can be a one-time event or can lead to an ongoing relationship among kindred groups. event or can lead to an ongoing relationship among kindred groups.
Why Collaborate?Why Collaborate?
► Strength in numbers, economies of scale, etc.Strength in numbers, economies of scale, etc.► Out-of-box thinking, escape same-old routineOut-of-box thinking, escape same-old routine► Shared ideas Shared ideas —— best practices, what works, best practices, what works,
problems solvedproblems solved► More volunteersMore volunteers► Increased community outreachIncreased community outreach► Enhanced credibility Enhanced credibility ► We’re all in the same boat!We’re all in the same boat!
Why Collaborate? Why Collaborate? (Continued)(Continued)
►Stronger fundraisingStronger fundraising►Cross-group awarenessCross-group awareness►Cross-technology awarenessCross-technology awareness►Potential ongoing collaborationPotential ongoing collaboration►Potential affiliation/mergerPotential affiliation/merger
How Collaborate?How Collaborate?
►APCUG user group locator finds APCUG user group locator finds neighborsneighbors
►Occasional informal gatherings/briefingsOccasional informal gatherings/briefings►Brainstorming to identify problems and Brainstorming to identify problems and
opportunitiesopportunities►PlanningPlanning►StaffingStaffing►Publicity Publicity
How Collaborate (Continued)How Collaborate (Continued)
►Operations (member databases, Operations (member databases, newsletters, etc.)newsletters, etc.)
►Purchases (e.g., share expensive Purchases (e.g., share expensive equipment such as equipment such as computer/projector)computer/projector)
►Vendor toursVendor tours►Shared trade show booths Shared trade show booths
When Collaborate?When Collaborate?
►Day-to-dayDay-to-day►Local user group eventsLocal user group events►Vendor-sponsored eventsVendor-sponsored events►Community service projectsCommunity service projects►Regional events Regional events
Objections to OvercomeObjections to Overcome
► InertiaInertia►Resistance to changeResistance to change►We’ve never done thatWe’ve never done that►We’ve never done <whatever> that We’ve never done <whatever> that
wayway►We tried that once and it didn’t workWe tried that once and it didn’t work►Never do anything for the first timeNever do anything for the first time►Everyone is Dr. NoEveryone is Dr. No
