[wplug-plan] Improving WPLUG

[Landefeld, Alex]

Ooops, sorry, not in LA anymore.  I'm in San Francisco.   :)

More Palm trees, Rolls Royces and electricity down there.
More water, sandy beaches and cable cars up here.
Too damn much commuting time both places!   :)

Actually, Jenn and I are living on the peninsula in San Mateo:  she's
working to the south, in Redwood City, and I'm working to the north, in the
Financial District of downtown San Fran.  I moved up here in September, as
the firm needed me in the expanding SF office (oh, and Jenn was moving to SF
instead of LA).  :)

Far from a linux expert????  But, yinz guyz were ever so close....   ;)

WPLUG is a group of change experts who thrive on change:  Change in life,
change in economy, change in computing.  In my estimation, Jonathan is
correct in that the new strict security measures in Wean Hall make CMU less
attractive as a meeting location.  It was an ideal location, but Linux folk
have dealt with much that is less ideal, and it's time the group moved on.

Zach's queries on the need for structure are appropriate...and resonate in
Michael's words:  "A few interested, dedicated people can make a big
difference".  We only need structure if the folk that we help place into the
structure are interested in filling those posts.  No need for structure if
its a hollow superstructure.

Please remember that Linux is not an end, merely a method for helping us to
more fully enjoy and be productive in our journey.  We get together in GUM's
and install fest's to share that enjoyment, and introduce others to a more
productive (and learning-oriented) journey.  

Pizza, soda and the Matrix are certainly fun additions to the gatherings,
but the meat of the gatherings needs to be our collective enthusiasm.  We
all know that WPLUG is a pretty cool group of people...but do those new to
Linux know that?   They may not even care...specifically since we have yet
to infect them with the ideals of Linux.  I guess the pizza and soda tide
them over until they're converts.  ;)

Kinda like the ideal church, wplug needs people who give of themselves
without thoughts of getting back.  Obviously reimbursing for soda, pizza and
the periodic Starbucks coffee service just makes sense, but think about
giving to the group either your time, your expertise, your enthusiasm, or
some combination of the three.  Your reward will come to you in both a
feeling of satisfaction and that periodic "Aha!" you get from people
learning new things.

Oh! That's a long step down from that soapbox.   :)   ttyl

..Alex.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Procario [mailto:procario at ix.netcom.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2001 10:29 PM
To: wplug-plan at wplug.org
Subject: Re: [wplug-plan] Improving WPLUG


Have Alex move back from LA. Alex was far from a linux expert but he was
very interested and worked hard. He also had Jen's connections at CMU to
help. Alex was one of the founders but I do not think even had a office.

A few interested, dedicated people can make a big difference.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Zach Paine" <zman at angstrom.net>
To: <wplug-plan at wplug.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2001 12:37 PM
Subject: [wplug-plan] Improving WPLUG


> It seems to me that wplug has been gradually losing organization and
faltering
> in it's goals as a LUG.  I think that the time has come to institute
change in
> wplug for the better.  I want to open up discussion on how wplug can be 
> improved.
>
> This is what I see lacking:
> 1. Install-fests need work.  We need to perhaps provide more literature
and
> make them fun for people who are not installing so they help as well.
> 2. GUM's need work as well.  We should have more presentations.  I'm not
as
> concerned about these though
> 3. The organization needs more structure.  I'm not sure exactly what this
> means, but I would like a firm way to make decisions.  ie. something is
> proposed and then plan members vote on it via a web interface or sending
mail
> to a single-purpose account on wplug.org.  My first reaction to the need
for
> organization is to impose elected officials, but I'm not sure if that is
the
> answer.  We could have a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary, but I don't know
if
> giving titles will make things happen.  I think the organization problem
stems
> from a lack of enthusiasm towards the group.  We need to make wplug fun
again.
> I remember my first few installfests, I was always VERY excited to go
because
> we watched movies, and I met new people.  This has subsided though, and I
> don't think that I am alone in this feeling.
>
> How can we improve wplug?  Is structure the answer, or creating a better
> environment in which to guide the group?
>
> I hope that we as the plan group can work together to create the system
which
> works best for wplug whether it be Robert's Rules or anarchy.
>
> Zach
>
> --

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