[wplug-plan] something to consider for the future

[Greg Simkins]

Now, I am confused.  What do we want from PTC?  I do get their magazine, but 
apart from attending a few meetings in their facility, I have not found them 
particularly helpful.

Why don't we just make sure that all of our events are posted on the 
Business Calendar (http://www.businesscalendar.org/)?  I think that would 
get us more mileage than anything that PTC would condescend to do for us.  I 
volunteer to help with that.

As far as friendship, I attend .Net User Group meetings from time to time. 
They are generally sponsored by Microsoft.  Microsoft provides free pizza 
and some guy to make a dense sales presentation on some Microsoft product. 
By the time the Microsoft visitor is done yacking, it is late and time to 
leave.  I walk away with my belly full and my head spinning. The Code Camp 
was a pretty decent event - I guess I picked up a little information, but 
have not yet actually applied it.  As far as culture is concerned, I prefer 
WPLUG.  We seem to tolerate each other's peculariarities pretty well and 
genuinely try to help one another.

Maybe if we feel a need for cash flow - rather than sponsorship, we should 
advise WPLUG meeting attendees of the costs of an event and a suggested 
donation to cover the cost.  That is not too demanding.  Other professional 
groups have no problem demanding $30 for a dinner meeting and threatening to 
bill anybody that makes a reservation and doesn't show up.

Greg

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Moran" <wmoran at potentialtech.com>
To: "Planning List for WPLUG" <wplug-plan at wplug.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: [wplug-plan] something to consider for the future


> In response to "Greg Simkins" <gregsim at telerama.com>:
>
>> Jared is the guy who runs the Pittsburgh .Net Users Group.  See:
>> http://www.pghdotnet.org/.  He is a pretty good fellow. I am not sure how
>> eager he will be to promote WPLUG, but I could call him if you like. 
>> Should
>> I admit that I am a member of the .Net users group?
>
> I've spoke with Jared in the past regarding WPLUG, and he was interested
> in partnering (or something).
>
> The problem is the cultural divide.  Other users groups just submit to
> the rule of PTC.  It seems as if other users groups (PittJUG and .NET)
> live and die for PTC sponsorship.  Jared seemed confused that we were
> already up and running and didn't _need_ the PTC.  I didn't get a feel
> that they weren't interested in WPLUG, just that he was confused
> and unsure how the relationship would work.
>
> I really think it just needs someone who has some free cycles to make
> friends, listen, and come to understand what mutual benefits can be
> had by working with the PTC, as well as getting the PTC to understand
> that there are benefits to them.
>
> I don't think they know how to proceed if we don't fit into the same
> mold as other UGs.  Someone needs to show them that a) the effort is
> worthwhile and b) there is a relationship that will work for both
> parties.
>
> -- 
> Bill Moran
> Collaborative Fusion Inc.
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