Newbies at the GUMs (Re: [wplug] LUG Ignorance)

[Zach Paine]

Getting newbies involved and excited about Linux is a huge part of the
function of a LUG.  When I first starting attending LUG meetings, there
were certain people that made me feel welcome and were available for me
to ask questions of.  Some of those people have left and many are still
here.  I am very concerned that WPLUG remain a group that is very
accepting of newbies.  I do feel that our newbie-friendliness level has
gone down a bit recently, so this begs the question what is it that
makes a newbie feel welcome?  There are a couple things I see.

First it requires effort from both the newbie and the existing member.
The newbie has to come to the meeting and often work up the courage to
ask someone who is basically a stranger a question, and worry about
coming off as dumb or uninformed.  On the other hand, an existing member
needs to put in the effort answer questions *respectfully*, and to be
receptive.

Strangely, it seems to me that our meetings have a different feel after
we left Wean.  We had a smaller room in Wean which was good and bad.
Bad because it limited the number of people that could attend and
sometimes the comfortablility of those in attendance.  Good because it
created a more intimate environment.  Everyone sat around one table and
basically talked excluding a presentation.  I think these meetings were
pretty successful.  I believe this more intimate setting served to bring
newbies into the fold and involve them more.  It is great that we have
such wonderful accomodations in NSH 1507, but meetings have at times
seemed somewhat disjointed.  I think we need to find a better way to use
the room for GUM's in particular that draws people together and provides
a good environment for discussion.  This could be something as simple as
moving the tables and chairs around and having introductions so that
eveyrone at least knows everyone elses name.

Also, presentations that are more on the newbie level are beneficial.
Thus tutorials were created.  Good then!

Hrm.. what else.. I guess I should just sum up and then ask you people
(the newbies and the existing members) what you think. 

Summary:  The newbie experience is very important to WPLUG.  WPLUG most
likely needs to improve this experience.  How can we do this?  It will
require members who are willing to put in the effort to be as receptive
and helpful as possible to newbies.  Some already do this, some do not.
I know I need to work on it.  Lastly, it maybe be beneficial to this
item to in some way change the way we are currently handling meetings.

Boo ya.

	-Zach