Hi all,
I'd like to start a formal discussion of pertaining to some guidelines I think
we as chapter leaders should follow. After the brief discussion yesterday on
the main list, and after discussing it at length with others yesterday, I'd
like to propose the following:
1. Never cancel a meeting except for:
- Incredible inclement weather
- Loss of meeting place
In the case of inclement weather, I'm referring to extreme
New England weather where there's possibly a State Emergency
declared, or, in the judgment of the Chapter Chairperson, they
feel that it's just too dangerous for themselves and others to
be driving.
2. Should a speaker cancel, hold a meeting anyway.
Get the group who showed up together and go to the normally
designated meeting place and hold a meeting. This can be either
a formally planned "Backup" talk, or can be something as simple
a Q&A session. Another good idea, for those who have been to
USENIX conferences is the BoF (Birds of a Featherr) session
where 1 or 2 people lead the discussion on a specific topic
with "audience" participation. For example, I could start the
BoF off on the topic of Mail Clients. As I expound upon my
favorite client, people could jump in with questions or comments
about what I'm saying, others in the group could then jump in
and answer or comment on those questions/comments.
It is important for the meeting to take place in it's normally
held place, since that's where late-comers are going to come
looking for the meeting, not in the restaurant downstairs or across
the street, etc.
3. If the main Chapter Chairperson is unable to make it, either a
secondary should be designated, or, someone should take the
initiative to lead the meeting.
4. Food and Drink should probably not be brought into the meeting.
It's distracting to the speaker and to the attendees.
If it is brought into the meeting, it should be distributed
*before* the speaker begins. People getting up to get food/drink
during the meeting is also distracting to everyone, and IMO
rude to the speaker.
Alcohol should probably not be brought into the meeting.
A lot of our membership may be underage. Having alcohol
around during the meeting may:
- be illegal
- make them uncomfortable
- discourage some of them from attending
- discourage their parents from allowing
them to attend
If alcohol *is* brought into the meeting, accomodations for
non-drinkers should also be made out of courtesy for them.
Also, drinks should be acquired *before* the speaker begins
for the previously mentioned reasons.
That's basically it. I'm not trying to get too formal, I'm just looking out
for the best interests of the group as a whole. We want to be able to
continue:
- having good meetings
- attracting quality speakers
- attracting new members of all ages
- retaining old members of all ages
I think following the above guidelines, especially 1,2, and 3, will help us as
a group to achieve these goals.
This is just my opinion, and every Chapter Chairperson is obviously free to do
what they wish. I'm by no means trying to shackle the group with a lot of
beauracratic rules.
Any input on this? Opinions, discussion, disagreement, resentment? Anything?
Thanks :)
--
Seeya,
Paul
----
It may look like I'm just sitting here doing nothing,
but I'm really actively waiting for all my problems to go away.
If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!
