FYI: This is at:
http://www.gnhlug.org/gtwiki/bin/view/Know/GuidelinesAndContigencies
Please feel free to continue the discussion there.
--Bruce
Paul Lussier wrote:
>
> 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!
