What I learned in Corvallis: Have a meeting scheduled for the same time slot EVERY month. Then be there, even if you don't know if anyone will show up.
If no one else shows, you still have a committed time to study and learn with no distractions. Don't you want that anyway? If one or two people show, you work together. If 4-5 or more show then you start having presentations, formal or not. I think I got the most out of those informal sessions. In Corvallis meetings varied anywhere from 1 (me!) to 15-20. Formal format with topic and speaker does not guarantee attendance! I am sure the OSU calendar impacts it but the big mistake I made the first year was taking a summer break and then not restarting in the fall. Just ignore the calendar and keep going. Trying to get a speaker every month is sure to burn you out. Now that I am moving I assume the Corvallis group will just cease to exist. I also plan on starting a similar group in Santa Rosa as soon as I find a location for meetings. The first 2 or 3 meetings were stressful to me. (I'm a geek!) After that it's just fun. Brian (still in Corvallis)
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