ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIMA NEWSLETTER APRIL 1989
 
 ADVANTAGES OF BELONGING TO A USER GROUP 
^^^^AND HOW TO KEEP THE GROUP ACTIVE  
By Harold Bingham 
1147 36th Street 
Ogden, Utah 84403 
 
The advantages of belonging to a user group is to obtain help and information
from other users on using programs and the use of your computer.  To gain
knowledge from one another about programing.  To discuss problems you are
having and obtain help to resolve those problems.  Another big advantage of
being a member of a user group is the use of the club's disk and cassette
library, and to exchange programs with other users.  The newsletter that your
club produces gives help too.  If your club has a newsletter, chances are it
exchanges newsletters from other user groups.  If you read all these
newsletters you will gain a broader understanding on the use of your computer
and how to use various programs. 
 
Now that I have listed some of the advantages of being a member of a user
group, I would like to suggest ways to keep that group active.  First of all I
would suggest that there should be a program chairman, and that he delegates
different members to demonstrate at least one program at each meeting.  Copies
of the program that is being demonstrated should be available on disk and
cassettes so that those attending the demonstration can go home and try it
themselves.  These can be sold for cost + a small profit for the club.  Try and
get every member involved into this project.  This will get the inactive
members to attend if they have been asked to demonstrate a program.  We can all
gain and need each other.  When asking help from each member, you make them
feel needed and an essential part of the group.   
 
If the number of people attending your meetings are few, and seem to be getting
fewer, assign a telephone committee to call and remind people of the meetings
and what the program will be.  This is particulary important for members who
seldom attend.  The club's library which includes the disk library as well as a
library of newsletters.  A catalog should be available of the club's disk
library.  Newsletters of other user groups should be made and be available to
those requesting it.  Library material should be readily accessed by all
members.  There is usually not enough time at the meetings to read all the
material, therefore an organized library check out system should be employed on
a time limit basis. 
 
Workshops should be included in your programs.  These work  sessions can
include a wide range of subjects.  One of the most important of them that
should be scheduled on a regular basis is programing.  It doesn't hurt to have
parties.  It doesn't hurt to get member's mates involved.  The last thing I
would like to remind those in charge of meetings is that you want to leave
every member who attends a meeting satisfied, as they go home, that they have
gained something for attending the meeting.  This will make each member to
look forward in attending the next meeting. 
*DONE* 
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