RE: An IBM user group's final message: pwrdwnsys *immed

I'm a member of a professional association unrelated to the i platform (ISSA for InfoSec people). It isn't a user group but we are all in similar positions facing similar challenges. We're not product-focused as much as focused on information security in general. In that way we are very similar to the folks here on the list(s).

Membership is close to 250 people, but usually only 25-40 show for any given monthly meeting.

For our monthly chapter meetings, which are held at the end of the business day (3-5PM) members typically volunteer meeting space at their companies. A large conference room or training room generally suffices. When there is no volunteered space, we get a private room at a restaurant.

Eliminating room fees frees the chapter to use the membership dues to attract/compensate speakers. There is also corporate sponsorship, which ups the treasury even more. Often, a sponsoring vendor will have someone there and will ante up for drinks and appetizers after the meeting.

There are additional benefits to membership that help draw people in. A big one for me is that meeting earn continuing education credits good towards maintaining/renewing my CISSP certification. Members also have negotiated discounts with some training centers & conferences. And as much as webinars are convenient, really, nothing beats face to face interaction & socialization with your peers.

We actually focus on the in-person stuff and don't emphasize online interaction at all.

Things like these can help a UG survive.

--
John A. Jones, CISSP
Sr. Analyst, Global Information Security
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
Voice: +1.630-455.2787
FAX: +1.312.601.1782
Email: john.jones@xxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve Richter
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 10:40 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: An IBM user group's final message: pwrdwnsys *immed

a problem I see with user's groups is there are very few speakers
available. Partly because funds are scarce to pay for a presentation.

Maybe if IBM provided meeting space at their local facility, then the
attendance fees could be used, not to pay the hotel, but the speaker.

-Steve


This email is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If you have
received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and then
delete it. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, use,
disclose, copy or distribute this email without the author's prior
permission. We have taken precautions to minimize the risk of transmitting
software viruses, but we advise you to carry out your own virus checks on
any attachment to this message. We cannot accept liability for any loss
or damage caused by software viruses. The information contained in this
communication may be confidential and may be subject to the attorney-client
privilege. If you are the intended recipient and you do not wish to receive
similar electronic messages from us in the future then please respond to the
sender to this effect.