And let's be clear: This should be member-only content.

We need more reasons why you HAVE to be a member.

D



On May 14, 2014, at 1:09 PM, Matt Simmons <[email protected]> wrote:

> >  If LOPSA is trying to do anything, it is trying to create community so 
> > that good things happen all over the country.  This would destroy that.
> 
> I'm not going to wade into this right now, but for the record, one of the 
> most common comments I hear about LOPSA membership is, "I'd be interested in 
> joining, but there's no chapter near me". Clearly, my response is an emphatic 
> "LET ME HELP YOU START ONE!", but for a variety of reasons, it can't always 
> happen. 
> 
> The nationally livestreamed periodic event that you go on to mention would be 
> a big boon to those people in parts of the country and world where there 
> aren't yet chapters. 
> 
> We're working on a way to build and present this idea in a way that makes 
> sense. The label branding might not have been spot-on in the original email, 
> but the spirit of the idea is solid. 
> 
> --Matt 
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 11:23 AM, Tom Limoncelli <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, May 12, 2014 at 10:31 AM, Chris Palmer <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> so you may end up with a situation where project Y doesn't happen because
> nobody wants to do it, and project X doesn't happen because when someone comes
> along and really wants to do it, folks say "but project Y is far more
> important...:
> 
> You just described the concept of business discipline.
> 
> There's a trade-off between being inventive/creative vs. distracted beyond 
> hope.  There is a middle ground.
> 
> I have not yet said if I am for or against a virtual chapter.  I simply 
> asked, "What problem does this solve?  How does that fit within our mission?" 
>  Nobody has answered either question. (and it is amazing what chaos asking 
> such basic questions caused).
> 
> Now I'm going to take off my "tom who tries to stay neutral" hat and put on 
> my "tom who is involved in a local chapter hat".
> 
> This project does not fit within the priorities identified by the board.  In 
> fact, it goes against them.  One of the top priorities is to build local 
> chapters.  A virtual chapter would sap potential members from local chapters. 
> There would be no reason to attend a meeting if LOPSA national was creating 
> content that was free and attracted big name speakers.  The local chapters 
> are important because they build community and provides networking 
> opportunities that only work in-person.  If LOPSA is trying to do anything, 
> it is trying to create community so that good things happen all over the 
> country.  This would destroy that.
> 
> I think there is a place for some kind of nationally livestreamed periodic 
> event.  Can it be done without putting the local chapters at risk?
> 
> The two biggest problems I see local chapters having is (a) finding content 
> and (b) finding new members.  How are you helping fix those two problems?
> 
> One way would be, rather than having it be a "virtual chapter", simply have 
> it be a monthly speakers series that is done via Google Hangouts Live.  This 
> would raise awareness of LOPSA in general, which would increase the number of 
> people that local chapters could recruit from (helping problem B).  At the 
> start of each on-line event there should be a brief and subtle mention that 
> local chapters exist, and show a URL that helps people find their local 
> chapter, or start a chapter themselves.  Local chapters could have "viewing 
> parties" where people get together in-person to watch the talk (live or 
> recorded) and then discuss it in person.  Local facilitators could use the 
> viewing party as an ice-breaker to encourage networking. (helping problem A)  
> Perhaps they would schedule a local speaker to go first before the viewing, 
> or the viewing event would be separate.
> 
> The other benefit to doing it this way is that is is more likely to get off 
> the ground than virtual chapters.  Sometimes projects at LOPSA never launch 
> because we get mired in forming the infrastructure.  It will take a long time 
> to set up a chapter, go through all the motions, figure out how to define and 
> manage membership, etc.  Don't risk losing momentum during all that.  
> Starting a speaker series is light weight; you need 1-2 people to start 
> recruiting speakers and 1-2 people to do PR. There's no membership structure 
> to set up, and people can join LOPSA using the normal channels that exist 
> already.
> 
> That might not be what you were looking to do initially, but I think it would 
> have a higher chance of success and be more in alignment with the 
> organization's goals.
> 
> Tom
> 
> -- 
> Email: [email protected]    Work: [email protected]
> Skype: YesThatTom
> Blog:  http://EverythingSysadmin.com
> 
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