This is a topic that all LUG's and computer user groups face.
1) Change of venue Try to get meeting space at a college thus ensuring that there would be students in attendance & possibly internet access.
I wouldn't change the venue. It will just take time to get the word out that you are there. Put flyers out on the circulation desk in the library with the times you meet and if you are really good have the schedule of the discussions for the year or at least the next few meetings. Also go to compusa and put up flyers as well as the local high schools and collages. The main thing not to do is break for the summer, this will let people who want to attend to forget that you exist in the fall.
2) Topics for discussion Plan and arrange for speakers to speak on topics on various components of Linux. Not that we are not doing it now, but we need to drum this up a bit more as this will be the main attraction. OpenLDAP, PAM, Apache Webserver, Samba just to throw out a few.
The best thing that will bring people in is to have a definite topic of discussion each month. If you can't get people to do a presentation come up with one your self that Linux users will be interested in.
At the same time, have a Linux Newbie series where every week we focus on what they can do to make their computers run on Linux and have all the services they would require such as printing, internet access (cable/dsl/dial-up), photo-editing, word processing etc. The option to bring your computer in to configure will be there as long as we are pre-informed of what to expect. It is true that most members might already know the stuff discussed, but remember people still need the help to migrate to Linux and they are potentially future members of LUG.
I would do this at a separate time like one Sat a month and get as many people as you can to bring there computers in so you can help them and not have to stop while a presentation or talk is going on. This is a big thing on the west coast where LUGs have Linux help sessions at local book stores and libraries. This not only gets people using Linux but also get's your group out in the community and then hopefully to the meetings.
So in short, have atleast two different topics every LUG meeting, one focusing on the hardcore aspects of Linux and the other for a new/power user.
3) More organization Distribute responsibilities among members to take care of different aspects of preparing for the LUG meeting such as arranging for speakers, essential hardware etc.
Really you only need at least 2 people a president and secretary to take minutes and to organize the meeting topics. 4 people if you want to have a dedicated webmaster and a treasure if you are charging for dues.
5) Combine with another LUG We hope not to come to this option but if worse comes to worse this might be the best route to take. There are other LUGs in the surrounding areas and maybe joining them might work out best. But like I said, this is would be the last option on the list.
Your right this should be a last resort. You guys are just starting to get going. Just remember to try to keep a constant venue and date and time so people will always know when and where your meetings are.
So what do you think? Does this LUG have in it enough to weather the economic downturn and low attendance. I propose that by show of hands(emails) to the list we determine the actual strength of this LUG. That ways we get an approximate idea of the number of memebrs actually listening and willing to help in this initiative.
Signing out, Jeff
I hoped this helped. I have organized many a lug and user group. remember the more you get your name and presence out in the community the better chance you have of getting more people attending your meetings. Please get in touch with me I would be happy to help.
William Bilancio
