[python-advocacy] User Group Support

[Chris McAvoy]

Holy cow...this list is almost identical to what we talked about in
the advocacy BoF...great link!:

"""
1) Put together a "How To Start A Local User Group or Club" document.
Include tips on things like finding a space, topic ideas, and getting
speakers. (If anyone has one of these, please let us know!)

2) Offer free materials for the user groups
User group meetings often start or end with prize drawings; give the
user group leaders plenty of swag for the meetings. It'll make the
leaders look good, etc.

3) Treat your user group leaders like royalty
Sun puts JUG (Java User Group) leaders on a pedastal--helping them
promote their groups, giving them special receptions at the annual
JavaOne conference, etc.

4) Instead of a traditional user group, provide guidelines for a Study Group
(Or a related book club.) Collect advice and lessons from other
existing groups. Provide a list of suggested books to read, and
6-months' worth of topic plans. For example, "Month One: read [insert
book related to your domain], and have each attendee discuss the
following key points..."

5) Hold a very low-cost annual weekend conference.
Make it ridiculously easy for people to get there. Find sponsors to
help. Even better if you hold several mini-conferences a year, in
different locations.

6) Encourage users to start a local BarCamp (or other *Camp).
Direct your users to the BarCamp Wiki where they can learn how to do it.

7) Use Meetup.com as a resource!

8) If you already have online user forums, enlist moderators to try to
form an offline meetup.
This is often one of the best places to start.

9) Hold special cocktail receptions/parties for user group leaders at
industry conferences in your domain.

10) Advertise/promote your user group events on your main page!
Remember, passionate users MUST connect with others who share that
passion, so this is not a nice-to-have... it's an essential part of
any product, service, or cause for which people are passionate.
"""