> Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:00:50 -0400 > From: John C Nash <nashjc [ at ] uottawa [ dot ] ca> > Subject: [OCLUG-Tech] AGM discussion -- location of meetings > To: linux [ at ] lists [ dot ] oclug [ dot ] on [ dot ] ca > Message-ID: <4F6B2282 [ dot ] 8060001 [ at ] uottawa [ dot ] ca> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > The two topics that seem to have generated most response relating to the > future of OCLUG are > - specialist vs generalist meeting topics > - location of meetings > OK my 2 cents worth IMHO the point that gets missed all to often is that in order to be an expert you have to start as a beginner. There have been attempts in the past to serve both sides of this issue, not successfully or we would not be discussing it again. Some folks have started to come to meetings only to find the content way above their knowledge level and so not returned (I know they should have stayed to push the other brains to share and help). For what its worth I have sat through quite few meetings completely out of my depth simply in the search for knowledge and slowly I have gained sufficient to make it all worthwhile. Latching on to other members and receiving generous donations of their time and help has been the icing on the cake so I thank all of them for that. We have had some really successful meeting and maybe we should cast our minds back to them and see why they worked. As some folks understand very well teachers learn more than they give so I ask that this be considered in the mix going forward as they say these days. Perhaps some mentoring for beginners would swell the ranks it certainly kept me coming back. > The former is a perennial split, and there is likely no universal > resolution, though it is > possible -- and definitely part of current Board's intention, but not > always within our > abilities -- to provide some of each. > > The latter requires availability. In an earlier post I mentioned previous > sites (and > forgot OPL, where we had poor parking, tossed out before 9, but central). > A central site > with good bus, good parking, and close to good roads (417) would be ideal. > Is there > somewhere that won't cost us more than our donations cover? > As for location, this is a group based in Ottawa so a more central location is desirable and if that can be achieved it should be supported by the membership. Coming from the west edge of the city I totally see the point of folks having trouble justifying a trip to the other side of town and all that that entails. Hoping I have made a contribution worthwhile to this discussion and praying I have offended no one. Eric B > The location is a compromise. Moreover, it is a very demanding task to > organize. > The amount work involved in arranging place and speakers is one of the > negatives of > serving, and made less attractive when attendance is low. > > JN > > >