Last entry in this series (Starting a User Group, Entry #2) was almost a month ago … and a lot has happened since then.

So far the process of getting the group has been:

1. Pick a name for the group
2. Get the url and web site going
3. Get an email address setup for the group
4. Pick a date for the first meeting
5. Create options for the meeting schedule (optional)
6. Find a location to hold the meeting
7. Find a speaker
8. Make the announcement of the first meeting
9. Contact as many people as I can to get people to the first meeting
10. Contact more people

This week I’m working on #8 through #10.

Some notes about finding a location:

• First try the place you work, if you have facilities to such a meeting (and get some support from your manager at minimum)
• Check out the public library
• Check out other locations that other user groups meet (ie. Microsoft offices, other vendors, etc.)

Something that you may need to consider – meeting rooms usually are not free (at least not downtown big cities).  If you get lucky enough and find a place willing to let you hold your group meetings for free – make sure you recognize them as a sponsor because they deserve it.  Sometimes you might also have to take into account a cost for keeping the HVAC system on for office buildings (heat and AC make it more comfortable).  One idea in finding a location is to approach it as looking for a sponsor to hold the meeting.

For me, I lucked out and ended up getting a room reserved at work for the meeting … but I did check out 3 other options (all more expensive).

Next entry will be more on planning for the first meeting …