So, I started a User Group

Lightening Talk given at PyArkansas 2012. My experiences starting MEMpy (the Memphis Python User Group).

Transcript

1. Brad Montgomery So, I started a User Group
2. Why in the world would you ever consider starting a user group? • Hey, I like python! • I have lots of programmer friends • I know lots of pythonistas. • I have lots of resources for this sort of thing. • I didn't have anything else to do?
3. Why in the world would you ever consider starting a user group? • Hey, I like python! (YES) • I have lots of programmer friends • I know lots of pythonistas. • I have lots of resources for this sort of thing. • I didn't have anything else to do?
4. Good enough! Let's do it!
5. What do you need? • A place • Some food • Some friends • A projector • A presenter
6. Where to meet?
9. Good places to meet: • Your employer's offices • Your friend's employer's office • A startup/incubator/co-working space • A college campus that's not anal about parking (community colleges?)
10. Not-so-good places • Public libraries • Community centers • Universities (unless you know someone)
11. Did someone say pizza? • Tech recruiters will always* foot the bill *ymmv
12. "Like" this, please... • Your friends are on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. • Maybe meetup.com • Don't be afraid to steal your city's wiki entry: http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups
13. You can always bum a projector.
14. Recruiting Presenters...
15. Be ready to present at every meeting. Every single time.
16. Psst: You don't have to have presentations!
17. Support your local Python User Group • Give talks, share code • Volunteer to do something (just once) • Convince your employer to offer them space! • Just go & have a good time.
18. MEMpy • Started in November, 2011 • Meetings average 6-8; max 20 • Find us at http://mempy.org
19. Thanks!