Posted by fending on November 4, 2010 at 3:13pm
Hi, all. I really can't put any time toward organizing (or attending) the WNYDUG meeting this month, so I need somebody to step up and organize the November meeting.
This month should be in Rochester (by the Rotating Cities principle). I'm sure @coworkingroc would be happy to host on 16 Nov @ 7pm, they just need to be asked politely on twitter.
Please volunteer in the comments!
Comments
Would be willing to help do this
I would be willing to help do this. If anyone else wants to jump in and help me that would be great too.
-- Darla
Still interested?
I haven't heard anything further after posting the task list -- what further do you need, if anything?
The A/V List
Remember the A/V Cart in school? No? I'm dating myself here... I posted something in this comment about what generally needs to be there to make remote attendance possible:
http://groups.drupal.org/node/99464#comment-317764
If that's not possible, so be it -- really, it's about a group of people getting together to talk Drupal, and that's at least 90% of the attendance on average.
Specific to what minimally needs to happen, here's the calendar:
2 weeks prior:
- book location
- Event posting at g.d.o (see prior posts for template...)
- promote via twitter/facebook/linkedin (see below...)
1 week prior:
- re-solicit presenters (two slots, though one will do)
- re-market / post to SM outlets
- confirm with location (in the case of @coworkingroc, it as simple as plugging them in a twitter post)
two days prior:
- re-market (twitter/FB/LI)
one day prior:
- re-market (twitter/FB/LI)
day of:
- re-market (twitter/FB/LI)
- send gotomeeting password to all signed up attendees
- @ @coworkingroc: getting in, setting up A/V, sign on the door, and handling the last-minute BS
days following:
- post with redux/notes and invite to input on scheduling for next time
In between, there's outreach to groups in Buffalo & Rochester to see if they will help promote. Cross-post to mailing lists you're on. Distribute to groups you're in. Peer pressure. That kind of thing.
So whoever's interested please let me know if you want the twitter, FB and LI passwords/permissions. I'm happy to share with torchbearers.
Will do this for you
I don't have the AV setup that you have although I can hook speakers up to laptop without a problem. I have a mic on my laptop and then one that is on a headset I own (but that is the extent for mics) -- so am not quite sure how you want this handled for the remote. As far as contacting the location and the other coordination aspects, I am fine with this as well. I will call location first thing Monday and begin the meeting promotion.
-- Darla
sounds good
Thanks, Darla.
The on-board mic and speakers on a laptop are generally not sufficient to support involving remote attendees in a meeting. I think you were victim to that setup before as a remote attendee. :) As I noted, this isn't a requirement to getting people together, just a "nice to have" that allows others to attend. In practice, only 10-20% of attendees are remote; some meetings have none. So if nobody can pony up the audio components, I recommend skipping the gotomeeting. It's just not worth it otherwise. (Though I now remember how insanely awesome your laptop's speakers are, so if somebody could hook you up with a mic, that might just work... ;)
[One thing to note about Coworking Rochester is that David Moffitt allows groups to use it, but really, really, really likes to have a little "tent" hanging from the entrance door with the phone number of somebody attending the meeting... The "dial number to enter" device next to the entrance rings him on his cell and, well, you could see how annoying that would get.]
hi
I would like to come, too. From Syracuse. It would be my first time, but I come in only the day before from another conference, so i am really not sure if I can make it. I could help another time, though.
Need a meeting location if you want to have on 11/16
Spoke w/Coworking Rochester this morning and they are booked on Tuesday evenings. Any other night that week would work for booking this location. Any other suggestions for locations??? Let me know what everyone wants to do. I would like to be able to call a location today to get it booked. -- Darla
Wegmans?
Hi Darla,
I think some of the newer Wegmans, like Pittsford and Henrietta, have rooms you can book. They are usually attached to their dining areas. I've never used them, but wonder if they are an option. Folks can grab food, coffee, etc, too.
Mike Gastin
Bob Wright Creative
mike@bobwrightcreative.com
Wegmans ...
Hi Mike,
Thank you. I will give them a call. I also have a call in to someone at the Best Center at GCC (Genesee Community College) to see if they have a room. Will keep everyone updated as to what I can get scheduled. -- Darla
Restaurants?
It sounds like the restaurant session for October's meeting went well. Maybe we should consider something similar for Rochester?
I didn't make the October meeting, so...
-what worked well at the October meeting that we should look to duplicate?
-what didn't work that we should try to change?
-What facilities should we look for? It seems like the teleconference option might not work at a restaurant, but I could be wrong.
Aside from restaurant, there are a few coffee houses around that might be worth considering.
Update on Location
Wegman's does not have rooms in their store locations that we can use. They do have a room in the Restaurant across the street in Pittsford but there is a room charge and 20 person minimum.
Starry Nights Cafe at 696 Alexander Street has a room with wifi that we can use -- no room charge but he would like those attending to purchase food/drink. The walls are covered in murals so a projector/screen would be needed (and I have both of these). What are your thoughts on this?
I am waiting for Genesee Community College to get back to me to see what is available there (with the thought that Batavia would be central to both Buffalo and Rochester). If there are no other suggestions by tomorrow noon -- I will go ahead and book Starry Nights Cafe for our meeting.
-- Darla
Correction
Starry Nights Cafe is located at 696 University Ave -- I guess I had Alexander St. on the brain -- sorry for the confusion.
Starry nights update
Hi Darla,
I stopped by Starry Nights tonight. The 'room' they have is, as far as I or the staff can tell, the general dining room. There is broadband, but it's not private. We'd be competing with every other conversation in the room.
I like Starry Nights; they make a great espresso. I don't know if it's the best choice for the Drupal UG though.
Starry nights
I spoke w/Aaron the owner and will give him a call to double-check to see if he was referring to the main dining room. I am open to suggestions for other places. In my numerous phone calls today trying to find a place w/ wifi and our own room without a room charge is proving to be a challenge. I am hoping to be in contact with someone at GCC tomorrow as well. Will keep everyone updated on my quest to find us a suitable meeting place.
-- Darla
Meeting Update
I apologize but I have not had much success in finding a successful place (meeting room) for us to hold a meeting for tonight. If you would like to get together with no set agenda to discuss drupal in general let me know and Starry nights would be good for that -- we would be in the general dining room. Let me know.
-- Darla
Sorry I couldn't be of more
Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I'll keep my eyes open for more venues in the future. If we cannot find a good alternate venue, maybe next time we should reschedule around Coworking Rochester's availability.
No apologies needed. . . .
Darla and co.,
Please don't fret it. Other resources are bound to turn up, in (585) and (716).
Thanks for your help so far and have a happy Thanksgiving.
-John