Idea for the "NH Meetup Summit"

I heard, "Blah Blah Blah, Party at my house."

Our Manchester area group vacillates between 10-20, however I'm sure a Summit would draw a crowd on the higher side.

I like the concept but fear a week night meeting and long distances causes a challenge for any enthusiast. Since the distance will basically be baking into this Summit I'm not sure that it shouldn't be something more like a camp or at the least have extended hours and be on a weekend to make the drive worth while. I think we generally want to avoid the amount of organizing that goes into a camp though. So really I'm not offering any good ideas.

Feel free to disagree.

My "vision" on this is that it is definitely NOT a camp... That endeavor is being talked about also, and this would be a topic for discussion at one of these "Summits".

Greg, I think you are probably quite right about the time/day of the week issues. To try to get as many from ALL the groups together on a single afternoon/evening would be challenging, and something like 6pm on a weeknight would definitely not allow many to make it there on time if at all...

My idea here is that this would be let's say for now, a Saturday afternoon... Likely in Concord as it's really the "closest" spot for everyone that really sits in the "center" of our regions. This will shorten the drive for some, lengthen it for others, but seems like the best idea. (I'm definitely open for other options).

So maybe it's from 4-8pm at some undetermined location either with a projector or a big screen tv we can plug into (more likely).

I'd like to discuss things like:

• Meetup Organization

  This is really my primary reasoning for this entire idea. I just really think that it will be a huge benefit that we work together to grow together in our groups, and not spiral to a point where we sort of break out into our own little groups hidden from the rest. I'd like to see/discuss things like a set of documentation for the group organizers to help guide posting guidelines, meetup schedules, and even talk about things like getting some video in at the meetups and make sure we are recording presentations, figure out how to present some of that back to the Drupal Community, etc.

• DrupalCamp NH Ideas/Planning

  As our last DrupalCamp NH was only geared towards new Drupalers, this year I want to expand on that success we had, thanks to Michelle for organizing it all, and organize a bigger camp that has both some sort of training geared to the new Drupalers, and also scheduled sessions on topics from beginner to advanced, and maybe even a big name keynote thrown in there somewhere. There's a lot to do/organize/discuss on this topic to ensure that we continue to grow as a community, and show the rest of the Drupal community what "Live free and Drupal" means!! :)

• Growing everyone's business

  We ALL have things to learn from each other, and I think (even if only every few months) the ability to get everyone together for a "Super Meetup" would be of benefit to us all, and strengthen our group AND our businesses.

I'd love to see a summit of the various New Hampshire DUGs! We've been struggling a bit to keep attendance up for the Seacoast meetup, and I'd love to hear what experiences other groups are having and brainstorm about boosting interest and participation as well as meeting other Drupalers from around the state.

I agree that a Saturday afternoon/evening event is probably the best way to go, since no matter where it's held there will be some folks that have to drive two or three hours to get there. Concord does make sense as a central location.

I'm also very much on board with developing some resources that will help all of the groups achieve some degree of consistency. We could establish some shared practices and standards that will give us a common frame of reference. My only concern would be that we be careful to not develop these to the point where they limit flexibility on the part of any individual group, or turn into a lexicon that only "insiders" can understand. If anything, I'd like this to be a way to make it easier for newcomers to know what to expect at any Drupal Users Group meeting.

I'm very excited by the prospect of meeting folks from other DUGs, so let's make this happen!
~ Kevin

I wonder if--given they are both Drupal-based businesses--if either the Monitor, or NHPR might be interested in participating and even providing the space. I've volunteered at the NHPR fund drives a couple times, and they've got a couple rooms that might work.

I think an NH meetup summit is an excellent idea, and I agree with the weekend preference. Count me in!

Also, re: DrupalCamp NH: I'd love to help out if there's an opportunity. I attended (and presented at) 'Camps in Boone (NC) and Atlanta this past year, and both of those had a good mix of beginner/intermediate/advanced material. It'll be exciting to see how DrupalCamp NH develops!

This really is a great idea, and if we can figure out a way to offer it quarterly, all the better. Better continuity and more opportunities for everyone to attend at least a couple if it's 4 times rather than 2.

And I agree with Mary that maybe finding a restaurant with a function room might be a good way to go. Keeps it informal and simpler in terms of the length of meeting balanced against eating/drinking.

Thanks Jake for taking the lead on this.

The Manchester Library has rooms the question would be if they are free or not. http://www.manchesternh.gov/website/VisitUs/MeetingRooms/tabid/1044/Defa... They maybe a good location for a Camp if funds could be raised. Not to put pressure on Jake or anyone else but it may not be a bad idea to do this in the next 6 weeks or so. If you wait any longer you will be pushing into the summer with Graduations, weddings, etc and finding a room may be harder. Here is another location to consider http://www.theyardrestaurant.com/seminars.html

I won't be there in time for this, I don't get to NH 'til June 1st, but I'm definitely very interested in helping the Keene group :) Just take lots of notes & I'll catch up later.

I was noting some similar concerns in trying to unify a region down in NC/SC where my former life is, and it took me back to this idea.

I think we New-Hampshirites (is that what we go by? I'm new here) have a unique opportunity to define how we will (a) maintain our individuality while (b) presenting a united front for the region or at least the state of NH. I think of primary import is the idea of having a single NH DrupalCamp (each year?), but with more local DUGs that are convenient for people. We can move the larger Camp around from town to town, much like they do with Cons in North America (traditionally the USA, of course).

Of course, this can all be discussed at the Summit, which I think is great and I hope to be able to attend. (I agree with a Saturday, and I agree with Barley House. I agree with everything.)

I'm getting really psyched for this Summit!! Unfortunately I've got commitments in the evening on both April 30th and Saturday, May 7th (in Portsmouth at 7pm).
Is there a chance that it would be during the afternoon, or are we looking at an evening slot? I'll also look into getting another member of the Seacoast NH DUG to come along in case I can't be there (for all or part of it).

Just a reminder for those that haven't yet, please be SURE to remember to use the SIGNUP button for the NH Meetup Summit event.
http://groups.drupal.org/node/139954

This will help me track an expected turnout for the event!!!

I've been traveling for the last month and missed it. Any recordings or notes. Look forward to seeing you in Manchester and Portsmouth this month. I've missed my Drupal bff's!

Boz