Proposal: The front page of GDO needs links to static pages that offer information and/or assistance to users. These static pages would not exist within a specific group and would not be open for commenting. These are informative pages with useful links.
In this Wiki I would like to see us collaborate on the contents of this "local groups" page. As the page develops we may find new directives for the page and we may even discover that it needs to be split off into multiple pages. - dougvann
----------- begin content for a page linked to from the front page of GDO ---------------
Local Group
What are they?
Local groups offer a human face to the Drupal project all around the globe. Currently there are ((does some one have a number?)) groups in North America alone. These groups meet in Libraries, homes, bars, restaurants, and offices on a regular basis. It is here that many people get their 1st real introduction to Drupal. For others it is through the group that they overcome some of the Drupal learning curve and start really taking off.
Local groups aren't just about what you can get out of them. In the course of helping others, many people hone their public speaking and Drupal presenting skills at local groups, then go on to present at Drupal camps and Drupalcons. Being active in your group looks really good on a resume!
How to plug in?
Head over to the groups page at http://groups.drupal.org/groups and select GEOGRAPHICAL as the Group-Type. In the search text-field enter your state name and press enter. Hopefully you will see some options for your state that are close enough for you to get involved.
If your City, State, or Region is not listed
Start your own! :-0 http://groups.drupal.org/node/add/og There are some guidelines and any new group is subject to approval. Drupal enjoys many thriving groups. These groups would never have existed if some one hadn't said, "I'll start it!"