January BDUG

We encourage users to post events happening in the community to the community events group on https://www.drupal.org.
cweagans's picture
Posted by cweagans on January 7, 2014 at 12:49am

In lieu of having an in-person meetup this month, I'd like to have a discussion about what we'd like the user group to be. I remember a couple years ago when we had ~20-30 people attending regularly. I'd love to get the user group attendance back up to that point, and I'm wondering what would make the user group worthwhile to attend.

In the past, we've had lecture-style meetups. Recently, we've had "everyone get together and eat pizza and talk" meetups.

What would make BDUG a can't-miss event for you?

Thanks, and happy new year!

Comments

I've come to the realization

Posted by IdahoBoy on January 31, 2014 at 7:47am
IdahoBoy's picture

I've come to the realization that Drupal people are very busy people. Today is the first time I saw this notice (and the November and December meetup dates).

Here are some random thoughts of mine that hopefully will help this discussion (three weeks later):

  • I'm very interested in a Boise Drupal meetup.
  • These meeting times just have not been working for me.
  • It took me 7-months of following this group to realize that schedule is set to be the third Tuesday of the month.
  • Tuesdays are bad for my schedule.
  • I'm older now: Kids trump Drupal - I can justify Drupal social meetings during working hours, but it's difficult to justify Drupal social meetings when my "kids" time is jeopardized.
  • Daytime meetings (perhaps near end of days or over extended lunches) will work better for me.
  • Notifications from Drupal groups typically don't make my calendar due to the volume of email I get.
  • I'd prefer to meet at a restaurant or bar or lounge type atmosphere over a conference room in front of yet another screen.
  • Most of us spend all day in front of screens.
  • I've had more epiphanies on backs of napkins over a beer than looking at a screen in my life.
  • I'm not interested in attending these meetings in order to drum up business or listen to sales pitches.
  • I am interested in sharing knowledge and experiences in hopes of relating to like-minded individuals and fostering growth in the usage and understanding of Drupal.
  • Meeting just once a month is a brutal schedule to keep a consistent group coming. If I miss one meeting it could be two-months between visits... and in the summer, I'm pretty certain you won't see me.
  • I have found that if you get folks meeting more regularly (especially in an informal place, e.g. every Thursday at some 3:30-pm happy hour), you'll have more opportunities to build your base and less time-passed between meetings if you happen to miss a meeting. Once you get a core built-up, then the need for a more formal setting. I'd be willing to commit to drinking a beer at a place for a few weeks and bet I can rope a few other Drupalers into doing that as well.

To summarize: I want consistent drinking opportunities, apparently. :)