UK usergroup / meetup

[Michael McAndrew]

Dear CiviCRM users,

I'd like to start a CiviCRM user group for all those using and developing the product in the UK - what does the CiviCRM community think of that?

I'm happy to do the organising, but am very open to offers of help - in particular, it would be great to hear experiences, advice and feeback from already existing usergroups/meetups and from CiviCRM developers.

I'm by no means an expert at CiviCRM, but have a history in open source and non-profit technology work.  I've been interested in CiviCRM for a while and have come across a few people around the UK that are using it already or just starting off with it.  I think we could benefit from more collaboration, and face to face meet ups are a great way to encourage this.  Recently I exchanged a couple of emails with John Kenyon (a great CiviCRM guy I met at the great UK circuit riders conference in February) who said that with enough notice and a bit of luck, we might get a developer to attend.  That would be fantastic, if possible.

If this sounds like a good idea, then when and where and who?

When
Day time or the evening?  Weekdays vs. weekends?  I think a month sounds like the right amount of notice.  How does Wednesday 21 May (exactly one month from today) sound for everyone?  As far as I can see, the only thing happening that day is the UEFA cup final. 

Where
Closest to the largest amount of users, no? at least to start off with.  i.e. where are you?  location tbc.

Who
if you are interested in this, please add your name below.

Thanks for your interest,
Michael

PS  Feel free to repost and link back to this post in other suitable groups and lists.

[geilhufe]

I think it is a great idea. If I was in the UK, I'd totally be there

Couple of notes about user groups:
(1) They tend to follow an odd trajectory of big-little-medium. Folks sign up for the first couple, then stop going, and then return after awhile. As an organizer, some times you might be sitting at a table by yourself.
(2) Find a core of 2-3 people to share leadership with. That way you have someone to drink beers with when no one shows up.
(3) Publicize broadly -- groups.dupal.org in the CiviCRM and UK groups, the same places in the joomla community, saw your post on ukriders, try to connect with some of the various charity technology activities.
(4) Just be patient and have fun with it. The most successful groups I've seen have a core of folks that like to hang out together. And a larger groups that shows up for the content.

There are some good UK civicrm community folks who I'm sure would be interested in attending.

Thanks for taking this on and good luck!

[jpb]

Hi

I'm not using CiviCRM yet but keen to start doing so. I'm in London.
Thanks for offering to organise events. Please let me know about anything taking place.

James

[Dave Greenberg]

Hi Michael - It would be very cool to see this get going. It's probably a bit difficult for any of us on the core dev team to make it to the UK - but I'd be happy to join the gathering via Skype / IRC if you're meeting in a place with connectivity. I'll keep my eye on this topic so I can "be there" if possible :-)

[volresource]

There'll be a mention in the VolResource email newsletter tomorrow.

Have you contacted known CiviCRM users in the UK? On CharityBlog (http://www.charityblog.org.uk/wordpress/links/) I've noted Amnesty, Aid Workers Network and Association of Volunteer Managers. There are probably more - I've more or less given up trying to keep track of open source CMS use in vol orgs.

I played with a CiviCRM installation a while ago but haven't had a good enough reason to spend more time on it recently.

John Howes, VolResource
www.volresource.org.uk

[Michael McAndrew]

Hi there,

Great to see that there is interest in this group.  People have replied on the UK riders email list and elsewhere.  Will post summary of locations here soon so we can decide on where.  I'll continue to publicise it on other lists.  Feel free to pass on to people who might be interested.  Thanks, John, for the mention in VolResource.

One important 'W' I didn't pose is What?  It might be nice to keep the agenda open for the first meeting, but if anyone would like to present / demonstrate, then get in contact, or even better, post your ideas here.

Michael

[alanski]

I am just starting with CiviCRM on Joomla and looking to engage some of my charity friends in using it.

I am in Brighton but would be happy (ish) travel for meetings to take part.

please sign me up for more news....will pass on too

alanski

[Peter Chauncy]

I am based in London.  21st May is possible. Evening preferable.

We have used CiviCRM for a couple of years now as a contacts manager. We use it with Drupal. We have just upgraded to 2.0 and looking at using more of the features.

Peter

[Pad Daniels]

Hi there I'm Patrick and have been using CiviCRM for the Association of Volunteer Managers as already spotted by John. We currently in the processing of redesigning the website and in the process of upgrading to Drupal 6. I'd be really interested to be involved in this usergroup- though can't make 21st May...

[jystewart]

Was there any progress on this? If something happens in London I'd be interested.

There may be some overlap with the Drupal for NGOs event in June?

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/610734/

[Michael McAndrew]

Dear all,

After a short delay, here's an update on the usergroup.  For now, lets keep all discussions on this thread until we find ourselves a more suitable home.

The 21st is now only a week away.  So far, I've received interest from 14 people (most wanting to physically attend meetings, some wanting to keep up to date).  They are from the following places.

Brighton, 1
Bristol, 2 (with a "growing community of users")
Cheshire, 1
Coventry, 1
London, 5
USA, 2
Worcestershire, 1
Unknown!, 1

Predicatably, London is the most popular location.  Next is Bristol and it seems that there is a growing community there too.  So either would be good for the first meeting, I think.  Apologies to all those that have to travel - that, I guess, is one limitation of meeting in person!  I personally am in favour of moving the venue round the country.

For the first meeting, a venue may be available in Bristol.  I also know of a venue in London we could use with internet (probably not wifi) that would potentially allow people to be there virtually.

What does everyone think about a late afternoon meeting that slips into an evening meeting for those that want to stay on?  That might satisfy both people who want to come during work time, and those that prefer afterwards (i'm happy to stay for a social afterwards!)

I've sent notice of this update via email to all those whose email I have.  If you want to post your email here or send me an email (my address is on my profile) then I'll keep you up to date too.

Look forward to your opinions on location.  Would be very handy if you could confirm if you are going to come.  Hope to see you next Thursday.
Michael

[paulm]

Hi

May be able to make a London meeting

Paul Matthews

[jpb]

Sounds good. I would probably only be able to come after office hours.
I'm not actually using CiviCRM - just interested in doing so.

[Michael McAndrew]

Hi there,

Here are details for the Usergroup.  Big Meeting Room, Voluntary Action Westminster, 37 Chapel Street, NW1 5DP. 4pm onwards. 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=37+Chapel+Street,+NW1+5DP

Will go to The Chapel afterwards, which is a pub next to this building on the corner of Chapel Street and the Old Marylebone Road.

If you'd want to talk before hand, you can call me on 07817 802299.

Michael

[speleo]

Good to see this has got off the ground. I'd be up for a meeting in Bristol when your round this way.