April 29, 2010 at 9:45 am
I am interested in starting a SQL Server user group in the Albany, NY area. I would like advice on the best way to start a group, how often to meet, how to administrate, all the nuts and bolts of starting and operating a group, etc..
I am also interested in hearing from anyone in the region that may be interested in joining.
Thanks,
Dan
April 29, 2010 at 11:13 am
First things first, contact Blythe Morrow (blythe.morrow@sqlpass dot org) at PASS. They have a starter kit and an infrastructure that will get you going. After that, get help. There are people who do it all themselves (Adam Machanic comes to mind), but most of us need two or three people to run the group. After that you should work on finding a free location. If you have a local Microsoft office, that's usually a good place to start.
After that... I don't know. I helped get our user group started and I'm running it, but we're still pretty much at the 10-12 people a meeting stage.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
April 29, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Thanks Grant, this is helpful.
Someone on LinkedIn referred me to Blythe a little earlier today. I sent her an email asking for details.
I am curious about the number of members vs. the numbers of meeting attendees. I expect 100% attendance is never a reality and I wonder what a critical mass of members might be to make meetings large enough for some good networking and interaction with presenters.
Thanks,
Dan
April 29, 2010 at 1:56 pm
dbowlin (4/29/2010)
Thanks Grant, this is helpful.Someone on LinkedIn referred me to Blythe a little earlier today. I sent her an email asking for details.
I am curious about the number of members vs. the numbers of meeting attendees. I expect 100% attendance is never a reality and I wonder what a critical mass of members might be to make meetings large enough for some good networking and interaction with presenters.
Thanks,
Dan
One thing, watch for the cliches. As a leader, be sure you talk to all attendees during the "meet and greet" portion of the meeting. I have found that when I do get to a users group meeting, the opportunity to network os limited by the cliches I have observed and the leaders didn't really make an effort to talk to all attendees.
April 29, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Hi Dan - I'm interested in being a part of such a group. By no means do I consider myself an expert at SQL, however I have worked in it for about 10 years. Sometimes full time, sometimes not. I have been working full time with it for the past few years.
April 29, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Lynn Pettis (4/29/2010)
dbowlin (4/29/2010)
Thanks Grant, this is helpful.Someone on LinkedIn referred me to Blythe a little earlier today. I sent her an email asking for details.
I am curious about the number of members vs. the numbers of meeting attendees. I expect 100% attendance is never a reality and I wonder what a critical mass of members might be to make meetings large enough for some good networking and interaction with presenters.
Thanks,
Dan
One thing, watch for the cliches. As a leader, be sure you talk to all attendees during the "meet and greet" portion of the meeting. I have found that when I do get to a users group meeting, the opportunity to network os limited by the cliches I have observed and the leaders didn't really make an effort to talk to all attendees.
Great point Lynn, thanks. I will be sure to watch out for it.
April 29, 2010 at 8:18 pm
danlestage (4/29/2010)
Hi Dan - I'm interested in being a part of such a group. By no means do I consider myself an expert at SQL, however I have worked in it for about 10 years. Sometimes full time, sometimes not. I have been working full time with it for the past few years.
Thanks for your interest. I will contact you as things get closer to reality. You can contact me in the meantime if you have any questions, or suggestions.
Dan
April 29, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Lynn Pettis (4/29/2010)
dbowlin (4/29/2010)
Thanks Grant, this is helpful.Someone on LinkedIn referred me to Blythe a little earlier today. I sent her an email asking for details.
I am curious about the number of members vs. the numbers of meeting attendees. I expect 100% attendance is never a reality and I wonder what a critical mass of members might be to make meetings large enough for some good networking and interaction with presenters.
Thanks,
Dan
One thing, watch for the cliches. As a leader, be sure you talk to all attendees during the "meet and greet" portion of the meeting. I have found that when I do get to a users group meeting, the opportunity to network os limited by the cliches I have observed and the leaders didn't really make an effort to talk to all attendees.
Good advice Lynn. Even in small groups there tend to be cliques and it is sometimes difficult to break through those cliques.
I recommend you start working on getting a presenter pool going right now. And always have an alternate plan in case something happens to a presenter.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
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April 30, 2010 at 5:50 am
dbowlin (4/29/2010)
Thanks Grant, this is helpful.Someone on LinkedIn referred me to Blythe a little earlier today. I sent her an email asking for details.
I am curious about the number of members vs. the numbers of meeting attendees. I expect 100% attendance is never a reality and I wonder what a critical mass of members might be to make meetings large enough for some good networking and interaction with presenters.
Thanks,
Dan
I think we're well over 100 members and probably coming up on 200. But attendance is only about 12 at a time, and usually the same 12 most of the time. I know other user groups do better, but it's still only ever going to be a small fraction of members in attendance.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
April 30, 2010 at 5:53 am
Lynn Pettis (4/29/2010)
dbowlin (4/29/2010)
Thanks Grant, this is helpful.Someone on LinkedIn referred me to Blythe a little earlier today. I sent her an email asking for details.
I am curious about the number of members vs. the numbers of meeting attendees. I expect 100% attendance is never a reality and I wonder what a critical mass of members might be to make meetings large enough for some good networking and interaction with presenters.
Thanks,
Dan
One thing, watch for the cliches. As a leader, be sure you talk to all attendees during the "meet and greet" portion of the meeting. I have found that when I do get to a users group meeting, the opportunity to network os limited by the cliches I have observed and the leaders didn't really make an effort to talk to all attendees.
Cliches = a saying, expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect'
Clique = an inclusive group of people who share interests, views, purposes, patterns of behavior, or ethnicity
I'm reading it and thinking "Avoid cliches" what the heck does that mean? Then I figured it out. Gave me a good laugh.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
April 30, 2010 at 5:55 am
Another person to contact is your local Microsoft... what's the word, it's not advocate, but somethign like that. Anyway, I'm not sure who yours is for your region. It might be the same as mine. If you don't know who it is there locally, let me know and I'll give you my contact.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
April 30, 2010 at 7:11 am
Dan -- if you want, I have access to some resources via my MS certifications. If you want, I can start shaking that tree.
Besides you, me, and the two others you met at SQL Saturday, how many potential people do we have so far here in Albany?
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April 30, 2010 at 7:36 am
Grant Fritchey (4/30/2010)
Lynn Pettis (4/29/2010)
dbowlin (4/29/2010)
Thanks Grant, this is helpful.Someone on LinkedIn referred me to Blythe a little earlier today. I sent her an email asking for details.
I am curious about the number of members vs. the numbers of meeting attendees. I expect 100% attendance is never a reality and I wonder what a critical mass of members might be to make meetings large enough for some good networking and interaction with presenters.
Thanks,
Dan
One thing, watch for the cliches. As a leader, be sure you talk to all attendees during the "meet and greet" portion of the meeting. I have found that when I do get to a users group meeting, the opportunity to network os limited by the cliches I have observed and the leaders didn't really make an effort to talk to all attendees.
Cliches = a saying, expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect'
Clique = an inclusive group of people who share interests, views, purposes, patterns of behavior, or ethnicity
I'm reading it and thinking "Avoid cliches" what the heck does that mean? Then I figured it out. Gave me a good laugh.
Glad everyone was able to figure out what I really meant. Sorry, but running on about half a tank this whole week and spell check doesn't catch the wrong word spelled correctly.
Really, I don't know how I lived on 4 hours sleep a day, 5 days a week for 15 years while commuting from Colorado Springs to Denver. Old age must be catching up with me. 😛
April 30, 2010 at 7:50 am
Ray K (4/30/2010)
Dan -- if you want, I have access to some resources via my MS certifications. If you want, I can start shaking that tree.Besides you, me, and the two others you met at SQL Saturday, how many potential people do we have so far here in Albany?
A few people on LinkedIn have also expressed interest. I know a few others personally. Right now, a very small group. The key will be to achieve a critical mass of people so that even with a small attendance there are enough people at the meetings to make it worth all of our time. If you have any ideas on how to reach out to people in the area that may be interested, but unaware, let me know. I have contacted Blythe at PASS and she will be sending me some info that I am sure will help. This may take a while, but I will keep you updated.
Dan
May 18, 2010 at 11:18 am
Hey Dan, anything to report on this?
Haven't heard from you in a while, so I was just wondering!
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Check out my blog at https://pianorayk.wordpress.com/
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