[LeapBusiness] Considerations When Making Suggestions ...

[Bryan J. Smith]

Just some general considerations when making suggestions.  These are
all my own opinions and should not be considered anything but my own
views (which may be hypocritical coming from myself ;) ...

1.  Use LEAPBusiness, Not LEAPList

We established this list to keep the non-technical, meta-discussions
off the main list.  I can personally tell when these "flair up"
because I get multiple "digests" per day, instead of one or less.  ;)
 Technical noise (especially Linux) should be on LEAPList.  This list
was created for exactly the purpose of discussion such (especially
since the people involved are a clear and regular minority of the
membership).

2.  Volunteer Yourself First and Foremost

Suggestions should be made as a volunteer.  As the sign on the Animal
Shelter says, "If you don't like what you see here ... volunteer!" 
Patronizing others (even if honest and sincere) to do things is not
enough.  You don't have to be an officer in LEAP to do so (I
certainly have never been, on purpose, for various reasons ;).  

3.  Find Two (2) More Volunteers

One person is not reliable.  Two (2) people are fairly reliable. 
Three (3) are, statistically, always reliable.  Standard sigma
statistics will often apply to probability (i.e., 67%, 96%, >99%,
respectively).  Find at least one (1), if not two (2), other
volunteers to share the responsibility of any new suggestion.

4.  Don't Focus on Attendance or Membership

Too many people have the "I know what will make the group more
popular" or "I know what will draw more people" attitude.  In all
honesty, too many people want to do too much, and try to make
everyone happy.  The group exists out of "different whoms who do some
whats," and won't and can't artificially cater to "those different
whoms who do other (all) whats."

Referring back to #2 & #3, suggestions I can make include ...

- If you want to see more first-time Linux users, volunteer to teach
new user classes (e.g., at InstallFests or as a side meeting at the
monthly)
- If you want to see more Windows administrators or other IT
professionals, volunteer to teach professional or even certificate
programs (e.g., LPI, etc...)
- If you want to have free drink, food, etc... provided, find three
(3) people to share this duty with, and work on the financial
aspects**
- Etc...

In all cases, work with the LEAP Executive Committee (elected
officers).

**NOTE:  Please be conscience that LEAP is a technical group as much
as a people networking group, but LEAP is _not_ a "vendor outlet"
group.  I.e., "freebies" can lead to vendor marketing dominance of
meetings over technical "meat," which plagues more
"vendor-aligned/provider-aligned" groups.  LEAP will have vendor
speakers, but the content and focus will always be on the subject
matter, not the marketing.  Focusing on "freebies" can lead to some
of the issues that plague other groups, so be conscience of such
situations that may arise in some suggestions.

5.  Minimize (i.e., eliminate) Server Change Suggestions

Anything that requires changes to the LEAP server requires
involvement of its root administrators.  LEAP does not own the server
it runs on, and all of its charitable admins/owners have full-time
employment.  Their volunteering is already extensive.  Please avoid
criticisms of how the server is run, and in all honesty and more
specifically, people like Phil Barnett especially doesn't deserve it.

6.  Pay Your Yearly, Voluntary Dues

The more money LEAP has, the more it can do.  Just the yearly dues go
a long way, and are 100% volunteer-based.  For every member or two
that pays, we can probably afford those small things at a couple of
meetings and/or InstallFests.  If you want to give more, buy multiple
memberships for individuals in your family (if that's how you want to
justify it).  As a bonus, you'll have more voting power during
elections.  ;)

( Speaking of which, I haven't paid since 2006, I think.  Shame! ;)


-- 
Bryan J. Smith       Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org  http://www.linkedin.com/in/bjsmith
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       Fission Power:  An Inconvenient Solution