Social Media and User Groups: An Introduction

By Rick Ortiz, Apple User Group Advisory Board Chair

Apple User Groups are a place for individuals with similar technology interests to meet and network with each other and make connections. Typically user groups meet in person on a monthly basis at a designated location to discuss topics related to Apple products. User groups were the first stage of social media. What social media has done, is take the in-person networking of people and bring it online into the internet digital world, allowing for a broader connection for individuals and groups.

If user groups served as the foundation for what social media has become, then it is important for user groups to continue to evolve and allow their network of members to make connections online as well. There are a number of social media resources available to user groups. We will take a look at some of the more popular online social media resources, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We will discuss what each one offers and how it can benefit your group. (more…)

Nicholas Pyers Presents: Don’t Carry the Burden Alone!

auo-logo-full-steel-greyDoes your group rely on a small group of long-time volunteers for every task? Groups often lose members when individuals feel like they are being asked to single-handedly carry a large portion of the group’s work. In February, Nicholas Pyers of AppleUsers.org offered some wise advice on how to share the burden by bringing more members into the circle. A quick read will show that his plan is both workable and a great way to build community within your group. Check it out, and while you are there, check out his many other valuable tips for running your group: http://www.appleusers.org/ugr/dont-carry-the-burden-alone/

Nicholas Pyers Presents: Working with Presenters After the Event

Nicholas Pyers of AppleUsers.org offers the fourth installment of his Dealing with Presenters series. While the first article covered Approaching Potential Presenters, the second offered tips for Confirming Presenters, and the third talked about Working with Presenters On the Night, the fourth, Working with Presenters After the Event, is especially interesting because it explains what your group should do after the presentation. As he notes, most groups do not engage in these important actions – actions that can can have an important effect on your group’s relationship with current and potential presenters.

Check it out!

http://www.appleusers.org/ugr/working-with-presenters-after-the-event/

What is an Apple User Group Ambassador?

As a leader for your user group, you may have seen some benefits and vendor offers listed throughout our site. The question that most often comes up from user groups, is how they can take advantage of these benefits. The answer is by having an Apple User Group Ambassador.

An Apple User Group Ambassador is the role assigned to one individual from each recognized Apple User Group in the Apple User Group Locator (database). Leaders from each user group choose a member from their group who will serve in this role. The Ambassador for the group serves as the link and primary contact to the Apple User Group program.

What benefits does your user group receive from having an Apple User Group Ambassador? Below is a list and links to items to  assist your groups ambassador.

Apple Sales Web (ASW) – ASW provides Ambassadors with access to the latest Apple product information, PDF print- outs, and Keynote presentation resources that you can integrate into your meetings.
Apple Sales Training Online (ASTO) – ASTO allows Ambassadors to stay up to date on Apple products and information by taking courses and earning points. ASTO courses can help you to prepare presentations for your meetings.
Apple User Group Bulletin (AUGB) – A monthly newsletter for user group leaders with a summary of the latest news, vendor discount offers and announcements for the Apple User Group community.
Apple User Group Discussion List (AUGD) – An Apple email discussion list where you can ask questions and interact with other user group leaders from around the world.
User Group How-To Articles – These are topics specifically geared towards leaders in assisting them with their user group.
User Group Vendor Discount Offers – Short-term discounts on new and proven products offered exclusively to user group leaders and members

If your group does not have an ambassador, leadership has changed, or you want to find out more about the ambassador program, a guide for user group ambassadors can be found here. If you need further assistance, visit our support site and a user group support team member can assist you.

How To: Stimulate Questions (and Answers) at User Group Meetings

Written By Tom Piper

Our members are often too timid to ask questions at meetings because they’re afraid it might appear “dumb” or embarrassing. We just started a new way to elicit questions in advance of our monthly meetings which has become very successful.

Five days before each meeting, we email a notice to all members which reminds them of the topic, location and website information. Now, we have added the following:

(see NEW requests below . . . the iTunes card drawing will offered ONLY to those responding with questions)

• Meeting Question, what do you need to know?

(to submit, just highlight the Meeting Question above, click Reply, enter your questions, and click Send to email back your responses BEFORE January 5)

This has produced about a dozen questions for each meeting. These questions are projected on the screen for easy viewing, and the responses by our “gurus” often stimulate other related questions from attendees.

We are so pleased that this technique has gotten more people involved, and many warm comments have been offered afterwards.

For more information, feel free to visit our website at www.applejac.org, or contact me directly at macquest@mac.com.

How To: Presenting the Apple Watch at User Group Meetings

Since Apple introduced the Apple Watch, many members are eager to know more about the basics. Most groups are used to presenting on a projector or flat screen television. In a previous how-to, we discussed how to present iOS at user group meetings. But the Apple Watch does not have any built in features that easily allow us to share the screen interface. So, how do you present the Apple Watch then? With some new hardware and software tools, along with some previous tools, we will get you prepared for presenting and showing off the Apple Watch at your user group meetings. (more…)

How To: Volunteers, Communities and User Groups by Rick Ortiz

Over the years, some of the best ideas for user group leadership have come from the worldwide community of user group officers, the hard working leaders and experts who ensure that their groups survive and thrive.

One of this month’s topics comes from a User Group Leadership Conference hosted in Boston back in 2004. Rick Ortiz, currently chair of the Apple User Group Advisory Board, Apple consultant, and long-time user group officer of the Maui Apple Users Society offered insights about volunteers, communities and user groups.

Community and groups by Rick Ortiz

Thanks Rick!

How-To: Group Volunteers

In our January User Group How-To we discussed ways to revitalize your group. This How-To will expand on that article, focusing on volunteer involvement and management. Volunteering is key to a group’s success. Parts of this article were taken from a presentation given at User Group University held at Macworld in 2007. The focus of the presentation was on volunteers and community involvement. This how-to will look at volunteer types and roles, difficult volunteers, and most importantly recognizing your volunteers.  (more…)

Meeting Ideas: Planning Topics by Doan Stafford

Over the years, some of the best ideas for user group leadership have come from the worldwide community of user group officers, the hard working folk who ensure that their groups survive and thrive.

One of this month’s topics comes from Doan Stafford, long-time leader of QMUG and an active supporter of the user group community. In 2004, he was one of the featured speakers at User Group University during the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, offering ways to plan group meeting topics well in advance.

Thanks Doan!

Plan_Your_Meeting_Topics_UGU_2004