[CLUE-Talk] CLUE North

[Jeffery Cann]

Greetings.

This weekend closed the CLUE North poll.  The results were interesting and 
exciting.  70 people voted.  44 responded 'yes' to the question 'Would you 
attend a monthly CLUE meeting held in the Northern Metro Denver area?'.  This 
meeting would not replace the DTC meeting.

At our February CLUE Board meeting, we discussed the possibility of CLUE 
North.  There are several pros can cons for a second monthly (or bimonthly) 
meeting to be held in the northern metro area.  All of the board members 
support this idea to one degree or another.

On the positive side, another meeting, would help us promote Linux.  This is 
the goal of CLUE and so the more opportunity we have to expose folks to 
Linux, the better we meet our goal.

In addition, the I-25 corridor prohibits easy access of north metro 
residents, but a second meeting would accomodate CLUBies up north.  The 
corridor travel problem will get worse during the next 5-7 years of TREX.

Finally, the opportunity for Linux-friendly companies to show support at a 
CLUE North meeting does exist and so both the CLUEbies and the companies get 
many mutual benefits.

On the negative side, several board members and general CLUBies expressed 
concern about how a CLUE North meeting would affect BLUG in Boulder.  Several 
folks wanted to know why folks do not attend BLUG, but would attend a CLUE 
North.  My thought is that if you live in Arvada, you are basically 
equidistant to either Boulder or DTC, so I understand this point of view.

Also, all of the current DTC board members live in the DTC (or generally in 
South metro area).  This presents several logistical problems for holding a 
second meeting.  The least of which is that the drive is bad both ways along 
I-25, so some board members are reluctant to commit to attending second 
meeting that involved a 1 hour drive one way.  BTW - This is the reason most 
often given to me by CLUEbies that live up north.

So, as the CLUE President, it is my job to solicit the help of our CLUBie 
network and ask for volunteers to help make the CLUE North meeting a reality.

We need 2-3 folks (who live up north) plan the logistics with the current 
CLUE board members for the CLUE North meeting.  Luckily, CLUE has held 
continuous meetings for nearly 8 years, so we have several ideas and 
suggestions that will ease the implementation.  In addition, the current crop 
of CLUE board members is ready and willing to help as needed.

Just like the DTC CLUE meetings, the CLUE North meetings will not happen 
without the efforts of committed volunteers.  So, for the 44 folks who 
answered 'yes' to the poll -- now is the time to ask not what your LUG can do 
for you, but what you can do for your LUG!

Do not be afraid of volunteering!  I have been a volunteer with CLUE for over 
three years and have had so much fun and met so many folks (many are now my 
close friends) that I cannot imagine not being involved.  It is a rewarding 
experience!  I belive other past and present volunteers share this thought.

The actual number of hours per week you would spend coordinating the meetings 
is minimal.  However, it is more than a single person could handle and not 
burn out.  This is why we need 2-3 CLUEbies!

Please respond to me directly at <president at clue.denver.co.us> if you would 
like to volunteer or would like additional information.  If you are unsure 
and would like more information about the responsibilities of a volunteer, 
then please also send me an email.

Also, please feel free to respond to the list if you would like to start any 
discussion on this topic.

If we get enough volunteers, we will work out the next steps off list (well, 
off this list and on the CLUE-Admin list).

Jeffery Cann
CLUE President