by ugabadmin | Mar 7, 2015 | Leaders, Resources, User Group How To
The Apple User Group Resource Team introduced a new vendor program a few months ago. User group leaders who used our vendor program in the past saw it as a discount offer based program. This aspect of our vendor program still exists. In revitalizing this program, we had one goal. It was to offer user groups presentation resources from vendors to use for meetings. The idea was a “meeting-in-a-box.” The vendor could provide the needed information in print material, online presentations, video tutorials, or remote presentations. So how do you take advantage to the program? This how-to will take you through the process of using the program, working with the vendors in the program and using the resource materials offered.
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by Saundra (Sandy) Foderick, Editor | Jan 4, 2015 | News & Events, User Group How To
What can a group do when long-time leaders move on, burn out, get older, or simply find themselves unable or unwilling to serve? Is dissolution the only reasonable response?
On our discussion list and via email, group leaders provided insightful responses for a group struggling with this question. Their suggestions included spreading the work around, aligning the person to the task, sorting needs from niceties, publicity, appreciation and humor. While each of these may seem easier said than done, leaders offered concrete ideas to support their suggestions.
A thank you to participants is at the end of this guide. If I have missed a contributor, please let me know.
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by ugabadmin | Dec 4, 2014 | Leaders, Resources, User Group How To
User Groups both big and small must deal with record keeping and managing membership. For group leaders this can sometimes be burdensome and time-intensive work. Managing a database of members, membership payments, and, of course getting the monthly meeting emails out can take a majority of your group’s leaders’ time each month. There is no one-way-fits-all for groups to manage their members. The goal of this how-to is to offer some tips and guidance, to help automate some of your groups’ membership tasks so that your group leaders can spend their time creating great meetings. We will look at member database management, communication, and payment options for membership. (more…)
by ugabadmin | Oct 31, 2014 | User Group How To
In the past, Apple User Groups could earn a free MobileMe paid account to host their group’s website, use as a contact email, and a few other features. With the introduction of iCloud, some of the services changed or were enhanced, and some were removed. But the accounts are now free. Apple continues to develop and add new features to iCloud. What user group leaders may not know, is that these features can offer resources to your group leaders and members. Most individuals use iCloud to integrate and sync data between computers, iPads and iPhones. In this how-to we will look at how groups can use iCloud for maintaining a membership list, notes, meeting presentations and many other features.
In order to avoid conflicts with your personal iCloud account, this how-to is going to focus on using iCloud as a web based service for your user group.
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by ugabadmin | Oct 20, 2014 | User Group How To, User Group Meeting Materials
Traditionally many user groups were known as “Mac” user groups. With the popularity and growth of iPhones and iPads, many groups are changing to become “Apple” user groups. In the past, meeting presentations could be done by hooking a Mac computer up to a projector or television. For iOS devices this can be a challenge. The Apple Use Group Resource team has put together some tips and strategies to get you up and running, presenting iOS at your user group meetings. We will address hardware needs, Apple technologies, software options and user groups successfully using these technologies. Read on.
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