ux organizations: how to start and run a successful local group or chapter
DESCRIPTION
This was presented at the IA Summit '09 by Kyle Soucy and Nasir Barday.TRANSCRIPT
UX OrganizationsHow to start and run a successful local group or chapter
Kyle Soucy & Nasir BardayIA Summit 3.22.09
Why is this important?
• Networking/Professional Development
• Job hunting
• Share experience and knowledge
• Encourage and support each other
• Foster growth of the industry…
The growth of the industry is inyour hands
UXUX
What’s already out there?
What about UXnet.org?
Local Events: A Design Brief
• Something to do• A place to do it• That’s it!• Nice-to-haves:– Food– Cushy venue– Professional Audio/Video– Live Stream
Places
• Just about anywhere!• Bars/Restaurants• Schools• Design studios• Tool makers• Recruiting Firms
Things to do
• Informal gatherings• Conference reduxes• Debate• Design Studios
Things to do
• Agency Walkthroughs• Hands-on training and demos
Partyyyyyyyyyyy!
Invited Speakers
• Easier than you think• Required honorariums rare• May have to pay speaker travel costs• Shape the content!• Idea: Speaker Exchange
Panels
• Need a strong facilitator• Pre-plan with panelists
Design Slam
• Short (~7-minute) presentations• Multiple speakers• Toastmasters for designers
Promoting your events
• Mailing lists (tag with [EVENT])• Social network love• Calendars:
• Live Streams• Co-sponsor events with other orgs
Volunteers
• Lots will step up, few follow through• Split up work into bite-sized pieces• Be flexible enough to strip back• Establish a core planning committee• Get buy-in and give ownership!
How to start your own chapteror group
Case study:
Source:NewEnglandArchivist.org
CT UPA
TechMaine UUUG
Massachusetts:
1. Boston UPA 2. Boston CHI3. Boston IxDA4. Boston STC5. Boston IA6. New England HFES7. NE ASIS&T8. North Shore Web Geeks9. Refresh Boston10. Boston Web Analytic11. Web Innovators Group
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The birth of NH UX
Where should we have meetings?
Source:www.visitnh.gov/student/geography.html
Do we join an association?If so, which one?
Becoming a UPA Chapter
• Write a tentative plan and petition - decide Chaptername, boundaries, and officers
• Create Chapter Bylaws - will you chargemembership?
• Hold a constituting meeting
• Submit paperwork to UPA Chapters Committee andBoard of Directors.
Outcome
Pitfalls to Avoid
• Don't plan month-to-month... plan months ahead
• Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
• Don't just have speakers... mix it up
• Don't let low attendance affect your momentum
• Don't take off months
• Don't forget to take pictures during events.
• Host your meetings in a central area and venture outsideof that area a few times
• Be careful not to form cliques by always talking to thepeople you know at every meeting
• Always have name tags
• Change up the days that you have your meetings
• Be prepared if a speaker doesn't show
