Change in Leadership

[Jason]

This post was updated on Nov. 28/10. Updates are in blue.

For those that missed the meeting last night, I announced that Brian Sterling, who has been our president for almost two years, has stepped down. With a child, a new house and a new job, he just doesn't have as much time for PLUG as he would like. PLUG thanks Brian for his service and we hope to see him at future meetings. Running a user group is a lot more complicated than might first appear and Brian took up the mantle. We owe him our gratitude, so let me the first to say - Thanks, Brian!

I have returned to the role of President. Bill Hopkins is continuing as VP and Michael Fox has agreed to be the Second VP. Here's what they will do. While I will do much of the work between PLUG meetings, if I'm unable to attend a meeting, Bill will step in. Likewise, if Bill can't make it, Mike will step in. If I were to become unavailable between meetings for whatever reason, the same steps would happen. We'll announce it in the forums should either situation occur.
Also, Mike Fox will be planning upcoming monthly meetings. So please let him know if you have a topic you'd like to present.

Bill Hopkins will be scheduling bi-weekly MUGs. We haven't a lot of people coming to MUGs which is a pity since they're a lot of fun! Come out, have a tasty treat and enjoy discussions where we talk about everything from android to zeppelins. You don't have to sign up but it's helpful so we save enough seats!

Now, and this is vital, we need more members to step up and deliver presentations. In larger groups, there would normally be enough members offering to talk. But because we're small,  it's usually the same three who demo, with occasional discussions from others. It's a lot to ask of three people to deliver ten presentations a year between them. It's not sustainable so we need everyone on board.

So, please, offer to present in the next seven months a topic related to Linux, Android, Cross-platform software or even just hardware. We're a friendly crowd. We don't bite.

Presentations don't have to be long affairs, even a 5-15 minute talk is helpful. How about showing the latest version of Linux you're using and telling us why?

You could just do a show and tell of the latest hardware you bought.

If you have a Linux problem, bring it to the club and maybe we can help.

We could even have a more casual meeting with our laptops at a table and we show off what Linux distro and apps we're using. If you're interested in that, let Mike know!

[fox]

Thanks Brian for all you have done for the club! I have learned a lot from you, and I hope you'll still be able to find the time to participate, and maybe even do another presentation in the future.

As Jason noted, we're keen to diversify the presentations by getting as many club members as possible presenting something. Every member I've talked to knows something I don't, which to me means that they have something to teach others, or at least spark their interest. Feel free to post ideas on the Forum or if you prefer, message me with your idea(s).

One idea that was mentioned last night was to have workshops. I think that would be a great idea, though I think any workshop we have should be on some theme, however broadly defined. I would consider the meeting before this last one to be a workshop, with the theme being the Raspberry Pi. A lot of us have RPis, and we could easily have another Pi night. I'm hoping that by the time we do, someone will have an Rpi4 to show off! Other possible themes: a desktop environment bake-off; an installation night; favourite media software; most useful Android apps on phones and tablets; ways to backup and restore disks or partitions, etc., etc.

[buster]

Thanks for everything Brian, and thanks to the Three Amigos for stepping up and taking over.     

One meeting could be in the next room on a table, and everyone could bring their laptop and show what they have that they like, either an app, a desktop, or a virtual install. And we could ask 'penetrating' questions and I'm sure good discussions would develop.

Avoids the presentation style that some may not wish to do. AND we could eat and drink coffee at the same time. Would be a good introduction for friends of members because of the informality.

[Jason]

That's a good idea, Buster. More laid back and everyone can contribute, even those that are shy to stand in front of the group. For coffee, I would suggest that somebody bring a coffee maker so it can stay warm during the meeting. Perhaps Bill has one.