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Professional Associations and User Groups Provide Information and Contacts
by Leona M. Seufert Past President and current Webmistress Association for Women in Computing, New York City Chapter When it comes to technology help, professional societies, associations and user groups can serve as valuable resources. Whether you’re looking for answers to technical questions, potential employees, consultants, volunteers with particular skill sets, or low-cost training, these are groups where you can find help. Professional organizations exist for almost every area of computer technology. From programmers to Web developers to graphic artists, you'll find groups that meet and network on a regular basis. All of them welcome non-members and many of their members enjoy sharing knowledge freely with others. Finding Groups that Fit Your Needs Some groups are very narrowly focused; others include members with a broad array of skills. Start by asking people in your organization whether they’re members of professional groups. Another good place to look is in the Encyclopedia of Associations, published by Gale Research; every public library has one. User Group Locator The Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG) maintains a User Group Locator. By telephone at (914) 876-6678, you can find user groups throughout the USA by area code, state, or zip code, and outside the USA, as well as information about APCUG. On the Web at www.apcug.org, under the User Groups heading in the left margin, select UG Directory, and then select country or state. User groups are membership organizations; some you join as an individual, some as an organization. They’re generally nonprofit and volunteer-run, which is not the same as hiring vendors or consultants and paying for their services. Most groups’ offerings include meetings, presentations, demos, educational newsletters and Web sites, extremely low-cost training classes, free passes for conferences and expos, and discounts on hardware, software, and services such as Internet access. Making Your Networking Productive Research the groups before attending; read their brochures and Web sites. Attend meetings, mingle, and ask questions. You get to know people in an informal setting and can pre-screen potential vendors, consultants, employees and volunteers. Establish relationships. Members like to help those who attend and participate. Let them get to know, trust and care about you and your organization. Members can often vouch for the skills of others and they’re generally willing to answer technology questions if they think you’ll put their help to good use. Setting Relationship Goals If your organization has a continuing need for what a particular group offers, join and become an active part of the group. Get to know the group’s leaders even if you don’t intend to be actively involved on the board; they usually have knowledge about and connections with members and others who can help you. Decide what your organization can offer the group. Space, jobs, internships, sponsorship of events -- all these and more are valid contributions and will make your organization more significant to the group and attractive for members to help. If you develop and nurture relationships with a group, members will help your organization solve problems, find the right training, and expand your knowledge and use of technology. Many groups will help with public service projects. Leona M. Seufert is President of Star Quest - The Communication Architects. Reach her by e-mail at star_quest@compuserve.com.
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