How To Start a New Group at PACS

By John Davey

The SIGs (special interest groups) and workshops form the real core of what PACS is all about. It is important that members with particular interests or experience jump in and bring new groups into existence. It is not that difficult, and it can be fun and rewarding. Below are a few suggestions that might encourage you to try.

A SIG or a Workshop?

First and foremost: the leader of a SIG does not have to be the group expert. Sometimes just doing the organizing is the most important part. Bring in the experts by recruiting among PACS members or by contacting outside sources. Ask around for suggestions - someone at PACS will know people who can help you.

Consider if you want to start a SIG or a workshop. There is no real definition of the two, but if you look at the PACS schedule, you will see that a SIG is generally a permanent group while a workshop can be just a series of meetings covering a specific topic.

The Web Design SIG in fact combines both. The first half of each monthly meeting is a presentation on a topic, and the second half is a workshop to learn some aspect of web design. For the past few months, we have been going through the chapters of a book on cascading style sheets. When we finish, we will go on to another workshop topic.

Leading a workshop is a great way to learn a subject, whether at a novice level or more advanced. Get a group of people together essentially to learn from each other. The group can have the goal of studying for a certification or simply learning a new skill. The Web Design SIG's workshop leader learned cascading style sheets as he was teaching the subject, basically reading up on the subject in advance of the meetings in synch with the members.

Whichever type of group you decide to start, advise the PACS SIG coordinator to be certain that there is not someone else with the same plans. The coordinator will work with you to set up a time and a room for your group's meetings.

Advance Planning

To get a running start, announce your plans a least one meeting in advance, and get people to sign up on an e-mail list. Post some signs around the school, leave a sign-up sheet at the membership desk, and pass around a sheet at any of the SIG meetings that you attend. This way, you can gauge whether there is interest in your group as well as generate some advance buzz.

The next step is to get a page up on the PACS web site. Every SIG and workshop MUST have a web page. Doing one in advance will generate attendance at your first meeting. There are two ways to do your page:

If you have the ability to create a page, contact the PACS webmaster. He will set up a protected area at the PACS web host and give you access to it. You can make your page(s) have the same look as the rest of the PACS site or you can make it look any way you want. The webmaster will give you the URL and he will put a link to it on groups page of the PACS site.

If you do not feel comfortable creating the site for your group, PACS can make and host a single page site for you. Just send a text file to the PACS web manager explaining the workshop or SIG. He will make a generic single-page site and post it.

Projectors are available on a limited basis. Ask the SIG manager to see what equipment might be free during your time slot.

At your meeting, be sure to pass around a sign-in sheet so that you will be able to maintain your e-mail list. There is a template attendance sheet available - ask the SIG coordinator.

Some Other Suggestions

  • Have a plan at least for your first couple of meetings - don't just ask people what they want to do. Get people involved and see where their interests lie for future meetings.
  • Your e-mail list is the most important tool in maintaining an active membership base. Don't spam your members, but send at least one message each month telling them what is scheduled for the next meeting. Remember - if someone wants off your list, immediately honor that wish.
  • It is essential that you keep your web page updated. Add meeting reports and resource links, and post reviews. If PACS is hosting your site, send the web manager any additions, corrections, or new information. Again, just send a simple text file.
  • Get vendor support - many publishers are glad to send review copies of books, but they do expect that in return you will post reviews on your web site. O'Reilly and others have helped us at the Web Design SIG.
  • If you are conducting a workshop, consider adopting a standard text for the group to use. You can then follow the text, doing a chapter or two per meeting.

Resources that might help you (pages load in new browser windows):

John Davey is Co-Leader of the PACS Web Design SIG