69 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
69 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: What are User Groups?
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path: what-are-user-groups
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menu: What are User Groups?
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---
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What are User Groups?
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=============================================
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What are user groups?
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---------------------
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In many places, people running clouds or building apps on them get together in
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person to discuss OpenStack, share knowledge and experiences (sometimes with
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the developers who build OpenStack too!). User Groups are little pockets of
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our global community, where you can go to learn and meet people in an informal
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setting.
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What happens at a user group meeting?
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-------------------------------------
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Every user group is different. Many have a strong social element, so there
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might be food and drink. Someone might give a presentation. It's best to
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carefully check the agenda so you can make the most of your time.
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How are user groups organised?
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------------------------------
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Normally a passionate person finds a couple of friends and decides they
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would like to make a group, who will be the first organisers. They try to
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find other people nearby to join and help schedule the meetings and content.
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Over time, more volunteers should emerge to help share the burden. The
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organisers are donating their time to the cause, so support them if you can!
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You can read more on organising a meetup
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[here](https://groups.openstack.org/content/organizer-tips).
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Why are groups important?
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-------------------------
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Aside from the reasons mentioned above, user groups are essential for the
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OpenStack project as they spread awareness and knowledge, recruit developers,
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encourage and users to provide feedback and more.
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Will vendors try to sell me things at a user group?
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----------------------------------------------------
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User groups must be non-commercial, though they may accept sponsorship to
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cover costs. For example, in order to justify providing money to book a venue,
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a sponsor may be given an opportunity to do a short pitch by the organiser,
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but it should not be the main focus of the meeting. You may also see sponsor
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logos on the meeting website or on signage, however no-one should be
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pressuring you to buy anything at a user group. The OpenStack Foundation
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also mandates other restrictions such as not allowing the use of your
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registration details for marketing - more can be found at the
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[Event Policy](https://www.openstack.org/brand/event-policy/) .
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What is the OpenStack Foundation?
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---------------------------------
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The OpenStack Foundation is the non-profit, neutral organisation that exists
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to protect, empower and promote OpenStack and its community. User groups don't
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have a direct relation with the OpenStack Foundation, but since they use the
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OpenStack name and logo, the Foundation works to ensure they meet certain
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requirements.
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What happens if something goes wrong at a user group?
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-----------------------------------------------------
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Activities at OpenStack user groups must comply with the [OpenStack Community
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Code of Conduct](https://groups.openstack.org/content/openstack-community-code-conduct)
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and other policies. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, do take action.
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There are contact details for Foundation staff in the policy if needed.
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