UX Organizations: How to start and run a successful local group or chapter

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

Thank you!

Questions?

Kyle [email protected]

Nasir [email protected]