ztellman blogging on meetup styles

[Tom Coupland]

http://blog.factual.com/clojure-office-hours

A very interesting idea I'd say!

[Ulises]

Indeed.

I've been hosting office hours (remote) for a while now. I've had a few sessions and the format has proved to be actually very good.

For whomever might be interested in coming to have a chat (and pair program, etc.): https://ucb.youcanbook.me/

On 22 May 2014 08:11, Tom Coupland <tcou...@gmail.com> wrote:

http://blog.factual.com/clojure-office-hours

A very interesting idea I'd say!

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[Matt Thompson]

This is a really good idea, I think Richard mentioned that the London Dojo do something similar(ish).

Let’s adopt this format for the next meetup. Do we still want to go with a theme for each meeting, or make it more relaxed?

[Richard East]

Wow - great post. The London Dojo was similar, though everyone worked
on a project that was agreed by consensus on the night. They worked in
small mixed ability groups and there was time at the end for show and
tell.

I like the Office Hours format from the blog and think we should give
it a go for the next Dojo. I don’t think we need to be more specific.

I’d like to invite Brisfunctional to join too. It seems the kind of
format that doesn’t need to be just Clojure.

[Ulises]

Out of curiosity, when's the next meetup? I'm going to be in Bristol the first week of June and I'd love to come.

U

[Tom Coupland]

First week of june might be too early, last one was only this week. Thinking more like tuesday the 24th or the 10th if we want to do it earlier.

From what Mark said about earlier this week (sorry i couldn't make it, but bathroom decorating waits for no man), we could do with making abit more noise. This format sounds like it could be good for bringing people from the first one back again. Make it unfocused, but a sort of 'ask any questions' kind of session. Would need to gather a few 'answerers' mind.

[Matt Thompson]

24th sounds good to me.

How can we promote it? I can send some tweets and message people on meetup, but what else can we do?

[Richard East]

24th might not be possible for me. I’ll be able to confirm later in the week.

I’m not sure what else we could do to promote the group, but I’m
convinced if we persevere we will build an active local community.

[Matt Thompson]

Richard, any idea on whether you can make the 24th? I need to put something on meetup.com soon.

2014年6月8日日曜日 20時45分21秒 UTC+1 Richard:

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[Richard East]

Hi -- I'm sorry I've not got back. I'm still waiting on an answer. I
think you should go ahead with 24th. I want to come and hopefully I
will be able to come.

Richard

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[Matt Thompson]

I've set up the meetup event, sorry about leaving it so late. Hopefully we'll still get a reasonable turnout.

Tom, are you definitely free on Tuesday 24th to help out?

Matt

[Tom Coupland]

I'm not totally sure, to be honest i'd prefer if we double checked with each other before making dates public. This date was still a point of discussion to my mind. Calling it this close i feel we are in danger of another low turn out due to not having enough time to stir up interest, work out exactly what we are going to do and allowing people time to arrange their schedules.

Personally I'm down on Dartmoor this weekend for a fell race, which is going to be exhausting, then on Wednesday morning i'm off to Poland for EuroClojure. So i'm not super keen for a late night, which is what these are for me.

In all seriousness i think we need to have a chat about what we want to achieve and how best to go about doing that. There were so many people at the first meeting, but i feel we've practically lost them all and if we want them back then we need to provide a good reason for them to return.

Did you guys read this the other day:

http://skillsmatterblog.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/guest-post-meet-the-london-clojurians/

I think the clear lesson is that the Clojurians scaled up slowly. Moving from quarterly meetings to bi-monthly to month as the community grew. I don't think shooting straight for where they are now can work for us, the ground work needs to be put in first.

So, what can I say... I think we should probably cancel this date and arrange something further out. Something that will get those people back so we can form the community, which is what we're after right?

I think the Open Space/Office Hours is something that has the potential to do that, but it needs planning. We need to get some people willing to be question answerers. We need to have it set a few weeks out, so we can get hold of those early people and start them thinking about what they'd like to ask and so the answerers can arrange their schedules. Being further away with a clear subject would let people invite others from their organisations (i know you have a few interested people in yours Rich).

I think we should drop the idea of monthly and take it a bit easier to, this should also have the effected of making the nights more interesting just by their rarity. We need people to be 'demanding' monthly meetings, before we give them.

Sorry for the brain dump, but just a bit worried we're not making the most of the opportunity that was present at that first meeting. Plus i'm already tired after racing this last weekend :)

What do you think? I know a public take down of a date is bad, but ask yourself if it's worse that not giving a good night in the long run?

Tom

[Matt Thompson]

Tom, I agree with everything you've said. I've been very careless in dithering over setting a date, and then not making absolutely sure that it was OK with you and the guys at Microsoft. I also did this last time, and I apologise. You guys have been the perfect hosts and venue - I need to be more respectful.

It is a shame that we've lost momentum since the great first meeting, but I'm still really keen for us to get something successful going. Like Tom said, starting slowly, planning better and reaching out to more people would be a good idea.

I'll take the meetup down now with an apology. When you're back from EuroClojure, we should get together in a pub and really plan this thing out.

Have a great in Poland, Tom. Fill us in on the talks when you get back!

Thanks (and sorry),

Matt

[Richard East]

Hi,

The Overtone meeting was very small. I’m happy to meet in the pub to
work out how we can build momentum. My enthusiasm is only growing as I
do more Clojure.

Please let us know how you get on at EuroClojure. I hope it’s a great
conference.

I’ve signed up to Clojure Exchange –

https://skillsmatter.com/conferences/1956-clojure-exchange-2014

They’ve still got early bird tickets.

See you soon,

Richard

[Matt Thompson]

Right guys, are any of you free to meet in town this week or next? Tom, how was EuroClojure?

Matt

[Richard East]

Hi,

I'm free any night this week except Friday and any night next week
except Monday and Thursday.

Richard

[Tom Coupland]

EuroClojure was great! Loads to take a way, been pretty knackered this week as a result as had a wedding to rush back for on sat.

Next week, let's say Tuesday then. Is somewhere central good for you guys?

[Matt Thompson]

I've got something on on Tuesday, can we do Wednesday? Does anyone have a recommended central pub? I tend to just go to the Watershed all the time.

[Tom Coupland]

Wednesdays fine with me. Have you been to Small Bar? I've not been to Watershed, but i bet Small Bar is better :)

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[Richard East]

Wednesday's fine with me too. Small Bar's fine too. What time is good?
I'll be coming from Parkway, so it'll be a push to get there by 6.30.

Were the Euroclojure talks filmed? I'd love to see them.

Richard

[Tom Coupland]

Yep all filmed, not up yet, but think they'll be quite quick.

6.30's ok for me, but i can't stay too late as i need to get back for the park and ride. Easily have an hour though, which should do i'd hope :)

[Matt Thompson]

Small Bar. I like the name. 6:30 works for me too. See you guys there!

[Tom Coupland]

Guys, i'm sorry but i've got to cancel.

The weathers looking great so me and girlfriend have decided to go camping at the Gower tomorrow night. As much as i'd like to meetup i think a day on the beach trumps it :)

I can do anything from next tuesday onwards!

[Richard East]

Hi Tom,

I don't blame you! Enjoy the weather while you can. I am free next
Tuesday if you want to rearrange it for then.

Matt, I'm free tomorrow if you still want to meet up at Small Bar.

Richard

[Matt Thompson]

Tom, hope you're having fun! Weather seems to be doing alright, hopefully it'll get sunnier.

Next Tuesday works for me. 6:30 at Small Bar again? Richard, if it's OK with you I'll stay at home this evening. I have a lot of work to catch up on this week...

Matt

[Richard East]

Hi Matt,

No, problem. See you all next week.

All the best,

Richard

[Matt Thompson]

Guys, looks like I have to be in Bath for work until late tomorrow. Can we make it Wednesday instead?

Matt

[Richard East]

I can't Wednesday.
I can Thursday or Friday

[Tom Coupland]

I can do thursday!

Man, getting people together is tough :)

[Matt Thompson]

OK, Thursday, 18:30 it is! We can do it this time!

[Tom Coupland]

Sorry guys, but think i'm going to have to cancel again!

Interesting times and all that. Next week for sure :)

[Richard East]

Okay - no problem, though the only time I'm free next week is Friday night.

[Richard East]

Actually, next Friday's unlikely too. Sorry.

[Tom Coupland]

You know what, i'll put some thoughts together and start another thread :) Start chatting pre get together seems like the way to go!

[Matt Thompson]

I don't blame you for cancelling if it's to do with today's news. Interesting tonnes indeed.  Richard, I'm in town, do you want to meet?

2014/07/17 17:07 Tom Coupland <tcou...@gmail.com>:

[Richard East]

Hi,

I agree – I don't blame you either - I had been off-line all day, so
hadn't seen the news when I replied.

Matt – I'm afraid I'm not in town – sorry – after Tom's message, I'm
back babysitting my children.

Richard