What's next for Milwaukee Bogleheads?
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LeeMKE
Jan 15, 2015, 9:33:30 AM1/15/15
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Bob and I had a meeting to do a post mortem on our last meeting.
We came to some conclusions and I want to share them with the current members of our group to see what you think.
1) The purpose of the Milwaukee Bogleheads is to have an opportunity to share, face to face, in a safe and confidential group, what we question, how we are managing, and why we are following the Boglehead way.
When markets get roiled, we need a place to get feedback, especially when we wonder how/whether we should stay the course.
In my own investing history, mistakes were made when I didn't have a place to go to talk over the situation with other similar minded individuals. "Stay the Course" would not be a rule among Bogleheads if it wasn't a problem for everyone.
In many of our cases, we are responsible for investing on others' behalf, and they may not be interested or studied, so they aren't a sounding board for us, especially when markets get rough.
The focus for our group should be face to face relationships.
2) The Idea of sponsoring virtual presentations is more of a nuisance than it may be worth.
Bad weather was my motivation to have presentations available virtually, but it leaves out the opportunity for the virtual attendee to participate in the discussion which is the most valuable part of the meeting.
Outside presenters was another reason to develop the capability for virtual presentations, but it looks like we would have, at most, one outside presenter each year. We can accommodate that by holding the meeting in a suitable place on those rare occasions.
The goal of nurturing conversation and exchange of ideas is best served by a comfortable place and good food. We find that that's not the ideal place for a virtual presentation (because of background noise, bandwidth constraints and equipment). If we have to choose, we think we should favor the former over the later. (see 1)
3) We need to better capitalize on the current popularity of index investing and spend our time on outreach to potential members. We'd like to get a regular core of 10, with up to another 10 who are occasional participants.
To do this, Laura can focus on getting the word out. Between now and the March 3 meeting, we'll try to publicize the next meeting online, and welcome any suggestions of places to publicize our group locally.
ACTION NEEDED: If you notice a story in one of the local papers that talks about personal investing, and can forward the name of the reporter and their publication to Laura, she can take it from there to get in touch with them. Other ideas? Send them along!
4) Education is our second goal for the group. Having the complicated ideas presented is very helpful, and a good conversation starter. We'll continue having a presentation at each meeting. The presentations will be posted online, because that part of the technology is working well, and allows everyone to download, print out, or review the presentations later. Slideshare is also turning out to be a great place to attract viewers. We get more hits and downloads from the posted slide shows, than any other media.
5) Door prizes will continue.
Everyone likes to win something, and Laura has a collection of gifts that will see us through the rest of 2015 without problem.
6) Bollywood Grill is working out pretty well.
Bob and Laura like the food there. Does anyone else have an opinion about the food?
The last meeting we got to use the backroom, and with the television turned off, it seemed ideal.
We scouted a different place, but frankly, it just wouldn't work well at all. We are open to ideas of other places if anyone has ideas!
ACTION NEEDED : Please comment on what you thought of the meeting (last one or any) and what would it take to keep you coming back. You are also welcome to send a private message to the group leaders, which ends up in Laura and Bob's mailboxes.
Thanks everyone!
Laura Ricci AKA LeeMKE
Bob Schramm AKA tosaBob
We came to some conclusions and I want to share them with the current members of our group to see what you think.
1) The purpose of the Milwaukee Bogleheads is to have an opportunity to share, face to face, in a safe and confidential group, what we question, how we are managing, and why we are following the Boglehead way.
When markets get roiled, we need a place to get feedback, especially when we wonder how/whether we should stay the course.
In my own investing history, mistakes were made when I didn't have a place to go to talk over the situation with other similar minded individuals. "Stay the Course" would not be a rule among Bogleheads if it wasn't a problem for everyone.
In many of our cases, we are responsible for investing on others' behalf, and they may not be interested or studied, so they aren't a sounding board for us, especially when markets get rough.
The focus for our group should be face to face relationships.
2) The Idea of sponsoring virtual presentations is more of a nuisance than it may be worth.
Bad weather was my motivation to have presentations available virtually, but it leaves out the opportunity for the virtual attendee to participate in the discussion which is the most valuable part of the meeting.
Outside presenters was another reason to develop the capability for virtual presentations, but it looks like we would have, at most, one outside presenter each year. We can accommodate that by holding the meeting in a suitable place on those rare occasions.
The goal of nurturing conversation and exchange of ideas is best served by a comfortable place and good food. We find that that's not the ideal place for a virtual presentation (because of background noise, bandwidth constraints and equipment). If we have to choose, we think we should favor the former over the later. (see 1)
3) We need to better capitalize on the current popularity of index investing and spend our time on outreach to potential members. We'd like to get a regular core of 10, with up to another 10 who are occasional participants.
To do this, Laura can focus on getting the word out. Between now and the March 3 meeting, we'll try to publicize the next meeting online, and welcome any suggestions of places to publicize our group locally.
ACTION NEEDED: If you notice a story in one of the local papers that talks about personal investing, and can forward the name of the reporter and their publication to Laura, she can take it from there to get in touch with them. Other ideas? Send them along!
4) Education is our second goal for the group. Having the complicated ideas presented is very helpful, and a good conversation starter. We'll continue having a presentation at each meeting. The presentations will be posted online, because that part of the technology is working well, and allows everyone to download, print out, or review the presentations later. Slideshare is also turning out to be a great place to attract viewers. We get more hits and downloads from the posted slide shows, than any other media.
5) Door prizes will continue.
Everyone likes to win something, and Laura has a collection of gifts that will see us through the rest of 2015 without problem.
6) Bollywood Grill is working out pretty well.
Bob and Laura like the food there. Does anyone else have an opinion about the food?
The last meeting we got to use the backroom, and with the television turned off, it seemed ideal.
We scouted a different place, but frankly, it just wouldn't work well at all. We are open to ideas of other places if anyone has ideas!
ACTION NEEDED : Please comment on what you thought of the meeting (last one or any) and what would it take to keep you coming back. You are also welcome to send a private message to the group leaders, which ends up in Laura and Bob's mailboxes.
Thanks everyone!
Laura Ricci AKA LeeMKE
Bob Schramm AKA tosaBob
Jerry
Jan 16, 2015, 1:55:56 PM1/16/15
to milwaukee-...@googlegroups.com
Laura/Bob
I enjoyed the last meeting of the Milwaukee Bogleheads. I believe the goals of capitalizing on index investing and investment education are right on target for our group. Having face-to-face meetings allow for critically discussion and follow-up questions which we don't get while reading an article or book.
Jerry Jordan
Jan 16, 2015, 1:59:34 PM1/16/15
to milwaukee-...@googlegroups.com
That is critical!!!
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