Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 14, 2025 10:48 AM
From: Steve Cast
Subject: Tell Us: What is the best part about joining user groups?
Hi Kathryn,
Where to start.
There are so many great things about being a member of a user group. Especially one that meets face to face like Common UK (i-UG) and Common Europe do.
From a professional perspective, the networking amongst your peers, the opportunity to learn (and teach) new things, to cement your current knowledge, to benefit from the wisdom and experience of others, to share your own ideas, to pass on your best practice tips and tricks ..... I could go on.
From a personal perspective, the chance to meet old friends, and better yet, to make new friends, ranks pretty highly, if not right at the top.
But, you ask the " ... tell us the best part about joining a user group" so I will stick to one topic, which is the ability to meet with your peers face to face and immerse yourself in an ecosystem where you can reaffirm your current understanding and if necessary change your viewpoint to embrace new ideas. That is so hard to do in Teams etc.
In summary, join a user group and see your world in a different light.
Steve
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Steve Cast
Practice Director
Fresche Solutions
Redbourn
01582 794229
Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 08, 2025 02:12 PM
From: Kathryn DuPont
Subject: Tell Us: What is the best part about joining user groups?
IBM user groups are a great way to 'find your people' – other expert and non-expert technologists who have an appetite for the latest technology trends, who are eager to learn from peers, who have important product feedback for product development teams, who are interested in enhancing their professional network and socializing for future collaborative opportunities.
As a user group leader, volunteer, board member, manager (or co-manager), or someone who is doing other administrative duties, tell us the best part about joining a user group. What does it mean to you (personally or professionally)?
And then make sure you register now for the 28 May 2025 public Webinar, IBM User Groups: an opportunity for professional development, technical community building, and product influence. You will meet our IBM User Group Team along with IBM Champions, @Richard Barber and @Steven Wolk, who will share their best practices for running a successful IBM User Group.
Tell us! (please ;))
/kd
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Kathryn DuPont
IBM Rising Champions Program Lead
IBM TechXchange
IBM
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