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ASP Alert
Interested in hearing about survey projects, Web awards, new ASP
reports, and chapter events? Join our special ASP Alert
e-mail list.
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www.ASPonline.com >
Chapters
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ASP Chapters
The ASP sponsors a small network of chapters, which generally meet
every other month to discuss support-related topics. These chapters
are organized and run entirely by volunteers, who are free to develop
their own programs and local policies (including decisions about
charging local dues and fees for attending meetings). If you'd like
to be notified of chapter meetings in your area, sign up for the ASP Alert e-mail list.
There's nothing like face-to-face discussions with fellow support
professionals, and that's why the ASP encourages the formation
of local chapters. But a successful chapter needs a critical mass of
attendees, which is why most of our chapter activity takes place in
technology centers like Silicon Valley, Boston, Denver and Dallas/Ft.
Worth.
Still, we hear from a number of members who want to get involved with
new chapters, so we've put together a few guidelines:
1. Test the waters. Pick a time and place for an
introductory meeting and just go ahead and announce it. The ASP will
provide the materials you need for contacting members in your area.
If enough people show up and want to get involved, go ahead with a
second date. If only a few people attend--well, either the market has
spoken, or you might need to refine your approach.
2. Let everyone talk. It's always tempting to recruit
a big-name speaker, but our most successful meetings are roundtable events
where everyone can discuss the topic of the day. Even five or six people
can have a great informal discussion of a common problem.
3. Add to your invitation list. Don't limit yourself
by only publicizing meetings to a small "friends and family" contact
list. Recruit fresh faces by continually adding to your list (again,
ASP headquarters can help). Remind invited guests that they can bring
other people, too.
4. Post chapter news. We'll set up and update a
chapter Web page to promote your chapter with meeting information,
minutes, directions, or anything else you've got to say. Contact the membership director for details.
5. Open meetings to non-members. We'd like everyone to
join our organization, but we don't feel it's necessary to restrict
meetings to ASP members only. Invite everyone—if they have a good time,
they'll eventually join.
6. Consider collecting local dues. Once you're sure
that the chapter has momentum, you might consider asking for modest
chapter dues to help underwrite your activities. (We recommend $25/year
for at least four meetings.) When you reach this point, contact us for
more information.
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