[SGVLUG] SGVLUG meeting places 2014

[Jess Bermudes]

Thanks for your input, Bill. Your point about keeping clear aisles is an
important one and I'm sure we'll make that a priority in order to ensure
accessibility and general safety.

Perhaps you'll get more productive feedback if you send this message to the
LUG's mailing list? sgvlug at sgvlug.net

I'm not sure if you're already signed up for it or not, but if you are and
are getting your outgoing messages to the list rejected, let us know and
we'll see if there's something we can do.

 - Jess


On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 11:31 PM, Bill Zuke <wzuke at lafn.org> wrote:

> I have been in the habit of going to an Ubuntu Users meeting at 6 p.m.
> immediately before the SGVLUG at 7 p.m.  Here are some of my thoughts.
>
> There are 2 separate parts in the SGVLUG meetings; the presentations,
> and the dinner.  The presentations should have a time slot which is
> uninterrupted by the outside (e.g. restaurant staff, et cetera.) That
> would give the members a time slot to focus solely on ideas and issues
> related to the SGVLUG agenda.  Sharing a meal gives people a chance to
> informally discuss special problems, and to network socially.  Meal time
> can be either before or after the agenda's time slot; as an individual's
> choice.  People who start before the presentation agenda could continue
> to munch as the meeting begins.  Drinks should be 'not a problem;' one
> can sit sideways to set their cup down.
>
> At the restaurant (i.e. Burger C.) tables could be set up to allow an
> aisle for a wheelchair to pass from front to back of the room, and that
> can also be used by a waitress.  Fire marshals also may require such a
> clear exit path.  Members can sit side by side, facing the front; while
> individuals who are not eating or drinking during the presentation can
> turn their back to the table, or sit in a row of chairs without a
> table.
>
> The SGVLUG has been meeting in a classroom auditorium at a scheduled 7-9
> p.m., and afterward going to the restaurant till 10 p.m.  I suggest
> telling the waitress and manager we do not want to be disturbed from
> 7:30-9:00 p.m., unless we tell them we finished early and are ready to
> eat late dinner.  Individuals who want to vary from this, can leave
> the room to place their own order.  This should give us an hour and a
> half for presentation, and be flexible to let our guest speakers run
> overtime if necessary.
>
> It may be well possible to order some dinners at 7 p.m to be served
> later, closer to 9 p.m., and let the restaurant close earlier on a slow
> night.  They like advance notices even by a few hours, so their cook can
> plan the food preparation.  If necessary, we could guarantee the house a
> minimum, to cope with our requirements (e.g. 7:30-9:00 undisturbed) and
> ask the members to either buy something, or chip in a few dollars for
> rent of the room.  We could also perhaps offer suggestions on improving
> their wifi, and offer free OS consulting.
>
> My personal preference is to meet at Burger Continental.  They
> desperately want us as loyal customers.  There may be times when we need
> a larger room, but we can expect to make even more compromises when that
> occurs.  I, however, have previously been sometimes eating lunch there
> before the Ubuntu meeting, and the SGVLUG.
>
> South Pasadena Library is closest to my home.  They have a community
> room, but there is a fee to pay their staff to work after hours and set
> up chairs and audio visuals (SGVLUG volunteers could help with that.)
> Also, they often have other events on Thursday evenings.  Otherwise,
> Thursdays is good for me because they have a nice farmer's market on the
> street there too.  That library does have another meeting room, but it
> is not very big.
>
> I understand the importance of having a consistent date, time, and
> meeting place.  However, that may have to be eventually compromised
> against our wishes.  Although it seems desirable to have a large
> attendance at meetings, it is still important to keep it interesting to
> core loyal members.
>
> I feel it would be prudent to try to keep a good diplomatic relationship
> with Caltech.
>
>
>
>
>
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