REPORT AND MINUTES OF OPCUG SITUATION ANALYSIS MEETING HELD: May 27th 1997 AT: 141 Catherine Street, Ottawa FACILITATOR: Richard Bazinet of HBGO Consultants 837-5939 rbazinet@sympatico.ca http://www3.sympatico.ca/rbazinet PRESENT: Richard Bazinet Facilitator Bob Cross OPCUG BOD Bob Walker OPCUG BOD Chris Taylor OPCUG BOD/Windows SIG Coordinator/BBS SYSOP Bert Schopf DTP SIG Coordinator David Reeves OPCUG BOD Mark Cayer OPCUG BOD Chris Seal OPCUG BOD/Newsletter Editor Duncan Petrie Beginners SIG Coordinator Jean Stalker (for David Reeves) Internet SIG Coordinator John Ladds (for Larry Chop) Paradox SIG Coordinator Jocelyn Doire OS/2 SIG Coordinator ABSENT: Harald Freise OPCUG BOD Bill Van Dijk OPCUG BOD Daniel Pigeon OPCUG BOD Bob Thomas Fox SIG Coordinator THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:50 pm - Bob Cross thanked everyone for attending and introduced Richard Bazinet, facilitator. - All other persons present introduced themselves. - Richard outlined the purpose and structure of the meeting. It was explained that the process will ultimately result in a position paper being put forth with everyone present in agreement with its content. It was also stated that the OPCUG Executive must be committed to the findings and the implementation of actions recommended within this paper. - Richard explained that the meeting would be divided into three sections: 1. Determine the "Situation", Where is OPCUG now? 2. Agree on the most important "Situations" 3. Establish "Targets" to deal with items in #2 Part 1: SITUATION Where are we (OPCUG) now? Quantity & Quality. - membership decline = 50 % - number & quality of presenters - don't survey previous members, why did you not renew? - membership retention - size of club, # of members - moved location of venue - vendors choice/size of group. Vendors not as interested in presenting as before - other competitive factors such as the internet and other user groups - membership fee: - perception problem - positioning - no email capability (to general membership) - excellent newsletter - financial postion including 5 year forecast OK - members needs not met - marketing appeal challenged - members can't get their questions answered at general meetings - identification of specialists/helpers - change in PC's ease of use - quality of help "users helping users" - we don't know what our membership profile is - how to attract new people? - people don't know about us - no promotion from the computer stores - building awareness is problematic - general meetings/SIGS are open to the public - we don't encourage paid advertising in newsletter - vendor neutrality - message capabilities (email/webpage) and general communication under par - file library upkeep excessive because files become outdated so fast - PUB gives fast download and easy access - no directory of members' skills and services (computer and non-computer related) - reasons to join OPCUG: - inexpensive - newsletter - download capabilities - no internet traffic - free monthly presentations - networking opportunities - "real" people at meetings Part 2: WHAT DO WE AGREE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE ABOVE SITUATIONS? 1. lack of value in joining OPCUG if you have internet access 2. lack of communication capabilities (message exchange) 3. financial stability OK 4. members can't get questions answered 5. we don't know why people join or leave 6. public generally not aware of OPCUG's existance 7. fulfillment of mission staement needs improvement 8. short on personal networking opportunities 9. lack of interest from general membership It was agreed that we would convene a second meeting at the same location (141 Catherine St.) in order to conclude and complete "Part 3". DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 3rd 1997 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Association Offices 141 Catherine St., Ottawa *** All those present on May 27th (and those absent) are invited to attend *** MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:10 pm Minutes prepared by: Bob Cross cross@fox.nstn.ca 595-1002 (evenings)