APCUG Association of Personal Computer User Groups GETTING TO KNOW APCUG

The Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG) is an international, platform-independent, volunteer-run nonprofit body dedicated to helping member computer user groups succeed.

APCUG HISTORY COMDEX First Annual User Group Summit meeting (Boston Computer Society, Capital PC User Group, and Houston Area League of PC Users). Seattle October 1987 – Representatives from 15 UGs met and proposed formation of the association.

APCUG HISTORY (con’t) COMDEX 1987 – Proposal for forming an association for the purpose of fostering communication among & between UGs presented to 130 representatives from 50 UGs at the Second Annual User Group Summit. Meeting, and was unanimously approved.

APCUG MISSION STATEMENT To facilitate communication among computer user groups, the community, and the technology industry.

APCUG GOALS  Communication – Encourage and enable the exchange of information among computer user groups.  Promotion – Increase the visibility of computer user groups and their value to the community and the technology industry.

APCUG GOALS (con’t)  Education – Educate user group leadership in successful management techniques.  Community Service – Assist user groups in the fulfillment of their community service mission.

APCUG

COMMUNICATION

APCUG NOOZ  Monthly sent to selected officers by regional advisors to all their active APCUG groups  APCUG & regional news, fund- raising ideas, program ideas, etc.

APCUG Reports News Magazine  Sent to selected officers quarterly  Contains -APCUG, Regional, and Vendor news; What works for UGs; Help for Your UG articles; and benefit & contact info

APCUG UG Directory  With over 300 member groups, there are probably a number of groups within a 250 mile radius of your group. Look them up in the Directory – get in touch, share presenters, help each other, cross- advertise! Everyone benefits.

APCUG FREE Web Services  Web Board – hold your BOD meetings on line – have your tech guru answer member questions – exchange SIG info on line

APCUG FREE Web Services (cont’d)  Web page hosting  Mailing Lists  News Reader interface  Chat room access for all conferences

APCUG PROMOTION

APCUG Conferences  Annual Conference, currently held in conjunction with CES  Regional Conferences California – Florida – Northwest ….. more locations in the future

APCUG Conferences (con’t)  APCUG offers assistance in setting up new regional conferences to meet the needs of user groups throughout the United States.  Contact your Advisor for information.

APCUG Attract Vendors for Presentations  Being part of APCUG gives your UG an inside track to hosting vendor presentations.

APCUG UG Directory  Vendors use the UG Directory to find groups that meet on consecutive days = more bang for their buck.

APCUG EDUCATION

APCUG Conferences  User Group leaders / members interact with user groupies from their region and/or around the world to exchange ideas.

APCUG How Tos (  By-laws  Setting up a budget  Articles of Incorporation

APCUG Help For Your User Group (apcug.net)  Over 50 articles -- including info for program chairs, growing your UG, newsletter & PR guidelines – compiled from various conferences, etc.

APCUG COMMUNITY SERVICE

APCUG Jerry Awards – User groups helping the community  APCUG’s way to recognize groups that are involved in community service projects

APCUG OTHER BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

APCUG BONUS Newsletter Articles  Several articles sent each month to APCUG editors  Articles written by UG members, professionals & occasionally vendors

APCUG UG Discounts – Review Software – Raffle Items  Free and discounted offers from vendors --- available ONLY for APCUG member groups  Review software – available ONLY for APCUG member groups  Raffle items – available ONLY for APCUG members groups

APCUG Presentations-in-a-Box  A great alternative when groups are unable to have a vendor presentation  Product, PowerPoint presentation, script, door prizes, and more to make it easy for a member to give the presentation

APCUG Welcome to APCUG CD-ROM  Getting to Know APCUG PIAB, instructions on logging into the APCUG database, APCUG logos, and much more.

APCUG Growing Your Membership Tool-kit CD-ROM  Packed with ideas for growing your membership, membership contest ideas, sample brochures

APCUG Solutions to Your Problems  APCUG is here to help. BOD members and Advisors – current or former UG officers – are just an away.  Contact: Gabe Goldberg, Region 2 Advisor,