If you have found benefit in belonging to a computer user group, there are many ways of thanking the leaders of the group. Sure, you can always walk up to them after a meeting and shake their hand. But there are more meaningful things you can do, too.
You can thank them by moving the club forward in countless small ways. You can drop off membership flyers at the local computer stores and public libraries. You can offer a smile and encouraging word to people who show up to meetings.
You can answer questions on the club's email list. You can ask questions on the club's email list. (Questions are as valuable as answers.) You can exhibit patience with computer beginners -- answering their questions in ways that benefit them the most.
You can offer some computer item you're no longer using to another member of the club. (If you're giving away commercial software, make sure you delete the copy on your own computer.)
You can also spread the word about the club around town. Be careful not to oversell, though. When I explain about the benefits of the local user group, I spell out honestly what the club can offer and can't offer. You'll do no-one favors by raising false expectations in the minds of prospective club members.
You can write an article for the club's newsletter. Articles can be on almost any topic you think would interest club members. You don't need to be a computer expert to write an excellent article. Computer beginners have lots of important and interesting things to say. "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."
You can talk to your local public librarians about the benefits you've encountered in your user group. Librarians are the intellectual hub of any community. You want them to pass on information to anyone who inquires about computer user groups. You might even give them a video showing one of your user group meetings in action -- so they can better visualize and describe the meetings to other community members.
And now here's some unexpected ways you can thank the leaders of the club. You can show up to the club meeting with an unexpected door prize. Perhaps buy a pair of new computer speakers. Some headphones. A computer microphone. (Note Macs use different microphones than Windows computers. Mac users usually use a USB microphone.)
Stop by a bookstore and buy a copy of a new how-to computer book. Or purchase a modest Amazon.com gift certificate as a door prize.
Offer to be a "club driver" - - so if someone calls the club and says there is a sick child or adult who could use a computer at home, you'll be there to deliver that donated computer on behalf of the club. Bring homemade cookies to club meetings (being careful not to leave crumbs for the next people using that meeting space.)
Offer to be a "computer mover," so that if someone in the club isn't able to move their computer from one room of their house to another, you'll be there to help them do that. Or be the modem rescue person, so if someone's modem got zapped by lightning, you'll be there the next day to connect a replacement modem for them. If they ask you why you did this, tell them that you value them being connected.
You can start a scholarship program for 5 families/year in your community. Interested families could apply to the club to get a donated computer and 1/2 off the annual dues of the club. (For the first year.) By doing so you're building a ramp to club membership, you're helping the community and you're creating new ways for club members to engage in outreach and publicity.
Get creative in how you thank the leaders of your computer club. Many hours of work go into making computer clubs work. Club leaders are not paid a dime. They do it because they get a thrill from seeing people help each other, from community members increasing in their learning and computer confidence.
Surprise them in the ways you say thanks. You may even want to say: "I'm ready to work. I'd like to offer my time to help."
A grateful handshake is a good starting point. A grateful action is an appropriate follow-up. Actions speak louder than words.
Find a need. And then fill it.
The author has benefitted from the generosity of people in computer user groups for the past 20 years. He is reachable at pshapiro@his.com
This article was inspired by the actions of the Macintosh Business Users Society of Greater Philadelphia in starting an award program for students at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia -- where this user group meets. Somebody in that club is thinking outside of the box in excellent ways.
This article may be freely printed in any user group newsletter and used for any nonprofit purpose.
The author of this article is a member of Washington Apple Pi, Capital PC User Group, Virginia Macintosh Users Group, and Young Hackers and Scholars Libre Users Group.