How do you start a new IxDA local chapter?

30 Sep 2010 - 4:40pm
2 years ago
5 replies
685 reads
Arti
2010

Hi everyone,

I recently sent message via the "contact us" feature of the ixda.org website but never received a response.

I'm interested in starting a local chapter of IxDA in Kansas City, MO and have no idea how to go about doing that.

Can someone tell me the necessary steps and resources or tell me where to find them?

Thanks,

Arti

Comments

30 Sep 2010 - 8:05pm
Maria Cordell
2010

It's quite easy, really. Just start meeting as an IxDA local group, and at the same time contact IxDA to get set up with a local page on http://www.ixda.org/local/directory. The contact page is http://www.ixda.org/about/contact.

Though I'm now in San Francisco, I started IxDA Atlanta in early 2009 simply by calling for a meeting via the IxDA discussion board. Our first meeting was mostly a social/networking event, but we spent about one third of the time talking about our objectives and getting input on what people wanted the Atlanta local group to be. You can easily do the same to gauge interest and bring a few folks together.

I assume you probably already know some people in Kansas City who are also interested in an IxDA local group. Partner up with two or three others to get things started and to begin thinking about how you'd like to shape the group for the needs of your local community. What you do, how you shape it, and how often you meet, is pretty much up to you.

Hope that helps!

Maria
IxDA Atlanta
IxDA San Francisco

30 Sep 2010 - 8:32pm
Maria Cordell
2010

Arti,

I realized *after* I sent that that you'd already sent a note via the Contact page, so you've already taken that step. How long ago did you send it? All the admins are volunteers, so it may be a few days before you get a response.

In any case the rest of what I mentioned still applies. You can get started without having a "formal" connection, and there's no start-up kit, or a charter, or anything like that. I just happened to find this response to questions I was asking before starting IxDA Atlanta, and this is an excerpt of an aswer I got back from Kevin Silver:

"...local groups do not have to create charters. We want to keep the barrier for entry low, just like membership. You say you are a local group when you raise your hand to start one."

It's still pretty much like that. :) Starting a group should be easy, and it is!

Maria

1 Oct 2010 - 4:26am
Yohan Creemers
2008

Hi Arti,

In addition to Maria's excellent response:
There also exists a fancy 'Local Group Application' form, which can be found at http://www.ixda.org/starting-a-local-group

Best regards,

Yohan

1 Oct 2010 - 9:05am
Arti
2010

Thanks everyone,

That was *very* helpful!  Maria, I sent the message to IxDA via the contact feature a little over a week ago.  In the meantime, I'll go ahead and reach out to others in the community and fill out the fancy form that Yohan sent along

Wish me luck!

Thanks again!

Arti

4 Oct 2010 - 8:10pm
Maria Cordell
2010

Great, Arti! Good luck with getting the Kansas City local group started! You'll do great, I'm sure.

Maria

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