It's no wonder that thousands of PC and Mac user groups have sprung up all over the country. People everywhere are realizing the value of sharing computer know-how. By pooling our knowledge, we can speed up the learning process in our pursuit to master the realm of electronic information and entertainment. The bigger the pool of knowledge we have available, the easier it is to find what we're looking for.

Computer user groups provide a valuable and economical resource for learning and sharing information about computers. At the very least, they provide an opportunity to get together with other computer users and ask questions and exchange tips and ideas. Some groups publish newsletters that help disseminate information of general interest and keep members informed of events and activities; others maintain Web sites listing local information and reference points for members and visitors from the Internet community. There are groups that invite guest speakers to give presentations at the meetings; some groups offer classes to their members; some form smaller special interest groups that meet and have in-depth discussions on one aspect of computing.

In addition to the many services a user group offers its members, records need to be compiled and kept updated (a membership list, e-mail addresses, dues, how much money is brought in, what bills need to be paid). Some groups have hardware that needs maintaining and servicing. Special events and parties are sometimes organized. Generally, the bigger the group is, the more activities it offers and the more work it takes to run it.

All of these wonderful services offered by user groups depend on volunteers. It takes people to plan, organize and "emcee" the meetings; keep records of membership and finances; suggest and write articles for the newsletters; take the newsletter to the printer; label, stamp and mail the newsletters; create and update the Web site; organize, advertise and teach classes; send articles to the local newspapers to notify people of events; create and hand out fliers about meetings and events; organize special interest groups and meetings; organize parties and picnics; and think up new ways to maintain growth and interest.

You are fortunate to have a computer user group in your community; you are also fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to its success. By donating a couple of hours of your time each month, you will help build and maintain a user group that benefits not only you but also your entire community. And many of the jobs that hold a user group together and make it hum don't even require computer skills.

The secretary and treasurer can be trained with some basic instructions in MS Works and Quicken, which make record keeping and bookkeeping simpler. However, computer skills are not necessary to set up chairs, take roll or make name tags at the meetings.

Those who know the least about computers are in the best position to suggest ideas for meeting topics or newsletter articles. It doesn't take a computer genius to plan meetings and find speakers. Organizing classes, advertising them and finding someone to teach them can be done by people who know nothing about computers. Computer experience isn't necessary to stand up in front of a meeting and make announcements or present the guest speaker (just a good loud voice, a few notes and a little enthusiasm will get anyone through it).

Putting together a newsletter is probably the most time-consuming job in a user group, but the toughest part of that job is coming up with ideas and articles. As the editor for The F1 Key, the newsletter of the F1 Computer Users' Club, in Shell Knob, MO, I am thrilled when members e-mail me tips, shortcuts, useful Web sites, ideas and questions. I don't always have the answers to the questions, but I can usually track down someone who does. And I enjoy taking other's tips and ideas and creating articles out of them. I'm willing to bet that every user group has a wannabe writer in its midst; I happen to be ours.

Once the newsletter is completed, it has to be taken to the printer and then picked up later. Volunteers who help sort, staple, fold, label, and stamp newsletters are always appreciated.

It takes a lot of work and time to run a user group, and the more people who help with the many jobs involved, the better the club can serve the membership as a whole. The better the service to members, the more the membership grows and, eventually, the greater the pool of knowledge from which to learn. You have everything to gain from giving some of your time to your user group. Run for an office, sign up for a committee, offer to help organize events, classes or meetings, send your ideas and questions to the newsletter editor (or better yet, write a paragraph or two). Help out where you can. Get involved. You and everyone in your user group will benefit from what you do.

This article is furnished as a benefit of our membership in the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization to which this user group belongs. The author, Coco Johnston is currently the editor of The F1 Key and has served as secretary/treasurer, vice president and president of the F1 Computer Users' Club in Shell Knob, MO. She is also Webmaster for the F1 Club's Web site: www.mo-net.com/~f1club.

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