The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group President’s Annual Report Dave Botherway |
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In October 2002, the management committee devoted a whole day to futures planning; what should our User Group look like in five years time and how do we get there? Very appropriate as we enter the third decade following our inception in 1984.
The last 12 months have seen us progress those plans into a strategic document that has assisted the committee to monitor actions and mile- stones whilst focussing on providing additional benefits to members.
Membership
In contrast to many other PC User Groups, our direction is positive growth and recently we broke through the 11,000 members level. Each new member is allocated a sequential number, with the series initiated 20 years ago; our founder, LLoyd Borrett having membership #1.
Of the early pioneers, about 100 are still members - with notables still playing key roles being #16 John Swale, #31 Felix Hofmann, #157 George Skarbek and #419 Tom Coleman.
This year we had a net growth of about 600, and during the year allocated membership #40,000. This illustrates both the churn in membership over the 20-years and the membership promotion activity needed to maintain our 11,000 plus position. My thanks to all those involved in promoting the group - be it through our various monthly meetings, Swap Meets, publications or word-of-mouth to friends.
Volunteers and Life Membership
There are now some 280 members who regularly contribute in a voluntary capacity to running the Group, and without them we could not survive. I sincerely thank them all for their efforts. We regularly select one as the "Volunteer of the Month", with a special "Volunteer of the Year" each December. Last year, the VOY was
Richard Solly for his work on the Internet Team, and especially for his innovation re e-mail Spam control.
For more lasting recognition, the group awards an Honorary Life Membership. Two very worthy recipients this year were Philip Lew for his long service with the BBS and the Communications Interest Group, and Noel Peters for his long service with the Retirees Group, and the Office and the Management Committee.
Internet Services
A key challenge from the futures planning was Internet broadband; what should we do? While Internet membership continued to climb slowly just above the 6000 mark, a number of "heavy" users were asking about our intentions re faster services. This topic was heavily debated, especially the financial and support aspects - with the decision taken to offer initially ADSL through an agency service using WestNet, rather than our own broadband service.
As members sought to maintain their existing Melb PC e-mail addresses and access, a method was devised providing both technical bridging and administrative policies to handle the dual systems. While WestNet provides all the ADSL support, the support for the links back into Melb PC has been provided by our Internet and iHelp teams and I thank them for the excellent assistance they are providing. This is especially true where our members now seek to share their ADSL connection across multiple PCs on their home networks.
Two problems plaguing the online Internet world are Viruses and Spam and we have added extra functions to the Internet service to combat these two problems. All e-mail is scanned, and it's stopped if found to be carrying known viruses. Suspected spam is marked using the SpamAssassin software. An extra feature enables individual users to customise their own spam control parameters. Research across other ISPs shows that our setup is world class, and with excellent feedback from our users, I thank Richard Solly for his work in this area.
However, the robustness of our service has been a concern - having been hit with air conditioning problems and power outages at Dorcas Street. While our systems have multiple servers and short term battery backup, environmental failure is the issue.
Therefore we looked at alternate special purpose locations and have agreed to use the AAPT co-location facilities in Burnley.
Although rack rental is involved, being closer to trunking facilities, enables our overall costs to be kept lower. Previous cost reductions have enabled us to provide extra services (eg. additional online time, and national access), but we decided this time to pass on some of the reduction to members; the original $140 pa dropping to $120 pa from 1 July.
Office Location
Another key issue from our futures planning was office facilities. Knowing the shortcomings of Dorcas St and its terminating lease, the committee sought input from many members via meetings, surveys and direct feedback. In the 2002 survey, the thrust of the feedback was for us to move away from the city, with preference towards a South East direction. This being confirmed insofar as when monthly meetings were held away from the city in the Clayton or Burwood areas, attendances doubled. In the 2003 survey, we focussed on where in the South East, with the Oakleigh/Camberwell areas being strong preferences. Other key aspects requested were no-charge parking, disabled access and close proximity to public transport.
A separate Building Subcommittee was established, and after a two year search for preferably a purchased site, the overriding parking criteria led us to a leasehold arrangement at the Chadstone Shopping Centre. Work is underway to fit out the area to suit our needs and activities are planned to move there in November.
Having additional space, we are planning new activities to blend in with the Shopping Centre focus (eg. a drop-in centre), to offer better equipment facilities (eg. Home Networking) and an area to attract younger members, usually interested in computer gaming.
To offset our move to the South-East, we have recently initiated a new Interest Group in the Wyndham/Werribee area, have increased equipment investment in the Essendon area and we're looking for further opportunities in the Northern suburbs.
Finances
Details of our 30 June Annual accounts were published in PC Update (hardcopy version only) in September and show another healthy surplus for the year - primarily due to increased participation in Group activities and reduced costs in our Internet communications links.
Some members have expressed concern as to our excess funds. We suggest however, that with once-off charges relating to Internet relocation to AAPT and expanded facilities at Chadstone, these will be worthy usages providing additional member benefits. Interest from the remaining funds can then offset the rental at Chadstone - as appropriate financial management.
PC Update
Our monthly magazine PC Update continues as the backbone of communications to members, and in November last year, we again took the International APCUG award for the best magazine for the category of Large User Groups. My thanks go to our editors and to all contributors for their ongoing efforts.
Interest Groups
There are now 47 different groups and subgroups that meet each month, providing both topic or geographic diversity for members, with Wyndham being the latest addition. For most, the attendances are swelling and that's a tribute to their leaders. With the move to Chadstone, we are looking to expand even further in the more popular areas. My thanks to all the conveners, presenters and organisational support teams for these groups.
Training & Shareware
Training continues to be in demand from members. An ongoing analysis of training needs recently added DVD burners to our Training PCs and Vinyl to DVD has become our most popular course.
The change last year of putting Shareware onto a single CD each month continues to add value to this product and special CDs (such as Knoppix) are in demand when produced.
Swap Meets
There are now at least nine Swap Meets each month, and our dedicated teams man a support table at most of them. Not only does this give us promotional opportunities for potential members, but many of our existing members use our teams for advice or a second opinion on Swap Meet merchandise.
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Office Following the departure of Margaret Greer and Kerry Williams last year, our initial attempts at replacements were unsuccessful until Katie Daly and Karen Stevens joined us mid year. After 11 years with us Trish Swan also decided to resign and left us in July. We thank her for her many years of service. We took the opportunity to redefine that job with more emphasis on Business Manager and as this magazine goes to press I'm pleased to announce that Sharon Reeve has already started in the role. Welcome to the group, Sharon. Throughout all these changes, the additional workload has been carried by our office volunteers, and they all deserve our very special thanks. |
Sharon
Reeve First of all I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome I have received this week. With all the current changes happening within the group it is a very exciting time to come on board and I am looking forward to all the challenges that these changes may present. |
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| My background is in both Accounting and Office Administration and I am extremely pleased that my new job role as Business Manager will encompass a broad spectrum in both of these areas. Prior to accepting the appointment as Business Manager with Melbourne PC User Group Inc. I was employed as Practise Manager/Accountant for a CPA Accounting Firm. In my new role I will be focussing on working together with the Committee of Management and the members of the group, to ensure that both members and visitors to Melb PC can rely on an efficient, friendly and organised office. | |||
Sponsorship
Several companies have supported us through the year with prizes for our monthly
meetings and software for the Interest Groups and training courses. We
especially thank Symantec and Microsoft for their generous support.
Management Committee
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At our AGM each November, we conduct elections for the management committee for
the following 12 months. While most members of the committee offer themselves
for re-election, two departures last year were David King and Denis Olsen being
replaced by Lyn Goodall and John Hall. I thank David and Denis for their
contributions and it has been a pleasure to have Lyn and John adding some fresh
thinking to the committee this year. With all the activity on Internet and office relocation plus the introduction of ADSL it had been an extremely busy year for the committee with a lot still to be done. As such, having myself agreed to stand for a second term as your President, I have invited all of the existing committee to also continue for another year. I trust we have your support to continue the work-in-progress from our Oct-2002 futures planning review. In conclusion, on behalf of the Membership in general, I thank the office staff, the management committee and the hundreds of volunteers who make Melbourne PC User Group such an active and worthwhile group. Without your involvement we would not exist. |
Attendances at our
Monthly Committee Meetings |
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| Attendance at meetings George Skarbek (Chairman to Oct-03) Dave Botherway (Chairman from Nov-03) John Swale Ray Beatty Bill Dair Frank Maher Ash Nallawalla Bill Ford Diana Allen Barry Martin David King (till Oct-03) Denis Olsen (till Oct-03) Lyn Goodall (new Nov-03) John Hall (new Nov-03) |
Meetings Possible 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 4 4 8 8 |
Meetings |
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Reprinted from the November 2004 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
