how to build a tech community
TRANSCRIPT
OKC Tech Scene < 2012
Story of OKC Tech Scene
• Before 2012
• Many past user groups inactive/dead
• Almost no tech scene or regular meetups
• Only active, well-supported UG was Java
• RedDirtJS, RedDirtRuby (one-time conferences)
(continued)
• Jesse Harlin and I met at the local co-working space and started OKC.js in January 2012
• Used co-working mailing list to launch & get word out
• 72 (!) people showed up to our first OKC.js meeting
• Built mailing list from there & planned next meetings
• Regular meetings since (2.5 years)
• 50-70+ people each meeting
Planting the Seed
Start a User Group
• Should be group or tech with wide appeal that can bring the community together
• General language or tech type - not too specific
• JavaScript is awesome for this (everyone uses it), but any user group is better than none
• Popular tech stack may very depending on area
• Find a good co-founder (or two!) - don’t go it alone
Find a Great Location
• Local tech (or community-friendly) biz w/event space
• Public library with meeting rooms
• Vo-tech or local community college
• Co-working office or maker space
Plan Your Meetings
• Hardest thing to do on a continuing basis
• Announce meeting information in advance (1 week)
• Find speakers (email invitations work great)
• Lunch vs. After work - be consistent
• OKC.js uses lunch meetings w/free food
• Can be community-driven (lightning talks, town hall)
Build a Mailing List
• Pass around sheets of paper at your UG meetings (at least the first few)
• Put a link to signup on your website
• Use something like MailChimp (free for 2k emails)
• Email meeting announcements & reminders day before
Find a Sponsor
• Allows you to provide free food at meetings - great for getting more people to come
• Local tech startups/co’s are good
• Some recruiters are okay
• Can come from individuals also, esp. when starting
Growing the Community
–Jean Vanier, Community And Growth
“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help
people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work
and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and
perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.”
Goal: Remove Risk and Fear
Secure a Location
• Parter with a meeting space / location / company to be the “community hub”
• May cost $$; look for mutually beneficial partnership
• Should have ability to host multiple user group meetings each month (need flexibility)
Plan to Help Others
• Setup a plan to help other user groups start
• Find space or time that works to meet
• Lots of setup: Website, Mailing list, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
• How to find a sponsor
https://github.com/techlahoma/how-to-usergroups/issues/4
Setting Boundaries
• You need a code of conduct
• https://github.com/techlahoma/CodeofConduct
• Be open to all types of tech-related user groups - not everyone lives and breathes open source
• The community does not belong to you, even if you had a significant role in starting it
–Gene Roddenberry
“If man is to survive, he will have learned to take a delight in the essential differences
between men and between cultures. He will learn that differences in ideas and attitudes are
a delight, part of life's exciting variety, not something to fear.”
Start a Non-Profit
• Consider starting a non-profit to benefit all user groups in the area
• Expands opportunities for support/donations
• Legitimizes your efforts
Techlahoma Foundation• Started the Techlahoma
Foundation in 2014 to support all tech community in Oklahoma
• DOES cost money:
• Incorporation
• Tax Filings
• Logo / Website
Start a Conference
• VERY time-intensive - consider partnering if you can
• Risky to attempt before community is large
• Start with a one-day event with 1-2 tracks
• Start with mostly or only local speakers first
Thunder Plains
• Started in 2013
• 2 tracks, 140 attendees
• Repeated in 2014
• 3 tracks, 275 attendees
• 2015
• Just announced our CFP:
• thunderplainsconf.com
That’s All You Have to Do!Easy, right?
Community Starts With You
Thanks!
OKC.js: http://okcjs.com
Techlahoma Foundation: http://techlahoma.org
Vance Lucas: http://vancelucas.com | Twitter: @vlucas