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Growing a Chapter
Don't try to do it alone! Here are some tips for getting help running your group.
This is how it's happening in Denton TX. I'm sure other people will have other opportunities and challenges. First I visited other NodeSchools. This helped to see how other people did it. If there isn't a NodeSchool near you, below are some things I noticed that worked:
NodeSchool offers self-paced workshoppers that teach node and web programming. Someone could get alot out of NodeSchool w/o actually ever joining a chapter. Chapters offer opportunities for socializing, help, mentoring, community, or co-working. So anyone visiting your chapter is probably looking to fill one of those needs.
Here's the format we use in Denton, which we stole from Dallas TX.
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The News. Finding the unknown unknown. Bring one thing that's new and cool in node. New Version, new Package, new Tools. It doesn't need to be new to node, just new to you. Ask other people for their news.
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The Speaker. Not always, but sometimes. Project launches, package authors, language features etc. I don't recommend "Intro to Node" as that's not new information. See also "Lighning talks". Keep expectations at short.
- Is there anything you'd like a quick talk on?
- Anyone here know that?
- Do you have something to share or demo?
- Workshopping.
- Announce a "Getting Started Table" (or front of room). This implies consent for mentors to hover.
- Announce a "Quiet Work Table" (or back of room). For people who don't want/need hovering.
- "Buddy up"
- Ask people to pick a buddy (default someone they are sitting next to).
- It's ok to ask your buddy a question.
- It's ok to ask your buddy if they want help.
- Buddies are an opportunity to pair program a workshop and get a sticker.
- As a group, do a <5 min demo on howto do a workshop. Setup do the first lesson in 'javascripting'
- Ask someone to put on some music
- Stickers.
Stickers are too expensive. Internet please fix that. We use the stickers as an "Achievement Badge" for completing a full workshop.
Our vision is to create a space for community around learning and practicing the craft of Node.js programming. That space should be "opt-in" and compatible with parallel play.