APCUG Reports
October-December 2006

The APCUG Speakers' Bureau would be a compilation of APCUG associated user group leaders and members who would be willing to be a resource for other user groups, the media, trade associations, community and civic groups, and other organizations that are looking for a speaker on a topic related to computers and computing. APCUG would like to be a clearing house matching up requests from such organizations, and its member groups. For example, if a local TV station or newspaper needed a quote, sound bite, or interview on a contemporary topic, APCUG could be notified, and an appropriate resource could be notified to participate. This could be an excellent way for the user group community to promote its presence, and contribute to public service.

The APCUG Experts Database is proposing to compile a list of volunteers with specific skills, experience, or knowledge. These experts in their chosen subjects would then be a resource for user groups to channel requests for information or support that may not otherwise be easily available. The planned method of communication will be by email to the database administrator, who will then forward the request to the appropriate expert for resolution.

In order to facilitate these fine projects, APCUG asks that user groups distribute this request for participants to their respective membership. Those persons who wish to participate in either or both of these worthwhile services could then email their preferred contact information and areas of expertise to iwilsker@apcug.net for inclusion in the database. APCUG will promote the availability of these services to the user groups and to the media, and act as a clearinghouse for processing the requests. This is another valuable service that APCUG and the user groups can offer to each other and their respective communities.