What is a Pentaho User Group?
A Pentaho User Group (PUG) is a group of developers or users who are interested in sharing, networking and learning more about Pentaho Business Intelligence. The goals of the groups are to be an OPEN community to connect people around a common interest and foster conversation about open source, business intelligence, data integration, reporting, dashboards and analysis. You can find a list of all the existing Pentaho User Groups here.
Why should I join a Pentaho User Group?
If you'd like to participate more actively in the community, find other like-minded open source business intelligence or data integration users, share your experience and hear best practices using Pentaho, network or have more visible in the Pentaho community, joining an PUG is a great idea.
How do I become a PUG leader?
You can email usergroups@pentaho.com about becoming a PUG Leader. PUGs that have a small group or pair of leaders are typically more organized than groups with a single leader, as running a successful PUG can be a lot of work. Stay tuned for the Pentaho User Group Starter Kit that will have tips and best practices on how to start, run and grow a PUG.
What does a PUG leader do?
A Pentaho User Group leader initiates and organizes PUG events, plans PUG meetings, moderates any private group discussion forums (ie, meetup groups, yahoo groups, google groups, flickr, linkedin etc), encourages group participation, keeps a contact list of all members in the group, is a member of the Pentaho User Group leaders group (you receive an invitation to this group when an email is received about the Group at usergroups@pentaho.com), receives occasional PUG Leader update emails from the Groups Coordinator, updates the groups wiki page on a regular basis. Most importantly, a good PUG leader delegates many of these tasks to members of the Group to help run the group smoothly.
How can I start a Pentaho User Group?
First check the list - to make sure there isn't already Pentaho User Group already running in your area or on the same global topic. Also check the hashtag #PentahoUG on Twitter to see if there has been any interest in your area. If you'd still like to start one, add your group to the Pentaho Community Meetings and Local User Group Page. You can add your group information to the new group or proposed group section.
What can we post on our Pentaho User Group Profile?
Use the template below for information to post to your Pentaho User Group Profile page on the wiki. You can post links to places your Group organizes online such as Pentaho LinkedIn Subgroup, Google groups, MeetUp page, your Group's blog, LinkedIn Page, etc. These are important for helping your Group communicate and also good places for people to learn more about your Group. We reserve the right to remove non-relevant links – please do not post links to promotional pages, commerce sites or an individual's blog, for example, as these aren't really what Pentaho Groups are all about.
- Name: Pentaho [area] User Group
- Region: global or local? North America, EMEA, APAC, South America
- Location: City, State, URL
- Profile: a brief description of your group: what are your user groups goals? Is your group just focused on Pentaho or Pentaho and other technologies? Why is your PUG important? Who is in your PUG?
- Contact: the Pentaho usernames of the people who organize the group, who someone can contact if they want more info
- To Join: you must include instructions, like a contact person or link here to instruct people on how to join
- Links: any sites your group has off Pentaho wiki – MeetUp Page? LinkedIN? Google Groups? Facebook Page? Blog?
- Events: when do you meet and where? in person? how often? any sales or contests or in-person events coming up?
- Add the keyword PUG to the labels so it will automatically show up in the list.
Email usergroups@pentaho.com when it is posted so we can add you to the PUG Leaders Group.
What kind of events can my Pentaho User Group plan?
Anything you can imagine! Events that PUGs plan should work toward achieving the Group's broader goals – education, networking, innovation, community building, etc. We encourage group members to present and share best practices of what they are developing and learning, invite outside speakers to attend, take time to watch a Pentaho demo or webinar, host a code-a-thon, the list goes on....
I have an idea for Pentaho User Groups. Who can I tell?
Email usergroups@pentaho.com or post your ideas to the Community Discussion Forum for a broader audience.
My company would like to sponsor a Pentaho User Group.
Our goal with each group is to facilitate openness in education, networking and community. If the groups feels that this align with their interest, it is up to them.
Does Pentaho grant money to User Groups?
Starting in 2011, Pentaho will start a Grant program for Pentaho User Groups to apply.
Can PUGs charge dues?
Yes, a PUG can elect to charge dues. These dues might typically cover the cost of a particular event, web hosting fees, etc. It is up to each PUG whether or not they'd like to charge dues and how said dues are collected or spent.
Who should I email if I have questions about Pentaho User Groups?
Email usergroups@pentaho.com