The document discusses how to build and grow a community around free and open source software (FOSS). It provides tips for founding a community such as communicating with other FOSS groups, hosting an initial meeting to discuss goals and logistics, and using various media to spread the word. Growing a community involves activities like regular online and offline meetings, maintaining an accessible website with announcements and forums, and hosting both technical and social events. Qualities of effective community leadership are also outlined.

1. Building Communities GNOME.Asia Summit 20 th November 2009 Pockey Lam, Beijing Linux User Group [email_address] www.beijinglug.org

3. Founding a community

6. What it takes to be a community leader

8. Local community, not just online community +

10. Spread the word of your intention

11. Find a location

12. Schedule a time

14. Blogging

15. New media e.g. facebook, twitter, linkedin

17. Building an online platform (for people to find you from the Internet)

18. Establishing a mailing list for communication

19. Hosting regular meetings (decide the best date / time / location for the group)

20. Getting a few volunteers to help out

21. Next topics (what people are interesting about)

24. Archive your activities

25. Communication: Mailing list VS Forum

26. Pick the right URL and host your website

28. To add features and components

29. BLUG Case Study: Website

34. BLUG Groups

36. BLUG WIKI

38. Location: available and accessible

40. Consistent, host as promised and advertised

41. Maintain good relationship with vendors

42. Affordable and diversity

43. Avoid weekends or peak time/ hour

44. Booking in advance and arriving earlier

46. Interesting projects / topics

47. Informal discussion groups

48. Installfest

49. Configuration, coding and bug-fixing

51. By talking to companies and other communities

52. By joining conferences and inviting speakers

53. BLUG Case Study: Activities

55. Social: Chuanr (skewers) night and Anniversary

56. Conferences: SFD, installfest and other events

58. Quadcopter

59. Educational Linux

60. RepRap

61. Techwomen

62. Much more

64. Find out what your members want to do

65. Create open communication between members

66. Avoid self-promotion and company promotion

67. Not to involve “money” if possible

70. Have social events regularly

71. Host FOSS events once / twice a year

72. Get your members involved

73. Reward your members

74. Have name cards for yourself / your core members

75. Maintain / update the website

77. Have people skill

78. Time and Patience

79. Introspection, commitment and honesty

80. Greet / Listen to your members

81. Put community first

82. Share decision making process

83. Able to take criticism

84. Achievement and Satisfaction

85. Community Rocks! Any question? [email_address] www.beijinglug.org