Starting a Local Users Group (LUG)

 

• What are the benefits? Communication with other Avaya users
• Interaction with local Avaya staff
• Opportunity to influence Avaya on a local level, about common concerns
• Opportunity to find out about:

   1. What is happening within Avaya
   2. Direction being taken by Avaya
   3. New Product Announcements
   4. Industry changes that may affect you

How to determine if a local users group already exists in your area.

Review our Local User Group list.
Contact your Avaya Account Executive; they may be aware of a local group.
Check the main 'Local User Groups' page of this website or contact the International Alliance of Avaya Users at 800-334-6489 to see if a group is listed for your area.
Contact other companies in your area.

How do you start a Local Users Group?

Choose what would work best for your area:

• Contact a few other telecommunications people from your local area to see if they would be interested in organizing a Local Users Group with you.
• Contact 800/334-6489 to have the International Alliance of Avaya Users provide advice on how to begin. (Please note that InAAU does not provide financial or administrative support for Local User Groups).
• Contact your Avaya Account Executive for help. Ask them to help you contact the local customer base.

What do you need to determine?

Meeting logistics:

• Frequency and length
• Date & Time
• Where - adequate space and AV
• Lunch and/or refreshments
• Handouts
• Sign-up lists
• Name badges
• Minutes Geographic area to be supported

Name of Group

Membership requirements

Initial mission, goals and objectives

Who can attend

Limit attendance by Avaya?

Avaya's Business Partners

Secondary Marketers:

• Send invitation letters
• Meeting logistics
• Directions
• Parking information
• Contact and telephone numbers
• RSVP What kind of meeting structure & what topics should you cover?

Vary your agendas depending upon allotted time. Agendas can include both structured and open forum times.

Ask your membership what they want. Excellent topics can be found in:

• InAAU InSIDER, the newsletter published by the International Alliance of Avaya Users
• Agendas from the Regional and Annual meetings
• Ask Avaya to help find speakers for topics you want addressed.
• Ask Members to speak at meetings

Can/Should Avaya play a role? If so, what?

• Ask your membership how strong a role they want Avaya to play.
• Do you want Avaya to present at the complete meeting, or are there sections of the agenda that the membership would be more comfortable, if Avaya were not present?
• It is fair to expect some support or involvement from Avaya. They are an excellent resource. A LUG is valuable to Avaya, and they should welcome the chance to help you. What about ...?

Q. How are local users groups affiliated with InAAU?
Local users groups are not affiliated with InAAU. Although we do not provide financial or administrative support, we absolutely believe in the value of local users groups and therefore offer the following:
- One year free InAAU membership to LUG President's/Leader's (renewable on an annual basis by calling 1-800-334-6489.)
- LUG contact information on InAAU's website

Q. How organized do we need to be?
As organized as your LUG desires. Establish a name for your LUG. It is helpful to have a database of members.

Q. Do we need a Board of Directors?
Only if that is what the group desires. There needs to be someone responsible for coordinating meetings and follow-up.

Q. What about dues or membership fees?
You need to decide this on a local level. Keep in mind that any group that establishes itself and collects fees will have some IRS reporting liability. You may run the group on a voluntary, no-cost basis. Otherwise, consult with an attorney regarding incorporation & Bylaws, etc. Be advised that a product-specific users group has different IRS tax status than a non-specific telecommunication association.

Q. How often do we need to meet?
This is up to your members. Some LUG's meet once a month, some quarterly, etc.

Q. How long do your meetings need to be?
Some groups make their meetings a full day, a half-day, or just a couple of hours in the morning or afternoon. It should depend on geographic location of your membership and logistics of how long your members can afford to be out of the office.

Q. Do we need to register with anyone?
The person who agrees to head up the LUG is eligible for a free one-year membership in the International Alliance of Avaya Users. This provides the opportunity for information flow between both groups. Call 800-334-6489 to register your group.

Q. Where do we hold meetings?
Check with your local account team. They may have the facility and may be willing to help you out. Check also with your members. Most companies have a room that can be used for "community" functions. Local restaurants and hotels may be willing to work with you for a small fee.

How do you sustain a local user group?
Involve membership in various ways and then keep them involved!
Make sure that you know what members want from the group. Verify it occasionally.
Vary the technical level of meetings to meet varying user knowledge levels.

International
If you are interested in starting an international group, please call Patrick Sweeney at 407-345-7118 or email him here.

Information above was compiled by the International Alliance of Avaya Users for the benefits of its members.