...when a user group needs a helping hand The User Group Alliance
Who? "The UGA is one of the longest running independent user group service organizations in the world!"		The User Group Alliance is a not-for-profit association representing more than 400 user groups which, collectively, support more than 110,000 end-users. __ The purpose of UGA is to help user groups gain access to additional resources to satisfy their needs. __ The UGA is not open to individual membership; its members are user groups. Although all members of individual user groups should, ultimately, benefit from their group's membership in the UGA, it is the officers and volunteers of the groups that benefit the most, and in the most direct manner. The UGA has two people administering its operations, and occasionally uses the services of volunteers to complete its tasks.
Why? "The UGA is the third largest, single representative of user group members."		The UGA believes that maintaining, and developing a strong sense of community between user groups ultimately benefits everyone. Whereas the User Group Connection provides much needed support from the top-down, the UGAlliance provides bottom-up support. __ User groups all have the same basic needs, and each group attempts to satisfy those needs individually; the results are often unnecessary duplication, and lack of needs satisfaction. Vendors are very receptive to having a central contact point; the UGA provides that. Our collective numbers make the UGA the third largest, single representative of user group members.
How? "The UGA listens... negotiates... promotes... finds ways to help your group."		We listen to the needs of user groups that are expressed at both general and board meetings, at user group conferences, and via e-mail and through on-line forums. * We listen to the requests of vendors. We look for strengths and weaknesses, and try to balance the scales. We negotiate discounts for user group members on software, hardware, support materials, services, seminars, and conferences. We promote cross pollination of groups, and find ways for user groups to help one another.
When?		The UGA operates as needed, on any day of the week, and at any hour of the day. The UGA meets, in Philadelphia, once a month, and maintains an active e-mail exchange with more than 480 user group members, representing more than 210 groups.
The User Group Alliance		Is an international, not-for-profit support alliance for user groups world-wide. Contact us to become part of this productive and growing family and important services. William Achuff -- usergroups@aol.com