Whether you're new to the web or a high-tech guru, our community-based Adobe User Groups offer members a monthly forum for troubleshooting, networking, and learning about the latest Adobe tools, tips, and technology. This page tells you everything you need to know about starting a Adobe User Group in your area.
- Selecting a User Group Type
- Requirements for Starting a User Group
- Suggestions for Running a Successful User Group
- Obtaining Adobe Benefits
- Legal Questions
- Taking the Next Step? Apply to Start a Group
Selecting a User Group Type
Adobe currently sponsors the following types of user groups:
- Community User Groups—A Community user group focuses on a specific Adobe product or group of products. Community groups are open to all who would like to attend. Adobe recognizes one group per product for each metropolitan area.
- Educational User Groups—Comprised of students and faculty, Educational user groups may include both college and high school students and meet throughout the school year to keep current on the latest in web development and design.
Requirements for Starting a User Group
Adobe has identified several key factors that will help you create and sustain a successful user group.
Creating Your User Group Website
Adobe requires each group to create a website that lists the most current meeting date, the meeting agenda, and its location (including directions). We also suggest including a registration form, mission statement (as described above), and an event calendar to boost your membership. At this time, Adobe does not offer web hosting to user groups; however, we will share the names of some partner companies that do.
Standard Meeting Details
When possible, meetings should be held on the same day of the week (for example, the second Tuesday of the month), at the same time, and at the same location each time. Existing user groups report that keeping a standard meeting schedule helps keep attendance up and increases it over time.
Members Mailing List
Each user group is responsible for keeping its own mailing list of members and notifying them of upcoming meetings. Just as Adobe would never release its customer list, we would never ask for access to your list.
Suggestions for Running a Successful User Group
The suggestions below should help you as your group moves from startup to maintenance mode.
Building a Board of Directors
We suggest that each group elect a Board of Directors to share some of the group management duties. A general starting point is a board that consists of at least two members from different companies. The Board of Directors usually plans meetings, schedules speakers, and votes on general issues. Officers can either be elected or appointed, but it is important to clearly define each position's responsibilities so members know what to expect before agreeing to serve.
The following are common positions on the Board of Directors with their associated duties:
- Manager—Acts as liaison with Adobe; chairs meetings; oversees all other positions; votes in the case of a tie.
- Co-Manager—Assists or takes the place of a Manager when they are unavailable.
- Treasurer—Maintains accounting records; files necessary reports.
- Membership Chair—Registers new members; sends monthly meeting reminders.
- Speaker Chair—Coordinates and schedules monthly speakers.
- Webmaster—Keeps user group website information updated.
Some groups elect a Board of Directors who in turn elect key officers from their board members. Other groups hold elections for officers and board members separately. However your group decides to hold elections, it's important that this information be made public knowledge and posted on your website, and that all group members have a chance to participate.
Molding Your Mission Statement
To tighten your user group's specific focus, work with group members or the Board of Directors in the early stages of the group's creation for statements of group purpose and goals. These statements can be used to create the group mission statement. The mission statement gives new members an idea of what to expect from your group and helps clarify group focus in the face of growing membership or conflicting purposes.
Launching Your Group
Your group's manager must establish an active user group website, set an agenda, secure a meeting location, and provide directions to that location. When this information is sent to the Adobe User Group team, the group will be listed in the User Group Locator.
Finding Speakers
Each group must book its own monthly speakers. The User Group Community and the Adobe Partner Community both offer excellent speaker resources.
If time allows, review your speaker's presentation prior to delivery. Encourage your speaker to provide handouts, code samples, or a free samples of products to keep the meeting interactive. Be prepared with a backup plan in case of a last-minute speaker cancellation.
Retaining Members
Sometimes member retention is the most challenging task for user groups. To increase retention, hold meetings at the same time, day, and location. Well-planned meetings also help raise numbers. Some user groups install polling questions on their website and ask members to vote on monthly topics, meeting times, and facilities to involve the majority of members in group decisions. It is also required that groups meet a minumum of eight times per calendar year—meeting less frequently may lead to a drop-off in attendance.
Dues
A small number of user groups charge dues for meetings, usually to cover the costs of refreshments served. Membership fees are determined by each user group based on how many expenses the group will incur or spend on room rental fees, snacks, advertising, and the travel expenses of speakers.
Company Sponsorships
Some user groups generate money to pay for expenses by offering to sponsor company meetings. In return for such a sponsorship, the sponsoring company may receive mention at the beginning of the meeting or display its marketing materials. The user group's Board of Directors determines the amount charged for corporate sponsorship.
Obtaining Adobe Benefits
Adobe provides several resources to assist you in running a successful user group.
Adobe Speakers
We encourage you to work directly with the User Group Team to arrange for speakers for your group meetings. We cannot, however, always guarantee speakers for particular events. We try to give as much notice as possible, but we ask that your group be flexible regarding time or meeting day, if need be, to accommodate our speaker.
Beta Access
From time to time open sign-ups will be held for program members to join the beta programs for the products they are interested in.
Third Party Offers
Adobe has partnered up with several vendors (Lynda.com, Total Training, various publishing companies) who are willing to provide program support to Adobe user groups. You will receive a list of these partners after you launch your group.
Group Listing on Adobe Website
All active Adobe user groups will be listed in the User Group Locator in the user group area of adobe.com. It is important for groups to keep their sites updated with the most current meeting information.
Adobe Asset Portal
The Adobe Asset Portal is a comprehensive source of benefits, assets, presentations, and other resources to help you run your group more effectively.
Acrobat Connect Accounts
Adobe provides user groups with access to an Acrobat Connect account for the purpose of hosting virtual speakers at their user group meetings as well as for broadcasting meeting content out to virtual attendees.
Mailing Lists
Adobe runs two mailing lists to provide a forum for managers to share opinions, presentations, demonstrations, tutorial and tips with fellow managers all over the world. One list hosts general manager chatter while the other is an announce list for communicating important program information.
Promotional Items
Adobe also supplies promotional giveaway items for its user groups. You may use these items to attract new members or maintain existing members. These items are sent in care packages twice a year.
Software Giveaways
Adobe will also provide your user group full commercial copies of software twice a year to use as raffle items or door prizes to support your group.
Legal Questions
Incorporation
Depending on where your group meets and how much revenue your group generates, you may decide to incorporate. Contact your state Department of Assessment and Taxation for further details about legal restrictions and guidelines.
Non-Profit Status
You may also choose to register your group as a non-profit organization. Adobe User Groups may qualify for federal non-profit status under one of these three categories:
- 501(c)(3) Educational Organization
- 501(4) Civic League
- 501(7) Social Club
Taking the Next Step? Apply to Start a Group
To ensure diversity, Adobe only recognizes one user group per product
for each metropolitan area. Check the listings of user groups to see if a group
already exists in your area. If you don't see a group listed in your area and
are interested in starting one, fill out the User Group Application. Adobe
will review your application and request more information, if necessary.
