Review of the FACUG meeting at Sarasota October 23, 1999

This meeting reminds me of the first meetings we had when this group started about eight years ago. Right now, the software companies are not sponsoring much, as the cost of software has dropped to the point that no one company is making real large incomes as they did in the more recent past.

The registration started at 9:30 and there was a continental breakfast for all. There were about 75 people in attendance. There was a handout of the usual cloth carrying bag, containing a lot of goodies such as pens. These bags came from Office Depot.

In the first morning session, I attended the session on Volunteers. About one hour was spent in talking about how to find volunteers and keep them interested long enough to get the job done. There were perhaps 30 people in the room, and many good ideas came up.

The second morning session was about Web Pages, and was chaired by Gary Schweinshaupt. This was a fascinating session as the group talked about many URL's that are used by the members to help them prepare their home page and the rest of their web sites. Several groups have over 1,500 members, so they have fairly complex web sites. Orlando is thinking about putting all its members’ names on their site. (They have way over 1000 members.) This was one of the best sessions I have ever attended, but there is far too much to list all the discussion here.

The lunch was free and was served in the Masonic (SAHIB) building in which we met. We had grilled chicken breasts, fish, salads, and all the extras. A great lunch, and we could get to meet some new people and find out what they thought about computers in general.

After lunch, the people from Office Depot and also from Compaq talked about their companies and what they are doing currently.

Following the lunch hour, I attended the session on Grants. The art of applying for a grant has now reached a point where any group should be able to get what they want fairly easily. A very long discussion was held about the fact that the Gainesville group is applying for a grant for a whole building and the associated lot! Sun City Center also has that idea. One foundation has over a billion dollars to give away. Everyone had some stories to tell and all the groups are interested in grant applications. Many groups have now bought LCD projectors and other equipment with the grants they have received.

The last session I attended was that of Incorporating as a tax-exempt group. You get to know what groups have had special tax considerations and also you find out in detail how to set up your own incorporation papers. A discussion was held about the C designation; there is more than just a C3 designation.

Following that session, a prize drawing was held. Software and other materials were given away by the number on your ticket given you at lunch. The meeting wrapped up about 4 p.m. From my standpoint this was one of the better meetings of the last two years. And no software people were there at all! Just OFFICE DEPOT and COMPAQ. We can't stop without commending Mary for her work with the FACUG. u