Hi Kathy,
(blogged at http://blog.kathyreid.id.au/2011/09/18/software-freedom-day-melbourne-2011-f...)
Oh believe me, I've circulated that to hundreds of people :)
- needing to keep the group broad in focus.
Yes, absolutely. After all, strictly speaking, Linux is just the kernel. By itself that would make a fairly uninteresting user's group.
- we might want to let ICT Geelong (www.ictgeelong.com.au) know that there is interest in a Linux / free and open source software group in the region
Can't hurt... I suppose!
- understanding what others would like to get out of the group. Would we like social catchups? Talks about various tools or products or software? ie GIMP or PHP or WordPress or Pidgin etc?
This part is important. Developing a community means meeting regularly about subjects which the members are interested in and are attractive new members. A combination of technical and social at each meeting helps. Best wishes, Lev