Comments on: Lugging pt. 2: Finding a LUG

By: aussiechef

aussiechef — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:40:24 +0000

Walla walla sounds like it should be in Australia!?
We have a Wagga Wagga (so nice they named it twice)

By: gigahound

gigahound — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:32:24 +0000

Here in Michigan the only LUG I know about is MICHLUG. Unfortunately they operate farther than I care to drive. Also, this post inspired me to check out their information and I found that there seems to be a lot of old information. For instance, several of the names on the list of members have links to sites that are no longer active. There is a link to the LUGnet user group forums but the last post was over a year ago. The main website has a “news” section but very little information. There seems to be a train club within the LUG that is active, but again, not much to go on.

I don’t know about other people’s experiences but if I were seriously searching for a LUG, it would be difficult to convince me to join one that covers so much area yet offers so little, current, information.

Just something to watch out for, I suppose.

Without a central hub of information it is difficult for new FOLs to connect with LUGs. The Flikr groups and large shows/events sometimes appear to be the only thing going on.

By: Thanel

Thanel — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:25:06 +0000

^ W2 is particularly real for anybody who went to college or prison there. I'll leave the case for SeaLUG to a Sealugger, though it generally has a very good reputation. I'll post my own description of drafts on the next lugging installment, but in the meantime, one of the best descriptions of a draft I've read so far happens to be on the SeaLUG website.

By: JD_Luse

JD_Luse — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:14:28 +0000

Of course Walla Walla is real! =)

I’ve been thinking about becoming involved in my local LUG (SeaLUG) and your posts are pushing me along in that direction…Though, what exactly is drafting?

By: Thanel

Thanel — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:23:19 +0000

@ Nicky B: Looks like there’s a central Ohio LTC, and a greater Midwest LUG (GMLUG), but nothing more specific or closer that I know of. I’ve recently been correspodning with a few people in northern Kentucky who are interested in finding or starting a LUG. Some LUGs just involve long commutes for their meetings. They’re often worth the drive. In San Diego, we have people driving all the way down from Los Angeles to SandLUG meetings, even though there’s a LUG up there too (LUGOLA).

@ TaltosVT: Glad you cleared up the NELUG correspondence issues and shared information about your LUG. Happy to have the input.

By: TaltosVT

TaltosVT — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:49:57 +0000

Pixel, if you were ignored by NELUG, I can assure you that it wasn’t on purpose. I just found out yesterday that our contact form isn’t working correctly, and a couple of months ago we did have an issue where new member registrations weren’t being looked at by anyone. It was a basic communication breakdown where the five of us who generally look at that stuff all thought that one of the others was looking at it.

I guess that’s one point to keep in mind with any LUG. They are run by volunteers in their spare time, so things aren’t always perfect.

Another thing to keep in mind is that not all LUGs are the same. NELUG, for instance, is a little stricter in it’s membership requirements than some clubs. Basically, we welcome anyone over 18 who lives in one of the New England states. I can see how that might be unwelcoming if you are a teen or live in a different state, but those two requirements helps us manage the activities that we do as a club. We also charge a yearly dues (currently about $24 a year). This helps us pay for club assets like our website and trailer, so that no one member has to bear the burden of those costs (which do add up). If we have extra money left over after expenses, we try to give it back to members in various forms (a discount on next year’s dues, a party, or t-shirts, for example). Other LUGs welcome anyone who signs up for their mailing list. Look for a LUG that works best for you.

By: Nicky B

Nicky B — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:18:54 +0000

Well, I’m not sure If you would know but I have been Interested in joining a LUG group for some time now, and was wondering if you would know if there was a LUG in the Columbus, Ohio Area. Peferably that the main interest is Castle but any LUG name you could give me is Fine.

Reply Soon~Nicky B

By: Thanel

Thanel — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:47:43 +0000

@ wunztwice: Plugging is fine, though PLUG (Portuguese LEGO User Group) may prefer another term ;). I have some friends in Walla Walla I should direct your way. Yes people, Walla Walla is a real place.

@ TargetBoy: LUCNY covers central New York, but I’m not sure of their exact range.

@ Pixel: I don’t know about the NELUG dynamics or any particulars, but in general I have heard of some LUGs that aren’t exactly good at welcoming new members.

By: Pixel

Pixel — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:26:17 +0000

Don’t forget the other possibility, an active lug that ignores people attempting to become new members.

I’m looking at you, NELug.

By: TargetBoy

TargetBoy — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:47:25 +0000

There anyone in the Albany NY area? Last I was able to find was a Lego train LUG in Syracuse… :-(

-pete

By: wunztwice

wunztwice — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:47:19 +0000

Nice article, I am certainly looking forward to the next one, as we are starting up a new LUG as you ‘speek.’

Since we aren’t known by many at all I figured it might be worth plugging our LUG (if that’s appropriate here…?).

EORLUG is a LEGO user group located in Eastern Oregon. Because of the vastness of this region, and the relatively small population in general we basically cover the whole half of the state. We have few members and are always looking for more! Find me on Flickr and shoot me an FM if you are interested (/photos/wunztwice/).

[and yes, our mascot is Eeyore, get it?...]

Thanks!!!