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Created May 28, 2014 00:40
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Maptime Onboarding Email
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maptime-intro.md

Hi XXXXXXX,

So excited about a MaptimeXXX chapter! Welcome aboard.

Beth and Alan and Lyzi are CC'd on this email -- they can also help to get you onboarded. We're currently still working on getting good resources out to new chapters, but for now, we have a few things we can get you set up with. First, here's a doc we've been working on with some info. That'll help you to get started. (It involves making a Twitter account! :D) Also, here's a blog post Lyzi wrote about why Maptime exists that might help to guide your events.

Here's some more advice and thoughts, specifically with regards to venues:

Portland has monthly meetings at the EsriPDX space. MaptimeOAK doesn't have a consistent space yet. MaptimeSF meets every week at Stamen's offices. Consistent spaces are good, but it's more important that meetings happen at least once per month. Stay in constant communication with folks who might be interested (both from the tech and traditional GIS worlds) and make sure they know where you're meeting. Other random notes:

  • Try to keep the meeting to 30 people or less. This is a manageable number (and may even be a bit high).
  • Have a very beginner-friendly exercise that everyone can do together (OSM 101 and Anatomy of a Web Map are good for this, or you can make your own).
  • Put explicitly in the event announcement, "Please bring a laptop! Beginners very welcome." Make sure the announcement gets out to a diverse group of people.
  • Keep track of what works and what doesn't, and report back to the organizers about what went well. Or better yet, comment or create issues on GitHub!
  • In addition to the blog post linked to above, feel free to send along our website, our GitHub, or anything else you think might be valuable to folks to get them to understand what Maptime is all about.
  • Ask any questions, and Alan and Beth and Lyzi can help to answer them!

As far as next steps: Alan will get you onto the organizers email list and into our Slack group, and we will reach out to the other people we heard from in your area.

Yay! Let me know if you have any other questions up to this point. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,

XXXX

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