Get Acquainted

The newly-elected officers for 2015-1016 would like to get acquainted with YOU.  Click on About Us in the menu above and then click on each entry there to find photo and bio of these friendly people:

        President: Sondra Bradshaw

        Vice President:  Art Gorski

        Secretary and Membership Chair:  Bobbie Pastor

        Treasurer: David Passell

        PMUG Ambassador: Ward Stanke

From Us to YOU ! (Yes, You)

         So, you are interested in the latest info on Mac, etc.  So, you come to the Prescott Mac User Group meetings when you can . . . and . . . that's it?  
        Maybe you are overlooking a real asset you have.  
        Your experiences with computers, iPhones, iPads, etc. would add a nice variety to our PMUG meetings.  No, you don't have to be a professional IT or an experienced public speaker . . . you have something to share.
        Several PMUG guys, Ward Stanke and John Carter, were discussing the possibilities for program presenters in 2015.  John emailed a reminder of a short article he sent to the Reviews section of www.pmug.us called "Presentation Zen."  
       Need another nudge?  John volunteers to happily assist you to put together a little presentation for all the nice people who come to PMUG meetings.  Drop him a note at john@jrcarter.com . 

Happy Birthday, PMUG!

        Here's an early "Happy Birthday!" to PMUG, Prescott Mac User Group which officially started twenty-five years ago on August 21, 1989.  
        At today's meeting new Prez Rob Raess presided, VP Pam Wickstrom encouraged those attending to volunteer to speak to us at some later dates.  
        We also heard from David Passell, treasurer, and we signed a pretty card to send to Bobbie Pastor, PMUG secretary.  Our "cookie lady" Ginger Carlson brought cake for the birthday.  Jeff Ian from Think4Ink gave a jolly presentation that informed all of us about printers, ink, and the history of PMUG in Prescott. 

We Appreciate YOU

         Pam Wickstrom, new VP, wants you to know how much PMUG appreciates YOU and she invites you to consider sharing at an upcoming meeting.  At our July meeting she announced her idea for scheduling the next meetings.  And she got some ideas there. 
       Now she writes, "It seems there is a strong interest in what apps people are using and would recommend for Apple devices.  I am seeking volunteers for presenting your use of apps and why you like a particular application(s).  You can speak for a 15 minute segment or more time as you wish.  Of course, there will be time for the group to ask questions as well.  So please seriously think about offering your experience to the group.  It is in sharing that we learn." 
        Please let Pam Wickstrom know by email (pwickstrom@cableone.net) if you can speak at a meeting.  
        She continues, "You may also contact John Carter (john@jrcarter.com) if you have questions about technology available to assist you in your presentation.  You certainly don’t have to be adept at powerpoint presentations; however, John may have ideas to assist you."

        Pam concludes with, "We are considering having a meeting on how to use the PMUG website.  Your thoughts?  Another idea is seeing the video 'Welcome to Macintosh' produced in 2008.  Members could bring older devices for a 'show and tell.'  We would appreciate your feedback."

Appreciating YOU

        We appreciate having interesting, helpful PMUG meetings.  And we appreciate YOU coming.  

        See what Jim Hamm has to say:  "This is an open letter to PMUG members, and I have some questions for you. How long have you been a member of PMUG? How many meetings have you attended, where someone else stood up and shared some knowledge with you? How many tips have you sent to be published in the PMUG newsletter. How many officer positions in PMUG have you volunteered for? How many presentations have you given?
        "If the answer to these questions is none, PMUG needs your help. 

        "The President and Vice President are not planning to run for office again, and we need volunteers for these positions, and to give some presentations. Yes, I'm talking about you, one who hasn't contributed in the past. Remember, the meetings and presentations don't just spontaneously happen -- someone has to work and make them happen."

        Now, Jim illustrates this,  "Here's an analogy. Let's say your neighborhood has a potluck, pitch-in, dinner every month. You faithfully show up, enjoy the food and camaraderie, but never contribute any food. 

        "Would you do that? I don't think so. The same with PMUG. It's nice to come to the meetings and hear what someone else has prepared for you. But it's also nice for you to chip in now and then also. 

        "The intent of this note is not to embarrass you or rile you up. Its intent is to get you to volunteer. If you haven't contributed to PMUG in the past, now is the time to step up. We need volunteers who care and want to see PMUG continue."   
        So, let Jim's logic sink in, then email your ideas to PMUG. Click on About Us, and contact one of our officers.  We do appreciate YOU. 

Happy New Year to YOU

Here's sending you a New Year's wish from your Prescott Mac User Group.  May your year ahead be fun, as well as productive. May it be a time to keep learning, as well as keeping doing good.  Thanks to Bobbie Pastor for the outstanding illustration here.  See you all at the January meeting?  

Here's the Help You Need

John Carter is a busy guy.  You've heard his PMUG presentations, maybe his SIG ones, too.  But John can give you personal help for those pesky problems that are slowing you down.          At Saturday's PMUG meeting former Prez Howard LaPittus was bragging on John's helpfulness. Email John here.   And he passes along the following info, too.         Zenda Sergo is another local resource for anyone looking to take a formal class on how to use their Apple device or to learn a particular app like iPhoto or Pages. Zenda has a website that shows what classes she is offering. All classes are 2 hours in length, and she provides handouts ("Unlike me," comments John. "but then I don't have a formal class schedule to work from.").   Click here for her website.