Getting folks involved in leadership/volunteerism at the local level is the cornerstone for building strong Interaction Design communities. Here we learn about organizational challenges, approaches and successes that we can take back to our local groups. Compiled and prepared by Raelynn Miles O'Leary.

1. Break Out Groups
Local Leaders Workshop 2012

2. 01 Organizational Structures
Getting folks involved in leadership/volunteerism at the local level is the
cornerstone for building strong communities.
During this breakout session we will:
• Hear case studies of 4 local groups with very different structures
• Break into groups and share our own local group case studies
• Discuss successes and challenges with the varying structures
 Offer solutions to the challenges that other groups face based on our
own experience
 Hear about organizational successes that we can take back to our local
groups

3. Case Study: Nederlands
Organization:
• Not-for-profit organization with a board of 3people
• Organized at the national level
• Incorporated as a not-for-profit due to conference needs (conference also
brings the help of a 4th team member)
• Holds a bi-monthly gathering organized by one of the board members
• Looking to expand the board to 5 people
Successes:
• Small team makes responsibilities clear and communication easy
• Team consists of hands-on people who make their ideas happen
• Motivation comes from organizing events that board members want to
attend themselves
• Has made a profit from conferences which helps with event organization
Challenges:
• A small team is a risk for continuity
• Organizing the conference has turned into a routine
• Needs new team members with fresh ideas

4. Case Study: Chicago
Organization:
• 8 local leaders all responsible for particular parts of the group (for student
involvement, mentorship, etc.)
Successes:
• Have consistently held events every month for the past few years
• 2 local leaders in particular have been successful in connecting with local
people and firms who want to share their ideas
Challenges:
• Being a local leader is a significant time commitment
• Maintaining a robust local leader group has been difficult as members have
moved out of Chicago

5. Case Study: Buenos Aires
Organization:
• Single leading role with commissions, each with a commission head (for
press and events, education, etc.)
• Had a PM role during first months
• Partner with UPA and ISOC for World Usability Day with an independent
project leader
Successes:
• Clear separation of tasks and responsibilities
• Meetings focus on what the organization wants to do, leaving “how” details
out of the discussion
Challenges:
• Hard to replace commission members who step down
• Difficult to identify and plan tasks that have no single, clear, responsible
commission
• Identification that a committee head is not up to task can sometimes
come too late

6. Case Study: Hamburg
Organization:
• UX Roundtable organized by 5 people
• Flat structure with some more or less active organizers depending on
personal workload
• No formal team structure, all on a voluntary basis
Successes:
• Part of a network of thematically closely related but separate local
organizations
• Members of the organizing team knew each other and had faith on one
another’s abilities
• Being a small group in which members have no assigned responsibilities
makes it flexible and allows everyone to pitch in.
Challenges
• Loose organization causes uneven distribution of work
• Must look to other organizations to pay workshop fees and speakers

7. 02 Newbies/Seasoned Leaders
New local leaders and those who have been around the block have a lot
to learn from one another.
During this breakout session we will:
• Break into newbie/seasoned local leader groups
• Compile challenges faced as a new/seasoned leader/organization
and discuss potential solutions

8. 02 Newbies/Seasoned Leaders
Seasoned leader/group topics:
Newbie topics:
• Facilities
• Logistical issues
• Sponsorship dollars
• Getting word out
• Volunteer commitment
• Company sponsorship
• Keeping momentum
• Creating momentum