The New Zealand SharePoint User Group was launched in August 2006 at TechED New Zealand.
Purpose
The purpose of this UG is to encourage knowledge sharing, personal development, identification of opportunities and input into best practice techniques related to Microsoft SharePoint technologies and directions.
Value Proposition to members
The direct benefits that members will accrue are:
- Sharing experiences and learning from these experiences.
- Early introduction to Microsoft SharePoint technologies and strategies and the opportunities these expose
- Discussion of problems and identifying possible solutions.
- Establishing a network of key contacts with particular SharePoint knowledge and experience that members can call on for various initiatives
User group members would also get the following additional benefits:
An opportunity to demonstrate leadership, expertise and (indirectly) services. This may lead to future business
A good networking opportunity.
Value proposition to contributors
The SharePoint UG will be a key vehicle for the discussion of Microsoft SharePoint related technology and initiatives, as well a forum for the early introduction to emerging software.
Key benefits are:
- Sharing experiences in implementation of Microsoft SharePoint technologies and learning from these experiences
- Preview of upcoming technology advances
- Discussion of problems and identifying possible solutions.
- A forum for ongoing personal development, including presentation skills, networking, absorbing best practice approaches and so on.
- Establishing a network of key contacts with particular Microsoft knowledge and experience that contributors can call on for various initiatives or issues
Ryan Duguid organised the official SharePoint user group kick off meeting with Mike Fitz as our first guest speaker. Mike gave us an insight into what is to be expected from the RTM and what plans they have going forward in supporting the developer community.
Here is an action shot from the very first user group meeting.
Emma Barret, Brendan Law in the holiday yellow Intergen shirts, Mark Orange (Intergen), Mike Fitz, Ryan Duguid (Microsoft NZ), Chandima Kulathilake (Knowledge Cue), David Jonnell
Back row from left Bart Broadfoot (DataCraft), Ian Morrish (Microsoft NZ), Brendon Ford (Provoke Solutions) and Ed Guzikowski
