First, be warned there will be some spelling and grammatically errors.  This post is rough and ready as it comes.  Ok what is this about, l want to document and relate some of the challenges l will have overcome as the person who has started the Glasgow SQL server group.  Like most things l have attempted in my life, l have failed, that is not stopped me.  So l am going to try and share my experiences and lessons on starting / running an SQL server user group.  The sole reason is hopefully someone, somewhere will be helped by reading about my challenges (mistakes)

Ok first the bad news.  This evening was the first group meeting, time 7pm, location a coffee bar in Glasgow.  Attendees, me and my shadow (as in nobody).  Not the best start l agree, after waiting for 30 mins with my sign on the table, l decided to call it a night.  Not feeling in the best of moods l was pondering what next.  When some song lyrics popped in my head, “I get knocked down, But l get up again You are never gonna to keep me down…” the chorus from Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. So that’s what l listened to repeatedly on the way home.

So how did l get here, and what could l have done better?

Take action more quickly - the idea occurred to me whilst at my first SQL bits conference three years ago.  It took until last years SQL Bits (2016) conference to tweet about it to see what interest there was, it was re-tweeted however no signs of interest.  On the upside, l met two people from Glasgow who hopefully will be involved the user group.

Do not wait – the longer l waited bigger the challenge became!

Make use of all the opportunities you can find – l did set up an event on Meetup.com that has been really positive (more of that in another post).  What l have not done is to contact all my professional contacts in Linked in to spread the word.  I could have used twitter more, to date l have not set up a facebook group, or set up an event on Eventbrite.com.

Positive’s – the two people whom l met at the 2016 SQL bits conference will hopefully be involved in future events and yes they let me know they could not make tonight.   The Trello board l have set up to record ideas and suggestions has worked really well.  There a wealth of ideas and suggestions of what we can do and suggestions on item to be actioned.  Whilst waiting for people come tonight l have made a list of actions l am going to take next.  That can wait till my next post.

Next steps – meetings will be arranged, scheduled and publicised in as many ways and places are possible.  I shall be making use of my contacts to spread the word of this event.
Parting thoughts.  

Following one my most epic failures which l shared with someone, who understood.  He gave me a card with this quote
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt

It’s not easy to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep going.  That’s what makes some people that little bit different....

This post is just a quick thank you to everyone who re-tweeted about the Glasgow SQL server group. Also to those who tweeted words of encouragement. It has been my privilege to see what a unique group the SQL server community is watching and hearing the encouragement and care passed on by this SQL server community. To receive, it is very humbling. So thank you to everyone it was and is much appreciated.