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i2 Geographic User Group (GEOs)

 

The i2 User Group is a professional networking membership association for the i2 Technologies user community. i2UG has an active membership dispersed all over the world. i2 Technologies ONLY recognizes i2UG as the official user group of i2 products. In an effort to provide an additional forum to facilitate increased opportunities to meet and interact with one another, the i2UG will assist you in the development a Geographic User Group (GEO).

The information below outlines the services that are available to you in the organization process and the roles and responsibilities associated with the coordination of an affiliated group. As such, the i2UG has identified key guidelines to assist in the development and maintenance of each group. i2UG reserves the right to modify this list at any time.

GEOs are volunteer organizations developed and administered by i2UG member and associate member volunteers.

Members of Geographic Groups reside within the same geographic region and meet to facilitate networking of nearby i2UG members. Members discuss and share ideas concerning many diverse topics. These groups have the opportunity to meet more frequently due to the close proximity of their members.

Each GEO is asked to affiliate under the auspices of the i2UG and its mission, objective, and policies. In return the i2UG will provide assistance and support to the group and its members through Affiliated Group Benefits. These Affiliated Group Benefits are listed below and are reviewed annually to ensure their scope in fulfilling the i2UG mission, goals, and objectives.

Affiliated Group Benefits

• Assistance in requesting annual financial support from the i2UG or i2 Technologies Posting of GEO
• Assistance with volunteer development, board and committee structure, roles and responsibilities
• Assist in requesting and identifying i2 Technologies resources for participation in GEO meetings
• Subject to availability meeting space and promotion at i2UG annual Directions conferences
• Listing of group on the GEO on the i2UG web site
• Posting of GEO promotional content on the i2UG web site
• Web content development is NOT provided unless it is in the annual i2UG budget
• Assistance in identifying members through the i2UG Membership Directory; including membership demographics

GEO Do's and Don'ts

• GEOs DO NOT have financial support unless it is in the annual approved i2UG budget. Requests for i2 Technologies funding is made through the i2UG financial committee
• GEO's are encouraged to be financially independent. It is suggested that GEO's target funding by use of associate member sponsorship and charging attendees a modest fee to cover meals and meeting space
• Meeting content is the responsibility of the GEO
• i2UG can assist with requesting and identifying i2 Technologies resources for participation in GEO meetings
• Meeting logistics are the responsibility of the GEO
• Promotion content is the responsibility of the GEO
• Website space is available on the i2UG website to promote the GEO
• Bulk emailing to communicate with the GEO membership is available through the i2UG
• If a host company intends to offer their corporate meeting space for a GEO or SIG meeting, the host company should clearly state any limitations on who can attend. Frequently companies have pollicies that prevent access by competitors
• Encourage and promote i2UG Membership for all attendees.
• Participation must be open to all current i2UG members. No i2UG member can be refused attendance at any Affiliated Geo meeting or event
• Meetings are open to non-i2UG members who are i2-licensed customers
• Prospect customers (if approved by i2 Technologies) are allowed to attend GEO meetings and events
• Encourage volunteer participation through director / committee development. i2UG encourages each group to host annual or bi-annual elections of officers and committee chairs

The success of an i2UG Affiliated Geo relies on the dedication and support provided through the coordinated efforts of the Geo Committee and their respective Group Coordinators. The Coordinator of any affiliated group is an important representative of the group as well as the i2UG and as such should have:

• A basic understanding of i2UG, its goals and objectives, and policies and procedures
• Have a working knowledge of i2UG, the user community industry and the needs thereof
• Ideally, each coordinator should possess a basic knowledge or experience working with volunteer membership organizations

GEO Coordinator Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing by-laws for the group in accordance with national, regional or state requirements
• Following all i2UG Policies and Procedures
• Maintaining and providing Group Affiliation Forms to i2UG annually
• Maintaining current group contact information with the i2UG
• Promoting i2UG Membership and ongoing relationship development between group members and i2UG
• Maintaining group records and meeting minutes in accordance to set by-laws
• Volunteer committee development
• Group administration and maintenance
• Minimum requirements to become an i2UG Geo Coordinator
• The Coordinator for the Geo User Group must reside within the Geographic territory defined by the Geo User Group
• An Associate Member may initiate and start a new Affiliated Geo User Group
• An Associate Member may fill the Coordinator Role for a term of one year
• At the term of one year from the date of Affiliation, the Geo User Group must hold an election or appointment by majority that allows any member of the i2UG, as defined by the geographic boundary of the Geo User Group, to fulfill the Geo Coordinators role
• If an Associate Member is elected or appointed to the Coordinator position for two consecutive terms, a current i2UG User Member must be named as Co-Coordinator

Ethics standard for Associate Member GEO Coordinators

i2UG recognizes that our Associate Members are a valuable asset to our membership. As Associate Members, many have the time, energy and resources necessary to devote to the successful development and administration of a new Geo User Group.

i2UG also recognizes Affiliated Geo User Groups offer our Associate Members an additional opportunity to interact, network, display, and market their goods and services to the i2UG Membership.

It is important that Associate Members who wish to assume a Geo Coordinator position understand that the they are prohibited from using the position for the sole purpose of marketing and solicitation of business.

The i2UG reserves the right to withdraw i2UG affiliate GEO status if it is found that the associate members sole purpose is to market or solicit business.

Group Conflicts & Overlapped Focus

• If new group forms with an overlapping focus or in the same geographic area, the existing group takes precedence
• i2UG will attempt to combine the groups

Annual Affiliation Process

• Complete and submit an Annual Group Affiliation form on or before November 15th of each calendar year
• Maintain current contact information for Group Coordinator to i2UG
• Request financial support through the i2UG Finance Committee

i2UG also expects all affiliated groups, and members of affiliated groups, to abide by i2UG's bylaws and policies. Specifically, i2UG has defined strict policies against using i2UG member and conference attendee lists for recruiting purposes and prohibits any and all recruiting related activities at i2UG functions. For a current explanation of i2UG regulations and policies, e-mail Beth Roberson, or call 469-357-3417.

GEO Groups

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