BE Magazine - Volume 5, Issue 1 - (Page 42) BE USERS User Group Guru Extraordinaire A long-time leader shares insight on how to establish a dynamic user group community that prospers and grows A lthough known professionally as a senior design technician at Polk County Public Works in Des Moines, Iowa, Steve Norton is perhaps best known for his enthusiastic and ongoing support of MicroStation user groups and as a longtime leader of the Iowa Digital Design & Engineering Applications (IDDEA) user group. A MicroStation user since 1988 and GEOPAK user since 2001, Norton finds that what most motivates individuals to become and remain active in BE User Groups is that most members are in various types of support roles in their careers, whether full-time or just the senior employee in the office. Once freed from support functions, however, user-group members often display a surprising array of leadership traits that emerge as opportunities for interaction with peers outside of their work environments arise. BE User Groups also offer valuable education—in terms of the latest training—that creates a loyal network of users. Explained Norton, “Many users are not given the formal training required to truly better themselves in their roles at work. User groups provide a source of informal training that lets them keep up with current happenings in the industry. And networking among your peers is very important for the exchange of ideas and information.” As an officer, Norton’s main objective for maintaining and growing user group organizations has been to recruit new committee members. He cautioned that it is easy to get into a routine when things are working well, but that new members offer new ideas and approaches that keep the user group community eager to explore ways to improve the group. Norton has time-tested advice for lesserestablished BE User Groups on how to approach recruitment and activities. First, find a few individuals who are very dedicated to the cause. A well-organized secretary/treasurer is the most important role of the group. Second, listen to all the committee members’ ideas. If everyone can contribute, they will stay more involved. And third, find a way to get to know the committee members on a personal level. Go to lunch together or go out for an adult beverage after the planning meetings. Crème de la Crème Judge for yourself the many innovative projects submitted for the 2007 BE Awards The digital version of The Year in Infrastructure 2007, Bentley’s 184-page project yearbook highlighting the extraordinary work of Bentley users sustaining the world’s infrastructure, is now available. The yearbook features descriptions and color illustrations of the more than 230 project nominations honored in the 2007 BE Awards of Excellence. The BE Awards, which are judged by an independent, international panel of industry experts, honor the projects of Bentley users—projects that set benchmarks and showcase the imagination and technical mastery of the organizations that created them. Exemplifying technological innovation, these inspiring works have improved the quality of life around the globe. Steve Norton at a Glance s IDDEA Chair—2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 s IDDEA First Vice Chair—2000, 2004 s IDDEA Second Vice Chair —1999, 2003 s IDDEA Past Chair—2002 s IDDEA Web Coordinator—2001 to present s MicroStation SIG member—1998 Make Connections! The BE User Group is a collection of independent user groups dedicated to sharing their ideas and building their knowledge about Bentley products. User group members exchange ideas and experiences, receive training, and provide feedback to Bentley by holding local, corporate, and regional meetings and conferences. For more information on the BE User Group program, visit www.beusergroup.com. >>more 42 BE MAGAZINE | Volume 5, Issue 1 © Cityscape http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/bemagazine/beawards07/ http://www.beusergroup.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.