NYTM - Change We Make or Stay the Course?

It has been an interesting conversation going on in the circles around NYC - where people are discussing the future of NYTM.  Charlie has a post or two on it (ummm, looks like one is gone), Corey has one, Nate has one, and Richie has one.

Gary provided his ten things - and Allen Stern has some sage advice lo - a year ago.  Heck, even I wrote one down that could discuss some of the root causes of how NYTech has a number of needs that should be addressed.

The challenge is - all of this bubbled to the top, not because of a problem with NYTM - but due o Scott's desire to pass on the reigns.

I had not, up until then, really heard of any complaints on NYTM and how it was done - outside of the space, the lineup and so on.  So, the question is - aside from some slight modifications, is there anything wrong with NYTM?

If youa re one who believes there is - then we could consider one of Charlie's suggestions (to disband it) or to modify it into an Association like NYSIA or SVASE.  Or we can leave what is be and work to improve it incrementally.

For my interest - I thought connecting the other NY Tech groups through the NYTM might play to the group's strengths - and provide a platform for other group leaders and reinforce the Tech Alliance that exists at the Meetup site.  Instead of competing in silos - working to share the discoveries with other communities (for example - some of the companies at the NY/Israel Tech Meetup are something to see in the NYTM) would be something.  And to share the spotlight of the NYTM with these other group leaders would only strengthen the community.

I have other thoughts - but I do not think there is anything "wrong" with NYTM - I think things can be improved - and given a chance and quality feedback (and volunteer support), the NYTM can only improve.

In politics, voters usually decide whether or not the country is going in the right direction or the wrong direction - and that metric often suggests Stay the Course or Change for the Better.

What do you think is happening?  

New York Tech Meetup Manifesto

I used google Docs to publish this Manifesto - and unfortunately, it did not publish correctly. To read the NYTM Manifesto completely, go to http://bit.ly/nytmm.

Introduction

With the proposed changes made by Scott to the NYTech community, there is a vacuum of what NY Tech Meetup should do going forward.  Scott made a proposal, and is asking for nominations and platforms from prospective candidates.  The following are my ideas on these issues and this manifesto is casting about for thoughts and opinions.  I ask for people's input and feedback on it to help create and discuss what should be NYTM 2.0.  Just send me an email and I will make you an author on the google Doc.

Summary of Points

• NYTM Leadership
• More than one leader for the group - each member possessing various strengths, like a small executive board like Stanford's Council of Presidents or co-Organizers
• Staffing could include:
• facilitator - think project manager who ensures community rules are maintained
• producer(s) - running the events and ensures positive flow of event
• ambassador(s) - providing liaison between business leaders, political leaders, and finance people
• mentor(s) 
• NYTM Monthly Event 
• Presenters chosen from three channels, number of presentations between five and seven
  
• Other NY Tech group leaders - they sponsor a startup and present them on stage
  
• NYTM Community choses the following month's presenters - NTYM team provides listing of best
  
• VCs and/or angels can sponsor companies to present on stage
  
• Announcements between presentations
• Requests must be made a day before the event, must be for staffing, event announcements, and other constraints TBD
• Grassroots Publicity
• Members of the NYTM community can get a discount for future events for quality publishings of companies that present
• Will get "credit" for postings within a specific timeframe and of size and content
• Must be tagged in some fashion to get visibility (e.g. #nytech or #nytm) 
• NYTM Steering Community
• Monthly meetings from members of the NYTM community to help in submitting ideas for future direction of NYTM
• Leveraging the enthusiasm and ideas that came from the Oct 20th meeting