I've been v slow to catch up with this.

I'd like to add a few thoughts from the wider Australian, regional and generally international perspective.

I understand Adelaidians/South Australians wanting hyperlocal. As well as being a quietly proud Austrayan, I am a bit of an internationalist. So when SMC co-founder Chris Heuer suggested to me at BlogWorldExpo in 2007 that I get a SMC going in Brisbane, that seemed like a good idea. Eventually that happened and SMCs subsequently got going in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

I joined as a professional member because I felt that was an appropriate for me. I can attest to the fact that there is no pressure in SMC for people/corporations to have paid membership, although I believe more of that would be a good thing, especially for the leaders/coordinators of local chapters.

Three things I find really attractive about SMC are: a) it is dedicated to sharing the social media “story” beyond the echo chamber – cf the motto “If you get it, share it” b) membership is open to anyone who wants to belong c) through being a volunteer on international work groups for SMC I have got to know – or know better – and work with some terrific people, including uber blogger Chris Brogan @chrisbrogan , Dell Computer comms guy Richard Binhammer @richardatdell and many others.

Also, regional stuff. There are chapters starting now in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. I would love to see more collaboration and communication on social media regionally and SMC seems as good a way to go as any – and frankly the only way I can see at this stage.

One of the things we found very helpful in getting SMC Gold Coast going was to set up as a feature of one of our gatherings a Skype video presentation and discussion with Chris Heuer. It was midnight in California but he stayed up to talk with us and give us his insights.

I've been thinking of organising some sort of teleconference or web conference with a few of the SMC chapter people in the US such as Barbara Rozgonyi who runs a successful chapter in Chicago, Jason Falls in Louisville KY, maybe also people from France, Germany, so people in Adelaide as well as those of us on the east coast who are interested could hear some points of view and experiences from people involved with SMC on the ground. Let me know if that is of interest.

Something on the WIIFM register. One thing I have felt for a long time and continue to lobby others in SMC internationally to make real is that we have a practical way for SMC members who are travelling to have readily available a list of SMC chapters, schedule of meetings, key people's contacts etc. That could also be a valuable resource for helping do business in other countries, or – say – helping people from Louisville to London realise that there are talented people in, say, South Australia who share their interest in social media and with whom they might like to connect.

Anyhow, as Fred Dagg used to say (young people ask your parents), I'll get out of your way now.

http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com

http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com

http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com

WOW!! That is BIG thinking! It never even occurred to me to go that big, but that a reflection of my lack of vision rather than any pre-set agenda.

If we DO set up something like this, doesn't it then become a replica (almost) of the Social Media Club? Would any sponsors/funding bodies require us to instigate membership fees?

These are just some of the questions I can see being asked — which, I agree, needs to happen at a meeting of minds of ALL of the interested parties: grassroots (e.g. @monnie, @charlierobinson), social (e.g. @prakky), business/industry (e.g. @PPRAdelaide, @KellyNoble, @Kerryank).

Timing of the meeting is, as always, going to be tricky — getting all of the interested players in the same place at the same time…

I'll put another post up about Stage Two – a meeting – and invite all interested parties to suggest dates/times suitable for them.

And Andrea, you are DEFINITELY invited! [grin]

Cheers

Andrea

I wonder at the term “Social Media” this could be a good opportunity to distinguish ourselves from the (possibly) common perception of “Social Media” in the public realm….a lot of hype, there's nothing new, just a return to old values and actually engaging/ listening with other humans (clients, customers, employees….)

Most of us interested in this area, would be utilizing the tools to further ourselves, our business, our NFP, our education sector, etc and I would like to see this group as being focussed at a higher level than tweetups and chatter.

I feel the mood amongst the top people in this area is to get on with something constructive, the job of evangelizing “Social Media” has been completed.

If the consensus was to make this a serious meeting of minds, then my view would be towards a structure that reflected the desire for strong hyper local outcomes. I would even go as far as to suggest the formation of a NFP, who would seek funding from business and government, with it's members contribution, being one of time.

A entity (like a NFP) could establish permanent premises for said venture and could for example create a pool of members books
as a shared resource. An entity can have representation from the various bodies that fund it and can be contributors back into those bodies in the form of advice (approved/ accredited consultants?)

I know the forming of an entity could be seen as a big burden on our time, but with adequate funding, the heavy lifting could be done on a contract/ tender basis, feeding back into membership.

It's nice to have a chat with those we have connected with online, but I do feel the need to make something real happen in South Australia with this groundswell.

Nice to see Disqus here Lee, really helps to aggregate our conversations.

Cheers

Without having taken time to explore the way SMC works and what alternatives may exist, I can see some problems with using a financial “franchise-style” solution like SMC and pitching it as an “umbrella” for other soc-med user groups.

I'm not adverse to fees, but am concerned that by the paying professional fees, cashed-up businesses and tweeps would become the defacto leaders of the club and would end up setting the club's agenda, to the detriment of casual twitter users who have no plans to make money using this medium.

This seems to be at odds with the low-cost, egalitarian nature of twitter where a person's or business's influence is measured by the amount that they entertain and/or inform others, not by the amount of money they have.

Let's remember that by joining and participating in twitter we are all members of a club already. There may be a danger that grass-roots organisations like atub / barcampadelaide may be overtaken by a more professional alternative.

The SMC would not be a ‘professional-only’ club for the elite; it is intended to be a ‘for everybody’ club that supports all sorts of endeavours. It would be my wish that representatives from all of the different groups so far running in Adelaide would take turns to serve on the organising committees so that no one group ‘takes it over’.

That way everyone’s interests — business, social, tech, grassroots, etc., — could and would be catered for equally.

Don’t forget, there is the $0 membership (you don’t get the t-shirt, but we could always create some hats [grin]) and the $25 student membership.

I personally would hate to see it turn into a clique — only by listening to and being exposed to all sorts of different viewpoints and areas of interest do we as human beings grow…