hentsche@serss0.fiu.edu (Erich Hentschel) (05/03/91)
The acmfiu group here at Florida Intl. University, in Miami, is also experiencing a drop in participation. We have about 15 members that are constantly active, but the rest seem to be busy. We have tried various ideas, I'll list them: * local programming competitions, to practice for the real thing * graphics parties, where we placed three vcr systems and showed different computer graphics and animation clip simultaneously * picnics, out to the everglades, except the big scare of St. Louis encephalitis got us, we ended up going to the Zoo. * canoing at John Penekamp Natl. Park * we had some T-shirts made for acmfiu members, we have only sold about 25, out of the first batch (36). * roll call via E-mail * we also have our local fiu.acm newsgroup * we hold seminars given by our instructors in areas of compiler construction, problem solving, programming techiques, etc. * we have also organized mini-seminars as introductions to Xwindows, usenet, openwindows, etc. These events have taken place in the last 12 months. But aparently we are not doing the right thing. Should we hold large keg parties? It seems to me that holding programming competitions for Hight School is a great way to get younger generations involved, that is were we are missing out. The old acm members are here. We need to attract the younger generations to continue the great legacy of acm. fiuacm.