If yours is a highly competitive, cutthroat industry, you should gauge a group's membership before you join. Competing companies should not have members par- ticipating within user groups, especially if sharing an internal technology weakness can lead to exploitation. The experience level of attendees is also important to weigh. You don't want to lump together executive or director-level attendees with interns fresh out of college. The priorities, resources, and capabilities will be entirel y different, according to IDC's Oleson.
Electronic communication is necessary for a dynamic user group.
Some form of Internet-based communication is crucial. Once you've researched relevant user groups, jump in with both feet and add to the success of the one you choose. You'll probably glean more than you'll ever be able to contribute.