If you're in the minority who have 220 gear, the place to listen is 222.1 Mhz. On 70 cm, the calling frequency is 432.1 Mhz. Tune through the band, then park your VFO on or near the calling frequency, set the squelch so that even a weak signal will break it, and go about your business in the shack. Make your CQ's short and listen carefully. If you have a rotatable antenna, turn it.
Openings can pop up in some unexpected directions.
Tropo, E-skip, EME, aurora and meteor scatter all require somewhat different operating techniques. While listening and working through various experiences on the air will help develop your skills, you can shorten the learning curve by studying the ARRL Operating manual, publications such as CQ and QST, and by dialoguing with experienced operators. See you at the meeting and on the bands. I'd like to start by wishing Donald Owens a speedy recovery and hope that he will soon be home with his family and back to ham radio after his auto accident a few weeks ago. Our thoughts have been with him and his family this past month.