Dear Chicago Kotlin Users Group (CKUG) Members - I...

# chicago

[amanda.hinchman-dominguez]

Dear Chicago Kotlin Users Group (CKUG) Members -
I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to inform you of an important change that will enhance our community's event management and member experience.

We're moving from Meetup to Luma!
After careful evaluation, a test usage period of the Luma registration system (since December 2024), and unanimous agreement among our organizing committee, we have decided to transition from our current event platform to a new, more modern solution

• Luma for Chicago Kotlin User Group - https://lu.ma/ckug
• Luma for Chicago Java User Group - https://lu.ma/cjug
This decision was driven by two key factors:
• Rising Costs: Our current platform's pricing has increased significantly, impacting our ability to allocate resources effectively toward community programming and member benefits. CKUG does not generate any income and there is no money involved, save for occasional support from CJUG, Chicago GDG, and JetBrains. We aim at providing 100% free services to our members, and so every little bit helps in keeping our operating costs low.
Timeline and Action Required

We have a 2-week transition period, with the deadline of August 24. (Note that we will still have an additional 2 weeks or so of "grace period", during which you may see notices on meetup.com informing that the group does not have any organizer and may invite anyone to step up. While you are welcome to "step up", please bear in mind that it will also require a subscription fee.)

To ensure uninterrupted access to our events and community resources, please:
1. Sign up for the new Luma platform by subscribing at:
a. Luma for Chicago Kotlin User Group - https://lu.ma/ckug
b. Luma for Chicago Java User Group - https://lu.ma/cjug
2. Update your notification preferences to stay informed about upcoming events
Registering for our next meetup event on August 19th for CJUG: [https://lu.ma/2ii51215]

Our next CJUG Meetup will be on August 19th, by Francois Martin, an international speaker from Switzerland. You can also simply sign up with the event and this will also get you registered with our new Luma system.
Your Help in Growing Our Community

As valued members of our technical community, you play a crucial role in our growth. We invite you to help us spread the word about this transition and our community in general. If you know colleagues, peers, or other professionals in your network who would benefit from joining our community, please encourage them to subscribe to our new platform.

The strength of our community lies in the diverse expertise and perspectives of our members, and expanding our reach will create even more valuable networking and learning opportunities for everyone.

Support During Transition
Our organizing team is committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. If you encounter any issues during the signup process or have questions about the new platform, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at [[e-mail]] or on our Discord server [https://discord.gg/U25g437].
If you would like us to do a walk-through of the new platform, we'll be happy to schedule an open Q&A session to answer any questions and suggestions that you may have. Details will be shared via the new platform once you've registered.

Looking Forward
This transition represents an exciting step forward for our community. The new platform will enable us to deliver better events, facilitate stronger connections among members, and provide improved resources for professional development.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this transition. Your continued participation and enthusiasm are what make our community thrive.

Best regards,
Amanda and the CKUG/CJUG Organizing Committee