How to create and operate an igda chapter in Malta (International Game Developers Association - Malta Chapter)

1. Creating an IGDA
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Chapter
Malta Chapter Founding 2011/12
Derived from IGDA publications 1

2. IGDA at a glance
• Board of Directors Chairman Brian Robbins from
Riptide Games
• 88 Chapters worldwide from Atlanta to Vietnam
• Special Interest Groups (SIGs) from A.I. to
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Women in Games
• Wiki Projects with valuable dev-information
• Knowledge and publications about game topics
• Discounts for shows and hardware/software
• Representation of developer interests 2

3. Purpose of Chapters
• Employees from separate companies to get
sense of larger community
• Opportunities to learn and share ideas
• Networking with other professionals
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• Industry outsiders to connect with game
developers
• Chances to learn about the IGDA
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4. Chapter Website
• Chapter Coordinator / organizers granted access
to the Chapter Admin area (IGDA membership
required)
• Alternatively, host site on local server (better)
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• IGDA will provide a redirecting link
• local volunteer to create a design for chapter's
web presence
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5. Orga Committee
 3-6 volunteers from variety of companies Tasks:
 10 full IGDA members needed • ongoing meeting planning
 Found non commercial organization • reserve meeting space
• write meeting announcements and reports
Roles: • maintain mailing list
Mandatory: • update website
• Chapter Coordinator: liaison between your • answer questions and keep folks informed
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chapter and the IGDA, communicates • promote meetings within each volunteer's
chapter activities to IGDA, fills out company
quarterly chapter check-ups • serve as on-site authority figures
Optional: set Up Organizer Mailing List
• Content/Speaker Manager
• Treasurer Optional: Advisory Board
• Website Manager • high-level developers who consult on
• Meeting Venue Liaison chapter activities
• Meeting Reporter/Photographer • strong Advisory Board builds your
• Sponsorship Salesperson chapter's credibility
• acknowledge them on your chapter's 5
website

6. Repeated Meeting Location
• Free use of space
• Accessible via public transportation
• Parking nearby
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• Casual, non-sterile environment
• Reasonably priced food (if pub/restaurant)
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Onsite equipment for presentations or demos
• Sufficient seating/space for expected attendance
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7. Meeting Agenda
Presentations: "Open Mic" nights:
• Presentation from • Free speech for all
industry professionals
• Speakers address the
• Presentation topics crowd
relevant to local
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audience
Panels: Social meetings:
• Moderator presents • At local pub or
topic restaurant (often after
• Four to five attendees presentations or
who address the topic panels) 7

8. Press and Promotion
Important facts:
• Only roughly 15-20% of the people will attend a meeting
• For a chapter's inaugural meeting attendance is usually higher
• post meeting announcement in IGDA forums
• email list of local attendees crucial
• Update Facebook page with dates
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Local events:
Distribute material and encourage interest at game-related events in your area
Dealing with the Press:
Chapters…
… ARE allowed to send updates, memos, or informal announcements about their chapter to the
media
… NOT allowed to put out official IGDA press releases
… NOT allowed to endorse specific products, platforms, companies, or events
… NOT allowed to give interviews on behalf of the IGDA
All media inquiries concerning IGDA should be directed to IGDA headquarters (press@igda.org)
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9. At the meeting
Opening:
• Explain agenda
• Announce chapter or IGDA news
• Make IGDA membership pitch
Welcome Table:
• Arrange welcome table to sign in attendees, distribute nametags, literature.
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• Bring supplies, including pens, pencils, nametags, literature, bowl for business cards
Nametags:
• Nametags can be useful
• But can feel too formal
Meeting Sign-In Sheet:
• Sign• sheet listing names, companies, email addresses, to track meeting attendance
-in
• Update mailing list using the sign-• sheet
in
• Collect business cards
Literature and Forms on Entrance Table:
IGDA membership application forms 9

10. Meeting Follow-Up
Actions recommended one week after meeting:
• Update website
• Update Facebook page
• Update forums
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• Update mailing list
• Post-meeting reports
• Send/Post pictures
• Balance chapter finances
• Do a committee post-mortem
• Update the IGDA with quarterly chapter check-ups
• Contact IGDA Community Liaison if necessary 10

11. Resources
• $300 start• reimbursement (first year only) (reconfirm)
-up
• Web space: Free web space or redirect to a separate website
• Web Team: Volunteers for chapters in need of assistance in
designing/building/maintaining websites
• Dedicated chapter forum: Online forum for discussions concerning
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IGDA chapter events, development, etc.
• Forwarding email address: Forwarding alias for chapters email
• Publicity: Announce chapter meeting on homepage, chapter
meeting page, and monthly IGDA Newsletter
• Provide lists of members in your area upon request
• Attendee and speaker recruitment: The IGDA can help attract
attendees and recruit speakers whenever possible, by request
• Consultation: Advice on getting started and developing chapter
• IGDA literature: Membership application forms, brochures, Annual 11
Reports, etc.

12. Frequency
• Four to six meetings per year
• Weekday evenings from approx. 7pm-10pm
• Select meeting dates in advance
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• Create a tentative calendar
• Avoid dates that conflict with GC, GDC or E3
• must plan at least one meeting per quarter to
retain your chapter's active status
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13. Contact Info
IGDA Head Office
19 Mantua Road
Mt. Royal, New Jersey
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USA 08061
Phone: +1(856)4232990
Fax: +1(856)4233420
• Email: contact@igda.org
• Web: http://www.igda.org/
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• Blog: http://igdaboard.wordpress.com

14. Signup & Fees
Personal Membership Fees in USD
Lifetime Professional Membership $600
2 yr Pro. Membership $90
1 yr Pro. Membership (e.g. Malta) $48
1 yr Pro. Membership developing country (e.g. China) $35
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1 yr Student Membership (no voting rights) $30
1 yr Unemployed Professional Rate $25
Global Studio Affiliation Program
designed as valuable benefit to present development teams
Application Form:
http://www.igda.org/sites/default/files/users/u51/IGDA_Membership_Application.pdf
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15. Questions?
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