Introducing the Garden State Java User Group

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After almost 20 years of operating as the ACGNJ Java Users Group, I am happy to introduce the newly-rebranded Garden State Java User Group (GSJUG), Inc.  This group will continue in the tradition that has been practiced since the beginning - provide high-quality Java education to the community.

As the founder of the ACGNJ Java Users Group, I am happy to introduce the GSJUG leadership:

  • Mike Redlich (that's me) - founder and named director in October 2020.
  • Barry Burd - first joined in May 2003, named vice-chair in April 2014, co-facilitator in February 2018 and director in October 2020.
  • Chandra Guntur - first joined in March 2018 and named director in October 2020.
  • Paul Syers - first joined in April 2006 and named director in 2020.

How did we get here? Let's quickly explore the timeline:

  • January 2001: The ACGNJ Board of Directors approved the creation of the Java Users Group set for the second Friday of the month.
  • February 9, 2001: The inaugural Java Users Group meeting was held at the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad.
  • May 2001: The Java Users Group meetings were rescheduled to the second Tuesday of the month.
  • January 2018: The Java Users Group meetings moved to Drew University starting with the February 2018 meeting.
  • October 1, 2020: The ACGNJ Java Users Group became the Garden State Java User Group (yes, the missing 's' from 'User' was intentional).
  • October 5, 2020: Josh Long, Spring Developer Advocate at VMware, was the first speaker under the rebranded group.
  • November 5, 2020: The Garden State Java User Group was officially incorporated in the state of New Jersey as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

As general computer user groups have seen challenges in maintaining membership, we felt it was time to venture out on our own.  We have seen other Java User Groups (NYJavaSIG, Atlanta JUG, Chicago JUG) thrive because they focus on one thing - the Java community.

Barry, Chandra, Paul and I look forward to growing this newly rebranded JUG for the Java community!

I would like to personally thank ACGNJ for their sponsorship since 2001.


Comments

Paul said…
Great!!!!
1:21 PM
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