I have been an executive for the Ottawa Windows Server User Group for almost 4 years now. The group has certainly grown as far as interest and attendance. We also created a number of successful study groups to help IT Professionals achieve certification.
One benefit of user groups is to network with people of like interests and skills that you would otherwise not meet.
As an executive, I have worked closely with leaders of the Montreal IT PRO user group, the Ottawa Windows Server User Group and the Toronto User Group. Members have even leveraged the user group model and started other groups like the SQL user group etc.
Have a look at a post by me that was recently published in Tech Republic.
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=757
Maybe there is a user group in your area?
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