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HomeInfo for Non-Members

Information for Non-Members

Why Join a User Group?

Keep up with technology changes.


Updates by those “in the know” are key features of our monthly events.

Enhance your Skills.


Take yourself to a new professional level. Develop expertise for your financial or family life. Improve mobile photography with mobile technology or learn how to organize your photo/video collection digitally.

Questions answered, problems solved!


You’ll get answers to problems you don’t even know you have!

Save money.


Users share how to get the most ‘bang for the buck’ buying, selling, & using Apple products and related tech. And Apple user group members get discounts from a number of companies.

Find local resources.


From technical support to resellers to community classes and activities.

Make professional contacts.


Users are in area businesses, schools, other professions.

Make new friends & get support.


Other users share your passion for talking about your iPhone or Mac and like to help each other.

Tell the world.


Share your passion for Apple technology by promoting your user group events.

Teach.


You’ve got some of the answers, share your expertise! Plus you’ll gain new tools to support your ‘techless’ family or friends who expect you to be their teacher!

Volunteer in the community.


Use your tech or ‘people’ skills to help develop & maintain your user group.

Path To Membership

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Visit a meeting as a Guest


We’d love to have you check out our club by visiting a meeting so you know what a regular meeting is like. During the pandemic, you can join us by Zoom in the comfort of your home. Just let us know and we’ll see you get the logon information.

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Meet fellow members


You can meet fellow members either virtually or in person. Share some of your interests with others. You’ll find others with similar interests and challenges to solve.

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Join and begin getting the benefits of membership


You’ll get all the details on how to take advantage of our Apple Store Discounts. Special workshops, get on our mailing list and much more. You’ll love the member benefits all included in your membership fee.

General Questions about Membership

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Q: Can Non-Members attend SCAU programs?
Q: Can Non-Members attend SCAU programs?

A: Non-members may attend one main program or Special Interest Group without charge.

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Q: Does annual membership begin in January each year?
Q: Does annual membership begin in January each year?

A: Membership period is 12 months from your initial dues payment. (Note: Our dues represent only $5 for each regular main program event, and also include special interest groups known as SIGs).

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Q: Does my spouse need his/her own membership?
Q: Does my spouse need his/her own membership?

A: Spouse can be included in your $50 annual family membership. (Be sure to list his/her name on the form when you join.)

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Q: Can children attend programs?
Q: Can children attend programs?

A: Children 12 and under may attend with a member or guest 18 years or older providing appropriate supervision throughout their visit. Members’ children age 13 and older may attend unaccompanied.

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Q: Any special member benefits?
Q: Any special member benefits?

A: In addition to program & SIG events, members receive monthly discount offers from the Apple User Group Advisory Board, as well as speaker notes from our programs, when available.

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Q: Can I attend just part of a program?
Q: Can I attend just part of a program?

A: You are welcome to come for any portion of our main program – usually iOS, then other universal technology topics, then Mac Q&A (with short breaks between sessions). During the pandemic it will programs will be presented using Zoom, so just sign off when needed.

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Q: Do you sell anything?
Q: Do you sell anything?

A: We are not involved in any sales other than encouraging SCAU membership and offering an occasional raffle or webinar.

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Q: What is your connection to Apple?
Q: What is your connection to Apple?

A: SCAU is an independent volunteer user group. Apple promotes and supports user groups, but the company does not own, manage or direct them.

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Q: What happened to the Macintosh group in the NW suburbs called The NorthWest of Us?
Q: What happened to the Macintosh group in the NW suburbs called The NorthWest of Us?

A: That was us, before we refreshed our name and program to include all of Apple’s amazing products beyond the Mac.

Testimonials

“It always seems that no matter how much I know, there is 10 times more I don’t know and that keeps me coming back.”


-Al Gain

“If i get one good tip that saves me a ton of time or money, it makes the whole trip worthwhile.”


-Founding member and graphic designer Ron Herrmann

“I learned about a software fix on a Saturday that solved a problem for a major corporate client.”


-Ed Booth, VP of Operations for Windsor Digital Design, Inc.