by Joseph Rickert

Revolution Analytics's 2015 R User Group Support Program (RevoRUGS) begins today. Last year we provided financial support to 51 groups worldwide. That works out to be about one third of the total number of R active user groups listed in our Local User Group Directory.

R User Groups Supported by Revolution Analytics in 2014

(Download RevoRUGS_2014 to click on R user group locations.)

This year we are aiming to double the number we support. To make it easier for new groups to get started we are increasing the amount of the stipend for Vector level groups from $100 to $120. This should cover the cost of a years worth of organizer dues on meetup.com. (Look here to see what meetup.com pricing for a Basic group is in your region.)

The benefits for Revolution Analytics User Group Sponsorship include:

• A cash grant to promote and support the group.
• A shipment of R-related goodies to give to your members or use as door prizes, etc.
• Promotion of groups and meetings by Revolution Analytics, to help get the word out to other R users in your area.
• Discounts on Revolution Analytics products for R user group members, including a 10% discount on Revolution R Plus and Revolution R Enterprise workstation licenses.

The mechanics of the program are pretty simple. If you are thinking about organizing a new group, review the tips for starting up a local R user group, get a web page going (preferably on meetup.com) and fill out the sponsorship form. If you are representing an existing R user group, review the requirements for Matrix and Array sponsorship. If you think your group meets either Matrix or Array requirements make sure your group's website reflects this before submitting the sponsorship request form.

We will review applications for sponsorship as they come in, and do our best to make a decision and inform organizers within a month after receiving the application form. Organizers of accepted groups will receive a cash stipend and package of goodies that depends on the group level accepted.

The deadlines this year are March 31, 2015 for Matrix and Array level groups, and September 30, 2015 for Vector groups. Properly completed sponsorship forms must be received by these dates.

All the details are here on our website.

The following code was used to draw the map using the data that you can download here:  Download RevoRUGS2014

# REVO SUPPORTED RUGS 2014
# Code 12/18/14 post
 
library(leafletR)  #plot leaflet
 
# Read data from csv file and stor in GeoJSON file
city_dat <- file.path(getwd(),"RevoRUGS2014.csv")
cities <- read.csv(city_dat,header = TRUE)
dat_geo <- toGeoJSON(data=city_dat, dest=getwd(),name="RevoRUGS_2014")
 
#-----------------------------------------------------
# Draw the map
map <- leaflet(data = dat_geo, 
               dest=getwd(), 
               popup = c("City","Name"),
               incl.data=TRUE,
               base.map=list("osm", "mqsat", "tls"))
#------------------------------------------------------
# View map
browseURL(map)

Also note: We are conducting an audit of the user groups listed in the Revolution Analytics directory and removing entries for groups who no longer have websites. If we remove your group by mistake, please do let us know!