>>There is no framework for organizing a group. Contact the users in your area and schedule a time to meet.
>
>Ok I cld gather people to go for beer easily, But that would be then 'beer user group' :)
>
>What I was thinking is is there any sort of rules, set of good practices for preparing those meetings, materials, presentations etc.
>What bigger user groups usually do at schedulled meetings ?
>Do you contact other groups for exchanges, does MS provide anything
>in that respect?
>It is completely unknown area for me, that is why I hv all bunch of questions ...

Start by offering free coffee and pastries (or beer <g>)
Have one of the attendees show a program or technique he or she knows about or is currently working on.

A 1/2 hour short presentation will do then you can all discuss and critique. Rotate the presenter in each meeting (maybe once a month or so?).

If a user went to some conference they could present what they learned about (that's how many of us in the Corporate World sometimes justify the expense to our employers, by teaching the rest of the group/team).

HTH