Is your Scrum User Group really a user group?

Ken Schwaber recently chided the Scrum Alliance for having a trademark on the term “Scrum User Group.” Man! There is something about the way divorced couples can fight forever through their kids. I’d like to ignore the couple for a moment, and talk about the children: What is the state of user groups in the Scrum and Agile community?

After a period of working too hard, I have been able to attend a few user group meetings this year. A couple of patterns have stood out for me. Patterns that don’t feel right, but maybe I am exaggerating? Do you recognise any of these?

• The user group is associated with an agile consultancy.
• The user group event starts with some promotion of said consultancy.
• The user group doesn’t have a website or even a meet-up page.
• The user group website is mostly promoting high-value courses.
• Membership is free (just sign up for our mailing list).
• The user group event is mostly attended by beginners 
• The only really experienced Agilist present is the group’s host.
• The user group events are mostly talks by managers, coaches or trainers (in other words, they are a form of self-promotion).