A Simple Thank You

         

In case you didn’t notice or have been on vacation for the last few days there has been quite the discussion going on in the SQL Community about the PASS Board of Directors election. I was going to write a blog post about my opinions on the elections but I’m pretty sure it’s all been said. Matter of fact here’s my favorite blogs on it.

Kendal van Dyke

Stuart Ainsworth

I don’t have anything that needs to be said about the election that has not been said already. Ok so what the hell is this blog post about then? I wanted to focus on some of the great things that PASS has done for me. Perhaps I’m wrong to mention the good things they have done when it seems like all they do is make mistakes but I guess it’s just in my happy nature to do so. Please do not think this post is in relation to any specific people out there. It’s just my way of saying thank you.

1. Thank you for giving us a world renowned summit where we can learn and socialize as Database professionals.

2. Thank you for supporting chapters. Working with the local people to get things done and encouraging others to start chapters.

3. Thank you for learning transparency. While so many mention that we still have not reached the goal of full transparency. In the 5 years I’ve been volunteering you have made huge strides and I know you will continue to do so.

4. Thank you for your time and hard work. Just because something isn’t done or responded to in a timely manner doesn’t mean people did not work on it and put lots of effort into it.

5. Thank you for helping me to meet and socialize with some of the greatest people I’ve ever met. As well for the countless others that have met at summits or chapter meetings.

6. Most importantly thank you to the volunteers of this organization. Not every project you work on goes as planned and many that you put your time and heart into don’t work out as you expect. But pushing on and keeping going is what makes this a great organization.

Many of you are going to be at SQL Saturday #51 this weekend with many of the Board members. While I want and expect you to tell them what they are doing wrong. Let’s try and keep in mind some of the things that have been done right. Perhaps even a thank you is in order not only for the good things they have done but for the mistakes they have made. None of us would be here if we didn’t make mistakes.

Volunteers and the Community

It’s been more than a month since I updated the blog.  I’ve been working hard this year to keep blogging consistently but the last month has thrown some monkey wrenches into my plan. 

This weekend I got to work with some great volunteers at Photo Camp Utah.  Many of the volunteers spent much of there day missing out on some great sessions.  They did this not for any reward or recognition but simply because they wanted to help others.  The organizers of Photo Camp have put in 100’s of hours planning and organizing and as much as Jeremy would like to say he just nagged all of us he was the driving force of the event.  Which is crucial in making a great event.  Next time your on a photowalk and your around Jeremy or any of the great volunteers to Photo Camp make sure to thank them for the time they put in. 

This is true for my fellow volunteers in the PASS community as well.  Right now there are a group of people that are getting together to meet and make a great PASS community.  They gave up time with there family to help others not asking anything in return. 

So as you attend SQL Saturdays, Code Camps, Photo Camps or anything where people are volunteering make sure to take a minute and thank those that give so much in return for so little. 

pat

A quick reminder as well.  Utah Code Camp is taking place on March 27th.  Come join us for some great presentations!