Our December meeting was a time for a lot of changes:
- New location, the Hampton Inn in Lake Mary. It’s further north in a good tech area, great access, decent parking, decent room.
- New leaders. Well, sort of. Jack Corbett had been co-President for a year, but now he’s the sole big dog, and has Karla Landrum working with him on sponsorship and speakers
- The first real ‘social’ event, spouses invited to a dinner and gift only meeting, no technical stuff
- The first time in 3-1/2 years that I wasn’t involved, just a plain attendee!
The meeting format was a light dinner, salad and ziti at round tables, probably about 50 total in attendance. Nice to sit and just chat, only negative was the room was a bit cramped, hard to move around once it filled up. Jack, Karla, and Kendal Van Dyke ran through some quick slides, reviewing upcoming meetings (I’ll let Jack share that) and some stuff on sponsors and then SQLRally. We took a break, then did a gift exchange, with all the gifts provided by sponsors and/or oPASS. The meeting ran until about 8:15, ending with the big raffle for an Xbox.
As I watched it struck me that change is good. Not always comfortable. I miss being involved, worry that some of the changes won’t be for the better, feel like I’m slacking for not doing more. All selfish, all human! But as an attendee I think the change is good. Time to try some new things that would be out of my comfort zone, bring a different flavor to the meetings via Jack’s leadership style, and time for me to watch and learn, both technology and what works or doesn’t work as they try new things.
As an side, one of the things I think PASS doesn’t do enough is drive more leader change at the local level. Running a chapter is fun and rewarding, but it’s also a grind. For all that, I suspect it’s common to have ‘leaders for life’ because of a combination of no one stepping up and not wanting to step down. I don’t know that change should be mandatory, but maybe it should be encouraged. Nothing says a leader can’t take a break and then loop back for another term, rested and enthused.
A good meeting, and I’m looking forward to the 2011 version of oPASS.
SQLAndy 
Being the seasoned expert that you are, would like to know more on what changes you foresee maybe not being for the better. Hearing it after the fact is usually not very helpful, so your guidance would be much appreciated now versus later.
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Being the seasoned expert that you are, would like to know more on what changes you foresee maybe not being for the better. Hearing it after the fact is usually not very helpful, so your guidance would be much appreciated now versus later.
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It was a great meeting. I think everyone had fun – which was the point. I know getting to reacquaint with the ones I know was a highlight.
Andy, it will be a change for you and change – by its nature – brings an element of unknown. You have done a great job getting the group together and pulling in fantastic people. From the outside looking in, you have your hands pretty full. Your involvement with PASS would be enough for most. But this is letting go of your baby – one that you nurtured to life. I have considered stepping down over here in Tampa – but no one wants to take it up – I have asked. But letting go would be tough. In part, my role in the group has defined me within the community.
I am excited to see what you choose next. I live in awe of what you have accomplished so far – so anything new would be gravy. Thank you for all you have done for Orlando, for Florida and for PASS in general. Bon Voyage for your next endeavor.
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It was a great meeting. I think everyone had fun – which was the point. I know getting to reacquaint with the ones I know was a highlight.
Andy, it will be a change for you and change – by its nature – brings an element of unknown. You have done a great job getting the group together and pulling in fantastic people. From the outside looking in, you have your hands pretty full. Your involvement with PASS would be enough for most. But this is letting go of your baby – one that you nurtured to life. I have considered stepping down over here in Tampa – but no one wants to take it up – I have asked. But letting go would be tough. In part, my role in the group has defined me within the community.
I am excited to see what you choose next. I live in awe of what you have accomplished so far – so anything new would be gravy. Thank you for all you have done for Orlando, for Florida and for PASS in general. Bon Voyage for your next endeavor.
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Karla, I was (and am) reluctant to talk you out of changes, and wish I had left that out – good for you and Jack to try things, the worst – worst – is that some won’t work. Odds are good that some will, and that is worth the effort. I’ll send you a note offline.
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Karla, I was (and am) reluctant to talk you out of changes, and wish I had left that out – good for you and Jack to try things, the worst – worst – is that some won’t work. Odds are good that some will, and that is worth the effort. I’ll send you a note offline.
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Pam, thanks for the note, I appreciate it! Not sure what comes next, maybe just deeper focus on PASS, though I have a few other interests I’d like to pursue – we’ll see!
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Pam, thanks for the note, I appreciate it! Not sure what comes next, maybe just deeper focus on PASS, though I have a few other interests I’d like to pursue – we’ll see!
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