Thoughts On A State of the Chapter Statement (and Doing More)

This is a follow up to a thought I voiced on Twitter last week – the value of a once a year “state of the chapter” message from each chapter (or at least the Orlando ones!). Before we cover that, some background. I’ve never been terribly happy with how PASS measures Chapters. Around 2007-2009 the […]

Thoughts on Speakers and Topics for PASS Chapters

After wrapping up my part of SQLSaturday Orlando this year I’ve been thinking on what if anything we might do to increase attendance at oPASS & MagicPASS. Attendance at both is reasonable right now, this is just me looking and thinking about what we could add to what we have now. Is more better? I’ll […]

Thoughts On Raising Funds and Spending Funds for PASS Chapters

Based on limited but practical experience I believe chapters typically work hardest to find speakers and sponsors, the latter being the main (often only) way that funds are raised for the chapter. Sometimes the sponsors give cash, sometimes they just provide the food. Many chapters have close to zero cash on hand, in part due […]

Super Early Bird Registration for the Networking Dinner at the 2015 PASS Summit

Looking for a reason to show up at the 2015 PASS Summit on Monday, or just want something fun to do on Monday night? Steve Jones and I are organizing the sixth annual networking dinner on Monday night, October 26, 2015. It’s a low key event. Show up and we’ll get you seated with some […]

#Summit14 Tweets

Thoughts on the 2014 PASS Summit From A Non-Attendee

I missed the Summit this year, but tried to follow along remotely via Twitter, PASSTV, and the blog posts I could find (look for a summary of those on Monday via PASSWatch). As someone who had attended every year since 2002 it was interesting. I know the Seattle Convention Center, I know what it feels […]

Questions for the Board Q&A

Each year for the past few years the PASS Board of Directors has conducted a Q&A session with members at the PASS Summit. I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I thought it was important to hear and answer questions when I served on the Board, and it’s useful as a member to ask […]

I Won’t Be At the PASS Summit This Year

Due to a minor health issue I’ve decided to – for once – be conservative and cancel the trip this year. I’ve attended every year since 2002 and it feels strange to not go. I’m sure you’ll understand it’s the people I’ll miss far more than the presentations. My friend Kevin Kline will be filling […]

Writing Fair and Useful Editorial Reviews Is Hard Work

One of my original goals was to be more reporter than editorial writer, but I’ve found that the editorial part is important too, though much harder to do. I’ve spent quite a few hours this week trying to write editorial comments to preface the summaries I’m doing of the minutes of the PASS Board of […]

Notes From The October 15, 2014 oPASS & MagicPASS Meeting (The Souza-Thon!)

Both groups met at a special joint meeting last night at Nova University, part of Operation Souza. Before I go into my usual notes, I want to say thank you to Mark Souza for traveling from Redmond for the meeting. He flew overnight to get here and had a 6 am flight the next morning, […]