Why Haven’t You Changed Everything?

PASS
The first in what I hope will be many regular reports on what I'm doing on the PASS board. To answer the question that I've already been asked (who had 47 hours in the pool?), first, I'm not on the board yet. I was elected to it and my term starts in January. So, don't expect a lot in the way of ongoing structural changes at the organization instigated by me. Second, I'm the lowest of the low on the board (after I'm actually on the board), so I won't be making a whole lot of changes at all (whether I wanted to or not). Third, the board is a board, a bunch of people, who get to vote on things, so even if I were able to call a…
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Thoughts on PASS Board Nomination Process: #passvotes

PASS
Having very recently gone through the nomination process for the PASS Board, I thought I would share a few things about it. Overall, it was a great experience. I feel that I really had to stretch to meet everything required of me. It was quite difficult to put together all the campaign material. Deciding on who to ask to give you recommendations was also very difficult. All, very much, as it should be. We're talking about stepping up to run for the board of, essentially, a multi-million dollar corporation. It should be hard to do that. The interview process with the Nomination Committee was also no picnic. Most of these people had already served on the board, so they knew exactly what you, the nominee, was going to get into,…
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A Manager or a Community Person: #PASSVotes

PASS
I am running for the PASS Board. You can read more about what I've posted and what others have to say here on this page. Today I want to ask you a question. Should someone on the board be a manger or should they be a community person? Let's avoid the easy answer of both for a moment, not because that's the wrong answer, but because it's the right one. Clearly you need a mix of these skills to be on the board. But, where you fall on my simplistic question could determine the kind of person you want to vote for on the board. Let's discuss it a bit. According to Wikipedia (deal with it), a board of directors is "meant to oversee the activities of a company or organization."…
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PASS Votes and So Should You

PASS
To put it bluntly, you need to go cast a vote for Allen Kinsel for the PASS Board. In his own words, here's why Allen is running. Why am I supporting Allen? First, he's a friend. But ignore that. This isn't, or at least shouldn't be, a popularity contest. It's about getting what you want, what you need, out of the PASS organization. I absolutely believe that Allen has the best interests of this organization at heart. He wants to make a difference for the better. More than that, I've seen him working as a volunteer within the organization where he does make a difference, does make things better. He brings passion to the job. If you've ever volunteered to help run any kind of organization, you'll know that one…
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PASS Elections 2012

PASS
Yeah, it's that time again. And we have a magnificent slate of people running. I mean truly amazing and wonderful people. I personally know each and every one of them. I've worked with them or watched them work on projects over the years. PASS has a true embarrassment of riches this time. Which... is problematic for me. I know them all. I respect them all, but I have to pick and choose... I can't do it. I really can't. Yeah, I'll finally vote. I ultimately put pen to paper (or, really, click on some boxes on the screen) and make my mark. I believe in democratic processes and every vote really does count. And if you're voting, regardless of who you vote for, your vote is not "thrown away." That only happens…
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PASS Nomination Committee

PASS
For some reason, which isn’t completely clear to me, we’re voting for part of the members of the Nomination Committee who will work their buns off (make no mistake, this is not a glamor posting) to pick and choose from the people applying to be possible candidates for the PASS Board to arrive at a final slate. This voting opens today, although you can’t seem to vote from the web site, but have to wait for an email to show up (not yet in my Inbox). Regardless of the confusion I feel about this, I’m going to vote for the people I think will do a good job. You should too if you’re a member of PASS. I know almost every one of these people personally. Any of them will…
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PASS Board Elections

Professional Development
Here is the list of suckers, uh, I mean, candidates, that actually want to subject themselves to the board. Look these people over, weigh them, and vote well. Things are running a little different this year. The elections are being held between the 6th and the 20th of December. The PASS Community is an amazing thing and these people are going to potentially improve it, maintain it, or degrade it. If you’ve attended any of the 24 Hours of PASS, the PASS Summit, SQL Rally, SQL Saturday, your local user group, and you’ve received something positive from any or all of them, then you’ve seen the benefits of the Professional Association for SQL Server. If you want to see PASS improved, or at least maintained, then it’s up to you…
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PASS Elections

PASS
There are a lot of things I'd like to say about the PASS elections. I was on vacation last week when the news about the slate of candidates broke. I've gone through a lot of emotions thinking about this, which is funny, because, really, what does it matter? But, because of the people, and let's face it, PASS is nothing without the people involved, it does matter. But, I've decided to say as little as possible because I'm not convinced I can add constructively to the conversation and that is what is most needed at this time. First, I want to endorse a few candidates. The people I'm going to endorse, I'm endorsing because I know them personally. I've worked with them, I've talked to them, I've read their stuff.…
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Steve Jones to Run for PASS Board

PASS
I couldn't hide the lead. Steve Jones (blog|twitter) has announced he's running for the PASS board. I'm excited. I'm almost as excited as if I were going to run. Steve is not simply a major influencer in what we call the SQL Community. He brings two things to the party that I think are going to make him very successful on the board. First, he gets things done. He just does. He's one of those guys that seems to keep it together, just enough, to accomplish stuff. Second, he has real ideas. He's not someone who is simply going to iron out a wrinkle or three at the Summit. He's going to propose stuff that will make a difference. Put those two things together and I think we've got reason to…
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PASS Board Nominations

PASS
If you haven't heard, please allow me to let you in on a little secret. The Professional Association of SQL Server users (PASS) is holding open nominations for the board. If you are interested in running for the board or know someone who should run for the board, get to this location as soon as possible and get their name in. I feel that PASS does a lot for individual database users all over the world. I know people who take the contrary position and say that PASS doesn't do anything for them. If you're of that opinion, that's great. As a matter of fact, if you're of that opinion, I'd suggest you should run for the board. Now is your chance to make a difference. Now is the time…
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