I was just asked how many times I’ve been to the PASS Summit. This year will be my 12th consecutive one. That made me start thinking. At my very first Summit, I met a couple of volunteers for PASS (Allen Kinsel was one of them, I’ll blame him forever). They were having so much fun that I decided to volunteer. I’ve been volunteering now for eleven years. I couldn’t stop. Here’s what I’ve done over the years at PASS:
Book Review Committee (my first PASS “job”)
Editorial Committee (I wrote stuff)
Editor of the SQL Standard (I had other people write stuff)
First-timer Mentor (I wasn’t very good at this one)
First-timer Event… Chair? (I got up in front of the room, this one might not count)
Founder of SQL Kilt Day (and we all know, this one is the most important)
Ambassador (they help tell you where your room is at Summit, did this several times, it’s fun)
Chapter Leader (hell, Chapter Founder along with some good friends)
SQLSaturday organizer (woof)
Program Committee (single hardest job I’ve done with PASS)
Director (in charge of the Chapters portfolio)
Executive Vice President (currently serving and loving it, even though it’s not easy)
Holy crap. That’s been a busy eleven years. I may have missed one or two positions along the way.
Why am I posting this? Because my engagement, one time, at the PASS Summit, led me to do all these things with this wonderful organization. Quite literally, PASS changed my life for the better. I’ll bet it can for you too. If you’re not attending Summit this year, I encourage you to reconsider. It’s not too late to register. Even if you don’t go to the event, please consider volunteering. If you go to Summit, be sure you engage with as many people as you can. You never know what will happen.