President's File
December 2009
Rob Limbaugh - President

It’s that time of year to hear how we should be thankful… giving is better than receiving. It’s true. No argument here. But, what I hope, is that your ‘giving’ and ‘thanking’ extend beyond the obvious. What do I mean? Well, I mean towards DACS, of course. In what ways you ask? Excellent question!

DACS’ potential is so much greater than what is currently being realized. Our group gathering mainstays are currently the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and occasional workshops for members. We have our newsletter, website, recurring membership emails, and forums for regular member contact. We could do more than that.

Sure, not all our members are super programming gurus. Some of us are picture Picassos who can retouch the worst of photos. Others can barely work our old 35 mm cameras let alone a new digital one! Some of us are seasoned technology professionals, consultants. However, many of us are not super tech savvy but have other talents. Why not lend them to DACS?

This does not mean you have to become President. It does not mean you have to be a SIG leader. What it means is helping in a small way that benefits not only the members but also the community throughout the year. How so?

For starters the DACS Board is mostly driving the decisions and efforts. This is because there is a lack of appropriate committees that can run with ideas and make things happen. For example, we should—but currently don’t—have the following committees:

1. An events committee: This group can collectively help our ‘General Meeting’ run smoother and more professional. It would identify other area activities DACS could be involved in around the Western Connecticut area. These would be the people determining how to ‘run the show’ so to speak.
2. A scholarship committee: DACS should be awarding a scholarship on a regular basis to at least one area student based on technology involvement and achievement.
3. A resources committee: People in this committee would be finding deals to pass on to DACS members, supplies for meetings, obtaining and distributing prizes, and obtaining merchandise vendors requesting published product reviews
4. A membership committee: Makes sure members needs are met as expected. Makes sure all things members should know are communicated as quickly and effortlessly as possible. Assists to engage and involve members in direction of organization.

There may be more ideas, but these are just a few. In my mind, none are any more important that the others, although these are areas in which we are either very deficient or for which I would personally like to see change. I know WHY these things aren’t currently done: not enough people, time, or resources. What would be great is if there were two people for each of those ideas listed above… that’s eight persons!

Is there any time you can give to DACS?

ROB LIMBAUGH
relimbaugh@dacs.org