Technically Speaking

It all started with an idea during a panel session at the Microsoft MVP Summit earlier this year.  Simply stated, my thought was that sessions in or near the bar are almost always full.  Why don’t we do some sessions locally for all different types of technologists and geeks at brewpubs.  This way we can all network around beer and the technology du jour.

When I got home, I talked with Jes Borland (@grrl_geek) about the idea and if I remember she was on board from the word beer.  We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas to help determine if this was feasible or not.  Amazingly, it was very feasible.

After some discussion we enlisted another person to help out.  Mark Cyrulik (@mcyrulik) came on board almost as fast as Jes did, although I think that discussion was a few tweets.

Then came some paperwork and more brainstorming and as of this week, Tech on Tap spun up and we are racing toward our first event.

What is the idea?

Brewpubs are great places to network and socialize and technology is fun. Bring the two together and who knows what kind of learning might happen.

For more details about the organization and upcoming events visit Tech on Tap.

Our first session on Virtualization is Saturday November 12th 2011 at the Stone Cellar Brew Pub in Appleton.  We have an attendance limit for this event of 50 people.  If we get more signups than we can accommodate, that will help us work toward the next Tech On Tap Session.

Where are the details?

The details of the specific events, especially the first one are still being finalized and are coming soon.  Because this is our first event, it will likely take a little longer than we’d like, but should make going forward that much easier.

Thank you for all your help

Working on this project has been exciting and sometimes a bit scary, but Jes and Mark have been great partners in getting this rolling.  Without their help, and form filling skills, I do not think this would have been more than an idea.  You guys Rock!

My wife Laura is also at the top of my thank you list because she believed my idea was worth a shot and that I wasn’t crazy for going after it.  Sure I’m busy and have a lot on my plate, but what’s one more thing?  Thanks Honey.

We hope that others in the Fox Valley will find these sessions useful and share them with those they know.

Working in an IT shop of any size boils down to helping people with computer issues.  This simplification bothered me for a while because there were many different avenues that support or IT related activities could take, but helping people has been a root function of IT shops probably since the dawn of IT.

I still find myself cringing at some email subject lines or voicemail messages, or I did until recently.  Sure sometimes it still happens, but it is very rare as of late.

Community service, in both the technical and non-technical communities, has been floating around my brain for a while now and seems to be a good way to both give back to the community and to put the helping people portion of IT pro work back on the front page of the agenda.

Surely all of you who read this are glad that it is the 22nd of July so the sticky post about the Seminar I am participating in can hide from view, but it is this seminar that got me thinking for this post.  It is funny to admit that I haven’t been in this good a mood about giving a presentation ever.  Putting this seminar together and participating in the class to help attendees create (or update) their resume has been a great experience.  I have met and gotten to work with some great people and am in the hopes that tonight’s class goes well enough for future workshops to be discussed.

Is community service or pro-bono work a huge effort?  Yes.  Does it help to change your perspective on helping others?  Absolutely.  I hope to not only help those attending the class, but change the way I work with others at my job to help make their experiences better as well.

One event will not likely change all these things or improve all my typical IT faults but it is a star.  Not to mention, helping others just because you can, feels pretty good.

As an IT Manager, community service is a great thing to look for in a staff member.  Suggesting this to employees will likely cut into some time for other things, but can be worthwhile for all involved.  It might even become something you or your staff members begin to enjoy and look forward to.

Have a meeting with your team and discuss the possibility of community service if you aren’t doing so already.  The experience may improve more than your standing in the community.