You know it was just the other day that I had a conversation with a friend about tooting your own horn. We discussed how uncomfortable that made us both feel and how we would prefer that we didn’t have to be involved but that it was okay if someone else did the tooting. Hmm that takes on a new meaning if read out of context. In order for some things to in my immediate future to make more sense I need to take a moment, feel uncomfortable and toot my horn.
Not too long ago I accepted a volunteer position with PASS. I will be serving as the Mid Atlantic Regional Mentor.
Now I know what you are thinking Mid Atlantic you live in TN. This is true but as we all know the world has gone virtual and there are plenty of things I can do to help. Mid Atlantic includes VA, PA, WV, and MD. There are 10 chapters and I will be sharing the duties with one of my #SQLFamily Joey D’Antoni (twitter | blog). So my duties are to provide support to the existing chapters, help mentor folks in the community, spread the word about Pass & Summit 2013, help with setting up new chapters and what I like to call general all around cheer leading (which as a team member I am pretty good at).
I am sure this is not all it will end up being but you know when I believe in something and I want to help there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do. I have a nice skill set that I am willing to share and I am always ready to try something new. I am so excited. No travel budget, no expense account just access to a great community and an opportunity to pay if forward. There are opportunities to attend events, you know given that I can afford the expenses. So I say “BRING IT!”
So here is what was sent out in a release
Tamera Clark is originally from Kokomo/Lafayette Indiana but now resides in Nashville, TN. For most of her career she’s spent her time in the trenches taking on responsibilities far outside the scope of her job description. It was the early stages of her Microsoft SQL Server career that she discovered PASS and the SQL community. Once comfortable in her new skin she felt it was important to start paying it forward. She volunteers at every opportunity including co-leader of the Nashville chapter, working with WIT, and lending a hand or presenting at SQL Saturday events across the nation.Tammy and her husband are both SQL Server professionals and enjoy experimenting, testing and debating over many of the Microsoft technologies, and that is just for fun. When not working she spends her time nerding out in the kitchen, tending to a huge garden including canning the harvested goods or she can be found pinned to her couch by a loving basset hound or 2 and a rescued beagle that all think she’s the best.
Email: RM.US-MidAtlantic@sqlpass.org
Twitter: @tameraclark
A funny story about this release. Karla (twitter | blog) asked me for a photo and bio. I told her I could accomplish that. Kerry bought me a set of studio lights for my birthday and I hadn’t had much time to play with them. So what happens? I get sick and can’t possibly have a picture taken I look terrible. Finally after several days I got the stuff out, rearranged the living room, sat up the lighting and took a bunch of test shots. When Kerry came home of course I now had help. <meshakeshead> After 3 shirt changes the final picture was what I laughed and said “time for the old stand by pose, the Captain Morgan”. You see I worked in a photo studio and lab for a short time way back when. It was there I learned so many great things and that pose is by far the most useful. For some reason you look stupid standing there but it tilts your body at just the right angle, leans your head forward and all around makes for a great head and shoulder shot. After I process the pictures and remove the bags from under my eyes (yes I love Photoshop) I have to figure out which one is the “best” so I send them to my friends and let the voting begin. 2 pictures were winners and I made the final pick. Yes that is the Captain pose.
Thanks for listening to me ramble and let me know if you too want to volunteer.
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