Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:59:44 -0400
Reply-To: "Andrew T. Kuligowski" <kuligowskiconference@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: "Andrew T. Kuligowski" <kuligowskiconference@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: What's still missing from SAS Global Forum 2012???
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SAS Global Forum is less than a week away. We’re ready to welcome you to
Orlando, Florida … well, we’re ALMOST ready for you. It seems we still
need some eager volunteers to assist in making the conference a success.
What's still missing from SAS Global Forum 2012??? That talented, eager,
and large pool of volunteers that makes the conference what it is! Right
now, we have a talented, eager, and small to medium pool of volunteers ...
WE NEED YOU!
I’m suspecting that people might be interested in helping out, but are
intimidated and may not realize what skill sets are required, or what
rewards are available. Let me assure you, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO PLAY A
ROLE AT THIS CONFERENCE, WITHOUT MISSING OUT ON BEING AN ATTENDEE AT THE
CONFERENCE!!
Can you open and close a door / turn on and off the lights? You can be a
Session Coordinator. We need folks to make sure that the doors don’t slam
in the middle of a talk, and those same folks usually bring the lights up
at the end of the talk – in those rooms where the lighting isn’t simply
kept constant.
Can you tell time? You can be a Session Coordinator. We need people to
track the time, and inform the speaker via flip cards how much time they
have left.
Can you stand in front of a podium and read off a pre-written introduction
for our speakers? I know not everyone is willing to do this, but if you
can, You can be a Session Coordinator.
Can you tidy up after your fellow attendees? You can be a Session
Coordinator, helping to ensure that empty glasses and soda (or pop, if you
prefer) cans aren’t left laying around in the rooms all day. (Of course,
as our attendees are increasingly conscious of being neat and usually tidy
up after themselves, this shouldn’t take much time at all!)
Can you pay attention to each speaker, comparing their style & content &
visual aids against the “average” speaker. You can be an Evaluator. Please
note that this role does require you to have knowledge in the area that you
are evaluating so that you can determine if the speaker knows their stuff
or not.
Can you play a musical instrument? Ride a unicycle? Draw or paint? Good!
Mind you, we don’t actually need anyone to perform these particular
talents at this year’s conference, but they’re still good skill sets to
have and you should be proud.
Let’s look at the other sign of the coin : “What’s in it for me??”
You’ll get my eternal thanks. (I don’t see a lot of people stepping
forward yet.)
You’ll get to wear a ribbon designating your status, so all attendees will
know you’re part of what is making this event successful. (OK, that’s a
couple of more folks …)
You’ll will be thanked with a small token of our appreciation at the Monday
mixer. (I’m sure no one is signing up just to get the gift, BUT it’s still
nice to be able to recognize you by giving it to you.)
AND …
(everyone forgets about this little perque but it’s the one I always
used to justify my participation …)
You’ll have a guaranteed spot in the room you’re helping out in, no matter
how crowded it gets!! Think of how you can tell your boss that you had a
front-row seat for the talk that proved to be most crowded in your
preferred area!!
Want more information? Go out and check:
http://www.sascommunity.org/wiki/Volunteer_as_a_Session_Coordinator (You
can also link to this page via popup window at the page listed below.)
Ready to sign up? Go out and check:
http://support.sas.com/events/sasglobalforum/2012/volunteer.html
If you have a question regarding volunteering, please contact
volunteer@sasglobalforum.org
I’m looking forward to seeing ALL of you at SAS Global Forum in Orlando
(Please note that you can still register via the web today at
http://support.sas.com/events/sasglobalforum/2012/register.html; as of
tomorrow, you can still attend but you’ll have to sign up on site – on site
registration begins at 1pm on Saturday.)
Andrew T. Kuligowski
Conference Chair, SAS Global Forum 2012