PASS on Andy M Mallon - AM²

FAQs about the dissolution of PASS

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 12:00:14 -0500

In my prior post, I talked about how all signs pointed to it being Closing Time for PASS. Since then, PASS has announced the organization will “cease its operations and pursue dissolution.”

TL;DR;

The short version is that on 15 January, 2021, PASS will shut down all operations, including various technology assets, such as the SQLSaturday site, User Group tools, etc.

Closing Time

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 10:59:37 -0500

Open letter from Mindy Curnutt to the PASS Membership. (zoom)

This year, I’ve written a couple of critical posts targeted at PASS. If you follow me on Twitter, you know I’ve been critical there, too.

Last week, the PASS Board of Directors had their December meeting. Coming out of that meeting, Mindy Curnutt (blog|twitter) resigned from her position on the board citing “morally wrong” decisions and an experience that I will describe as being excluded from participation on the Board. We don’t know what those “morally wrong” decisions are, but I trust Mindy is not over-reacting and her concerns are legitimate.

Supporting the LGBTQ #SQLFamily

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:54:39 -0400

I won’t be at PASS Summit this year, so unlike last year, I won’t be organizing an LGBTQ Meetup at PASS Summit. I’m hoping that even without the meetup, all my LGBTQ #SQLFamily friends will still get together for some fun and networking.

Following up on the LGBTQ Meetup at PASS Summit

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 10:13:51 -0500

It’s been almost two weeks since the LGBTQ Meetup that I organized at PASS Summit, and I wanted to offer a bit of follow-up and commentary on the event. Why did I wait two weeks before writing this follow-up? Well, tomorrow is American Thanksgiving, so I wanted to take a moment to talk about how thankful I am for the community’s support.

LGBTQ Meetup at PASS Summit 2018

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 09:14:30 -0400

In 2016, I organized an (unofficial) PASS Summit LGBT Meetup. It was a bit of a last-minute party, and more than once I found myself saying, “Worst case scenario, I’ll end up having a chill cocktail party with some friends.” Turns out, I under estimated myself: I sold out of (free) tickets, the room was at full capacity, we raised over $3000 for The Trevor Project, and everyone had a great time.

Ten tips for PASS Summit Attendees

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 11:54:54 -0400

I won’t be at PASS Summit this year, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give advice to those who will be there. I got an email asking for advice for Summit First-Timers, and after sending over the list of tips, I figured I’d write a blog post on the topic while I was thinking about it.

Change in plans for LGBT+ Meetup at PASS Summit 2017

Sun, 01 Oct 2017 14:24:20 -0400

Unfortunately, due to a change in plans, I’m not going to be at PASS Summit this year, so I won’t be hosting this meetup in 2017. Hopefully, next year the event will be back!

Still want to meet up?

If you’re bummed that this meetup isn’t happening (I know I am), I have two suggestions:

LGBT+ Meetup at PASS Summit 2017

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:27:26 -0400

UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to a change in plans, I'm not going to be at PASS Summit this year, so I won't be hosting this meetup in 2017. Check out details here.

Last year, I organized an (unofficial) PASS Summit LGBT Meetup. It was a bit of a last-minute party, and more than once I found myself saying, "Worst case scenario, I'll end up having a chill cocktail party with some friends." Turns out, I under estimated myself: I sold out of (free) tickets, the room was at full capacity, we raised over $3000 for The Trevor Project, and everyone had a great time.

In June, the LGBT+ community celebrates Pride Month, to coincide with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. Pride Month gives us a time to celebrate that we are proud to be ourselves, and that we aren’t ashamed to identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, straight, another label, no label, etc. Pride is a time to build our community, to promote equality, to be accepted, and to just have fun.

SQLSaturday Boston 2017 Roundup

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 07:00:45 -0500

SQL Saturday Night Fever

SQLSaturday Boston was February 25. I was invited into the organizing team in 2015, and this was my third time helping to put together the event. But this time was different. This time, I was running the show. I wanted to do a quick round-up of some of the things we did differently this time–I’ll dive right in with the most important thing first…

December SQLSaturdays--DC & Providence, RI

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 13:08:19 -0400

Next month, I’ll be speaking at two SQLSaturday events.

Washington, DC - #SqlSat574 - December 3, 2016

Being a DBA is like play Pac-San. Eat all the LUNs before the SAN Admin chases you away.

The DC SQL Saturday was the first SQL Saturday I spoke at–so this one will always be a special event for me. Hopefully, I’ll be able to speak at this event every year.

(Unofficial) PASS Summit 2016 LGBT Meetup

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 09:00:51 -0400

PASS Summit has tons of opportunities to meet like-minded folks, in addition to seeing old friends. There are the Women In Tech and Birds of a Feather Luncheons. There is the Community Zone. Friends catch up over coffee and meals. There are vendor parties. There is SQL Karaoke.

#sqlcares, #sqlwish, and #sqlfamily

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:00:34 -0500

I’ve been using SQL Server for a dozen years now, but I’ve only been starting to make friendships and build relationships within the SQL Server community in the last couple of years. More importantly, it has only been in the last year that I would say I have really gotten involved to the point where I feel I am part of the SQL Server family. This post isn’t about my journey, but rather it is about the incredible family of which I have found myself a member.

Speaking at SQL Saturday #465 in Providence, RI

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:00:55 -0500

On December 5, I’m speaking at QL Saturday #465 in Providence, RI. My session is called “Shortcuts from an Impatient DBA."

This is an expanded version of my lightning talk from the New England SQL Server User Group earlier this year. It went over so well, I decided to expand it into a full-length session.

Speaking at SQL Saturday #470 in DC

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:00:43 -0500

On December 5, I’m speaking at SQL Saturday #470 in Washington DC. My session is called “Wheaton’s Law for Technology Pros” and is based on my post “Watch your step! Don’t become a DBA-hole.”

I’m really looking forward to it for lots of reasons, but in particular it’s my first SQL Saturday session. Yea, sure, I helped organize SQL Saturday Boston BI this year, so it’s not my first rodeo–but it’s my first official time speaking at a SQL Saturday. Also exciting? My session is not at the same time as Brent Ozar’s (blog|twitter)–I don’t have to compete with him. Score.

Thank you #sqlsatbostonbi 2015

Sun, 18 Oct 2015 10:16:31 -0400

Yesterday was SQL Saturday #437 or as we call it, SQL Saturday Boston BI Edition. It was my first time helping to organize a SQL Saturday (or any event like this). It was an honor to be asked to join the organizing team, knowing that they already put on some impressive events.