There have been quite a few posts in the SQL Server community recently announcing the Call for Nominations for the upcoming PASS Board of Directors elections. Thomas LaRock, Andy Warren, and Kevin Kline, among others have chimed in on the subject.

Despite the obvious risk of having a “me, too” kind of post, I’d like to offer a slightly different perspective on the subject. This post, while hopefully entertaining to everyone, is primarily targeted to the fence sitters, those who have thought about running for the Board but just haven’t quite made up their minds. Yes, I’m talking to you.

In this post, I’d like share with you the Top 5 Reasons You Should Run For the Board. I almost called this the Top 5 Benefits of Being on the PASS Board, since the directors are not compensated for their time except for the free admission into the conference and a nifty PASS shirt.

5. The influence

PASS is a worldwide organization. It has local user groups in communities all around the globe and members on every continent. (Ok, not on Antarctica. There once was, but it was overun by penguins.)

Members of the PASS SQL Server community represent a wide range of organizations from small businesses to global companies, from government and non-profit organizations to the private enterprises, from independent consultants to CIOs. The sun never sets on the PASS SQL Server community.

With such a presence, PASS has a great relationship with Microsoft and can help to provide conduits for helping SQL Server professionals and Microsoft connect better through webcasts, seminars, speaking engagements, surveys, and the like. PASS helps to define and organize the SQL Server community.

4. The direction

Do you have a vision for where you’d like see to the SQL Server community in 3 years, in 5 years, in 10 years? Would you like help define the direction for the PASS SQL Server community? As a member of the Board of Directors, you can.

And on the flip side, if there’s something you don’t like about PASS, don’t sit on the sideline and complain. Step up, get in the game, and do something about it.

3. The experience

Actively participating on the PASS Board of Directors is a bit like working out when you’re not used to exercising. It flexes muscles that you may not get to use in your day job.

Being a good or even great technologist requires a certain set of skills. But being a visionary, a leader, a manager, requires a very different set of skills. As a member of the board, you’ll get to stretch yourself and grow in ways that will make you a more well rounded professional.

You’ll be responsible for a creating your goals and objectives for the year, deciding how you will accomplish them, and ensuring that you make the most of the budget you have.

You’ll regularly work with other highly professional and talented people and your game will be elevated as a result.

2. The people

Speaking of the other people. PASS is absolutely full of great people. Smart people. Talented people. Nice people. People that are fun to be around. As a board member you’ll get to meet and work with lots of great people from around the world. This is reason enough to run.

1. The fun

And the number one reason you should consider running for the PASS Board of Directors is because it’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s exhilerating. It’s working with good people, doing good things for a great community.

Still not convinced?

If you still sitting on the fence and unsure whether you want to throw your hat in the ring, feel free to contact me at joew@webbtechsolutions.com. I’ll be more than happy to talk with you and share my some of experiences while on the PASS Board. I served for six years and I don’t regret it a bit!