Our Resource Center is going through a facelift on Friday, September 25th. Thanks to Cathy Quaranta and Tom Zarecki, some WestConn students will be volunteering their time with a few of our members to help clean and repaint the walls and brighten things up. It won’t be long before we can proudly display the dozens of awards and plaques we have received over the past 25 years in the entrance, for all to see.
While all this is going on I will be airborne to Las Vegas to attend the APCUG annual convention, where I will have the opportunity to compare experiences with other user group leaders. I expect to return with some fresh ideas for DACS, just in time for a special Board meeting on Wednesday the 30th.
I am looking forward to launching a new Video Workshop series to be held at Charter Communications in Newtown, CT on Thursday Oct 22nd. I just completed the Charter Spectrum Community Vision 192 summer Advanced Training Course along with Lisa Leifels. I now have experience with and a better appreciation for what goes into a video production. I am excited about what we can all learn at this new DACS Video Workshop.
I have made arrangements to have our October 6th presentation recorded by a fellow graduate of the video training course at Charter. I am hopeful that this will become a regular occurrence for all future meetings.
The April Social Media Video is now available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpGJhO0k7i4. The May and June meetings will be available soon and also two Vintage videos from nearly 25 years ago because of the work done by Richard Teasdale to convert VHS tape to a digital format.
We have a new WCSU Marketing Intern. She will be assisting Cathy Quaranta and Tom Zarecki with Social Media and Public Relations, with the objective of creating more public awareness of DACS.
Thanks to Richard Teasdale for taking on the role of Recording Secretary and to Tom Zarecki for handling press releases. There are still many activities on the back-burner just waiting for someone like you to take ownership. We need you to add value and help shape the future of DACS. Here are just a few areas where we need your help:
- Program committee chairperson: Help arrange for new speakers, meeting previewers and reviewers. You will get to meet very interesting people in the process. Lisa Leifels will help you get started. Just tell me or Lisa that you may be willing to help, see Cathy Quaranta at the check-in table, or email us directly at programs@dacs.org. This position will look great on your resume!
- SIG/Workshop coordinator to coordinate workshop formation, venues, schedules, expedite meeting reviews.
- Membership committee: Members maintain the CiviCRM membership platform and ensure membership data is kept current. Explore and Implement ways to increase DACS membership.
- Newsletter & Website Editorial staff, authors for meeting reviews and other articles.
If you like what we are doing, please help to spread the word about DACS, our excellent presentations each month, our new video productions, and the workshops we run and co-sponsor with other groups. Use social media to spread the word. Help plan and participate in the Mad Hackers Technology & Innovation Fair on October 17th.
25th anniversary – We need your help! Let’s make this yearlong celebration a success. We want to create a much broader awareness of DACS as we participate in new activities, and create collectables of interest to DACS members and the general public. Talk about your ideas with Cathy Quaranta at the check-in table at our next general meeting or let her know by email.
From mobile to desktop, we inform, enlighten, and educate.
– Dick Gingras, President