There is a possibility that this may be the last issue of our Sacra Blue newsletter because we have not found an Editor to replace Chris Graillat, the present Editor. On that note, I would like to take some time here to thank the many volunteers that have helped the SPCUG during the period that I have been the Volunteer Coordinator. All of you volunteers have given many hours each month to keep things running at the SPCUG. Many of you work behind the scenes and are not appreciated for your efforts, but do so in the spirit of helping the group with information and services-you are recognized here.
Thank you Chris Graillat for your great work as our Editor-In-Chief during your term. Chris will be resigning effective April 15, or whenever the next issue hits the printer's desk. Chris filled a vital and very demanding role as Editor; many hours a month were spent getting our newsletter out to our general membership. Chris did a terrific job with the monthly issues, and in the face of very controversial changes that have happened to Sacra Blue and the group in recent months.
Eric Butow will also be taking a leave of absence from his SPCUG volunteer duties to focus more on new occupational opportunities. Eric has held many of our volunteer positions including Editor, and has always stepping in to fill an empty position that he could fit into his already busy schedule. Many times Eric volunteered for positions on a temporary basis just to keep the job slot active, until a permanent volunteer could take over. Thanks, Eric, for your dedication to the group. I wish you well with your new projects.
New Volunteers
Gary Sloan has volunteered to take over from Eric Butow as chapter/SIG coordinator. This is yet one more duty for Gary, who is now a VP for the main organization and Meeting Recorder, as well as President of the Roseville chapter. Thanks, Gary.
Ed Shimel has volunteered to be one of the phone callers for the SPCUG survey. Frank Leonard is arranging this survey and he will need 20 volunteers in all to make the actual calls to our general membership. Contact Frank if you can help with this project.
Welcome Ken Hopkins as the new Announcement Editor and Roy Korb as the new Index Editor- these are two new jobs presented by Ken Hopkins and created at a previous Steering Committee meeting. These new positions will help handle important future changes coming up for Sacra Blue. We still need a Digest Editor for this same project.
Tom Anderson is the newest volunteer, coming forth to step into the shoes of Meeting Report Editor. We have been waiting sometime to fill this position, so we certainly thank Tom for helping out with this editorial duty.
Volunteer Activity
Ken Hopkins and Milt Hull did some impromptu volunteer work for us at the Windows 2000 event here in Sacramento. The event was held at the Memorial Auditorium by Microsoft to unveil their latest and much advertised operating system. Ken and Milt attended the event, and were asked by Microsoft to help with registrations. Seems that the "Temp" works that Microsoft hired for this job didn't show up. Ken and Milt, having been involved as setup and operations people with many Microsoft events in the past, were naturals for stepping in to fill the vacant spots.
David Larson has the e-Commerce SIG officially started and several meetings have been held. Please contact David if you can attend the next meeting or have questions, information or suggestions. David is also going to need volunteers that have experience in e-Commerce or something to offer the new group, providing content for the meetings. If you have some related skills and a little time that you would be willing to volunteer, please contact David.
New Job Openings
Editor-In-Chief. Yes, we are going to need a new Sacra Blue Editor in April, as Chris Graillat will be resigning this very rewarding, but demanding, position. Chris has served us well for some time now and it's time to hand over the "blue pencil" to someone else looking for the experience and résumé benefits that come with this job. We all love our Sacra Blue and so we must think a lot of its Editor.
Education Training Coordinator. I don't have a job description for Educational Training Coordinator, because no one has written one to date-that would be your first assignment. You are welcome to talk to me (or I'm sure Eric Butow) about material for this job, as both Eric and I were on the original committee. The main idea is to expand our educational in-house and out-reach activities, to attract members and provide an additional community service.
Managing Editor. This job involves making calls to people who have pledged to write articles and do software and hardware reviews, remind them when their inputs are due. When software or books have been borrowed and not reviewed, attempt to retrieve the software or books.
Publicity Chairperson Assistant. This position involves contacting newspapers, periodicals, TV and institutions in an effort to give the SPCUG publicity, general exposure and a means to interact with the community.
Web Team Member. We can always use more members for the eBlue Team. If you have some HTML editing experience, your help is needed. If not, and you just have a desire to learn basic HTML in an effort to help us, contact Brian Smither and we will teach you basic HTML editing for this project at the monthly General Meeting.
I am sure you will find volunteer work for the group very rewarding, and it could even create some interesting opportunities for you. You may be surprised how much little time is involved in some of the positions that hold great benefit for the group. Please take a look at the jobs openings above. If you think you can help the group, give me a call or drop me an e-mail.
