RE: *** ADMIN: Al Barsa Challenge ... 1 day left

David should really fill this in, as he's on the committee, but here's my short take:

The main function of the Education Foundation is to encourage educators to attend the conference. COMMON usually donates several full conference registrations to the Foundation. The Foundation raises money to combine with these badges to help defray the costs of an educator to attend the conference. Educators are usually from community technical colleges that have trouble paying for their attendance.

The Foundation has other activities as well. They also grant some scholarship money to undergraduate students who are studying some computer / business discipline.

Having educators attend the conference is important to the community. Where will the community come from, after all, if there are no educators and hence no students, and hence no potential community.

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces+dkimmel=rjssoftware.com@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces+dkimmel=rjssoftware.com@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe Pluta
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 4:57 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: *** ADMIN: Al Barsa Challenge ... 1 day left

I see the value, Pete. I wasn't trying to diminish the effort, which is why I haven't offered an opinion until this last day. But since you're asking, it's not the venue in and of itself. I can't think of a more appropriate conference to honor Al's memory, given how involved he was with COMMON. I just have a slight disconnect with a scholarship that actually ends up paying the institution. If the focus is truly just to get more attendees, then what would really draw me in would be if the scholarship money went towards transportation and lodging, and COMMON waived the conference fee. That would be a wonderful joint effort and would allows the money raised in Al's name to benefit even more recipients.

And maybe that's how it works already, I don't know for sure. I couldn't really find how the money is spent, and that's why I put the question out there. If that was the case, I for one would be more inclined to participate.

Joe

Just my own 2 cents....

If you see no value to the community in members being educated in the
latest Power and IBM i technologies then it probably wouldn't have
value to you. But education and person to person contact in a
community is a thing that is increasingly lacking in this world,
particularly in IT where we go to the Internet feeding trough daily to get our education.
Sending someone to a conference not only educates them but teaches
them the value of person to person community building.

Would your mind change if it was sending them to the RPG& DB2 Summit
or RPG World or an IBM conference?

It's not that Common is the only alternative but the *value* is in the
face to face meeting that someone might not have the financial
wherewithal to handle (especially in these economic times). And,
despite the rumors, there isn't any Common brainwashing or drinking
the Koolaid that goes on with the recipient ;-)

Pete Helgren
Value Added Software, Inc
www.petesworkshop.com
GIAC Secure Software Programmer-Java


On 12/15/2011 10:45 AM, Joe Pluta wrote:

I haven't donated. I have my own charities, and I'm not a member of
COMMON. Rather than point to the dollar amount, how about taking one
last shot to explain how these funds will benefit the community at
large? I mean, it's a nice idea to send someone deserving to COMMON,
but the money eventually ends up going to COMMON. So tell me how
this helps the community. If you can convince me, you may be able to
convince a couple of other recalcitrants as well.

Joe

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