ODTUG Pays It Forward

Each year as has been the tradition, ODTUG kicks off Kaleidoscope with a Community Service Day. In New Orleans, we painted an Elementary School. In Monterey, we rehabilitated a section of shoreline and earlier today we made various improvements, both inside and out, to Ron Brown Elementary School located in eastern D.C.

Was it hot? You better know it was. Washington D.C. is suffering through record heat. As important as the the actual improvements themselves is the spirit of teamwork the event fosters. I was able to spend time with Lucas Jellema, Mary Lou Dopart, Tim Tow and fellow ODTUG Board members, Jerry Ireland and Jeff Jacobs.

My group was tasked with cleaning and painting an outdoor recreation area. Here's a group shot. (I'm holding up the 'K')




I would certainly recommend arriving a day early to participate in ODTUG's Community Service Day.

Our journey continues...

Thoughts on Kaleidoscope 2010

In roughly three weeks, hordes of Oracle Developers will descend on Washington, D.C. for the annual pilgrimage to ODTUG Kaleidoscope.


We go there to learn from our peers and industry experts alike. We go there for hands-on training supervised by those who author the books we read. And in the case of Oracle Application Express 4.0, we go there to see history in the making.


But for those of us who have attended previous conferences, it also represents an opportunity to reunite with friends from across the country and around the world.  This can be just as important and beneficial as any aspect of the conference. It’s what separates us from the pack. Let’s start with Kaleidoscope’s Community Service Day. You won’t find anything like it at competing conferences. In the past two years, Kaleidoscope attendees have painted a New Orleans public school devastated by Katrina and helped protect a threatened stretch of California coastline. In Washington, D.C. we’ll make memories and friends as we partner with ‘D.C. Cares’ to refurbish a public school campus. Talk to those who participated in the past and they’ll tell you it was absolutely a highlight of their conference.


Once the actual conference begins, networking opportunities abound. Sign-up to be an Ambassador. Participate in “meet-ups” or “birds of a feather” events held throughout the week. At breakfast or lunch, strike up a conversation with your table-mates, who may well be a Duncan Mills, a Steven Feuerstein, a Dr. Paul Dorsey, a Peter Koletzke, or one of the multitudes of Oracle Aces and Ace Directors who have declared Kaleidoscope as their “can’t miss” summer event. And like you, they’re there to talk shop. Ask your questions. They’ll be sure to point you in the right direction.


At Kaleidoscope, whether the person next to you is from Paris, France or Paris, Texas….Portland, Oregon or Portland, Maine, don’t let the opportunity to network pass you by.


Our journey continues...