Volunteers are the bones of SQLBits and keep us going strong! We just wanted to say an extra special thank you to you all! You all inspire us at Bits every day with your kindness and dedication to giving us that extra helping hand. All we can say is WOW – you all smashed it out of the park this year by getting involved and helping with both virtual AND in-person, we can reassure you your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed at SQLBits.
If you were debating being a volunteer at SQLBits next year, we suggest taking a read of what our volunteers have to say (and send us a message at helpers@sqlbits.com)
The wonderful long-time volunteer (and speaker) Cathrine Wilhelmsen said some lovely words in her blog about being a helper….
‘I had a huge smile on my face the whole time. It was an exhausting, but great week. I learned so much, met old friends, made new friends, had so much fun, enjoyed every moment and now I can’t wait for the next SQLBits.’
SQLBits Virtual – Image from Steph Martin @stephj_martin
Dr Victoria Holt wrote a blog about her experience as a helper, and the benefits of giving us a helping hand!
‘I have helped now for 7 years and it has been an amazing opportunity to help the community, network and learn loads from the high quality training. I always enjoy greeting attendees as they arrive for SQLBits and hope they will have as much fun as I do at the conference. It is a time when you can fully immerse yourself in data and the product and find out what exciting new features there are and what other members of the community have found to share. I would recommend volunteering to anyone as the experience you gain from this is very rewarding and it is good to give back to the SQL Community.’
SQLBits 2022 – Image from @SQLBits (The most volunteers yet!)
Dominic Adamczyk wrote a great LinkedIn Article about his days spent at SQLBits, showing the hardships and daily activities he did as a volunteer!
‘I’ve come to view SQLBits as an essential event for anyone interested in the future of the technology. The great thing about SQLBits is that’s run by the SQL community’
SQLBits Speak Easy – Image from @SQLBits
Rob Sewell did a wonderful job at collecting the views of all of our volunteers from a few years back in a blog, we have taken a few examples to showcase the impact being a volunteer can make!
‘I volunteer at SQLBits and in the wider Data Platform community for various reasons. The community is the glue in our industry and being part of that glue is both a privilege and an honour.’ – Paul Andrew
‘Volunteering gives you the experience of the effort & reward of running an event.. You build an appreciation of generating success, creating networks of colleagues and friends, being quick to react, and helps you walk away with the feeling of “I contributed to this”. Everyone should volunteer, even if its just once.’ – Ben Watt
‘it’s fun. We have a laugh, even on reception when it’s busy you get to joke with the attendees, speakers and other helpers.’ – Conan Farrell
The wonderful Bob Pusateri, wrote all about our ‘small army of volunteers’ in his blog containing what he loves about SQLBits…
‘It’s an amazing way to meet people and help a wonderful community-run event be the best that it can be. I can’t wait to connect with old friends and make new ones.’
SQLBits 2019 Daily Briefing! – Image from @sqldbawithbeard
We would love to hear your feedback about being a volunteer, or how you feel attending SQLBits for the first time as a volunteer. If you have any questions, send us a message at contactus@sqlbits.com