MJCS (Member of the Jamaica Computer Society) Benefits

Well, because of the nature of the job at the time, no one placed any conditions on our attendance, so basically we were free to do whatever we wanted. So, we went along - all 6 of us - and, I can't speak for anyone else, but I had a ball!

The banquet was the Thursday night, which we missed because my manager (who I traveled down with that year) left approximately 6:30pm that evening. That put us in Ocho Rios at 8:00pm or so - right about the time this banquet was to start. Now, not knowing what this whole "banquet-thing" was about - and not really caring because I have no love for the dress-up skin-up kind of do - I didn't mind missing it one bit. (Besides, I had taken nothing really appropriate to wear.) Anyhow, the happy six of us wandered over to the hotel around 9:00pm (we stayed at SandCastles that year) to grab some food and to hang around drinking free "juice". (That's part of the whole thing, isn't it?)

The next morning (Friday morning), I decided that I was going to try to be a good girl and sit in on at least two of the sessions. Well, I want to tell you that I lasted probably halfway through the 2nd session before I just couldn't stay awake anymore. So, I grabbed my novel and hit the beach. (I mean, that's part of the whole thing, right?) By now, I was beginning to get the picture that this conference wasn't all fun and games; but I was just too tired and too excited about the whole thing to even think about it too much. The sun and sea were talking to me anyhow; I'd think about it later.

Of course, I forgot about it after that. After lunch, we took in the exhibition hall (and the exhibitions) and then hung around drinking again. Then, it was dinner and the famous (or infamous, depending on which way you look at it) Moore's party at the Ruins. And what a party that was... I had a BALL! We must have left there after 2:30am the next morning.

As a result, you can imagine the late start we got the next morning. So, the sessions were out again - imagine us trying to stay awake in some "boring" session. Ha! So, another day spent drinking and chatting. I think I even got into the water at some point. Don't remember much now... by this time I was in a constant state of euphoria - all the Pina Coladas and all.

Saturday night, I was given to understand, was the live show. I believe it was Rita Marley that year. I didn't really stick around to hear her sing, I was too preoccupied with how much fun I was having. Sunday morning was another late start and before I knew it, it was pack up and go home time.

By the time the next conference came around, I was beginning to remember my thoughts that conference wasn't all fun and games. It was in 1995 that I approached Wendy Morris in the secretariat at conference about what else there was. Now I know how starved the society is for volunteers - but they took me by surprise, welcoming my interest with such gusto. Within a few months, Sonia Bennett (the then manager of the Secretariat) was inviting me to sit on the Membership Committee.

It was at the 1996 conference in Montego Bay that I was given the responsibility (along with other committee members, but me primarily) to man the newly conceptualized and poorly supported Membership Booth. That year, I spent all day Friday and Saturday in the Booth (except for about 2 hours when I sneaked away to visit Rose Hall Great House).

I guess they were impressed with my "dedication" because they asked me to sit on the 1997 conference planning committee. So I spent 1997 conference working also. After that, however, I came to the decision that I could make a more substantial contribution concentrating on the Membership Committee. It was out of this decision that the Membership Bullets - "Camille style" - was born not to mention the new and constantly improving Membership Booth.

Guys and Dolls! I guess what I'm trying to tell you, with this epistle, is what I get out the society as a member. Being MJCS has nothing to do with what tangible benefits the society has to offer. Those are incidental (as limited as they may be right now); I get nothing tangible out of being MJCS. What I get is satisfaction of being able to make a contribution. I love to write and I love to study the behaviour of my fellow human beings. With volunteering, I get to satisfy my 2 favourite hobbies. I write the bullets every month and whether I sit in the Membership Booth at Conference or beside the scoreboard at Fun Day, I get to observe. All this and more - like the number of people I've met in the last 3 years and all the friends I've made; all the business contacts; all the exposure to the technology and the diversity of the field.

People always ask me why they should join or what the benefits of being a member are. The best answer I have is what I say in every issue of the Bullets: "The society is what we make it; help us to help you!". So instead of asking what the society will do for you as a member, ask instead what you can do, eh? (a la J.F.K. :)) There is so much to learn and see and gain from volunteering. And the society needs you. Sometimes, money and freeness is not so important. Don't get me wrong - I will be the first to admit that freeness still has a pull on me - but, sometimes it just feels good to be able to help someone else.

Try it; you might like it!