Date: September 10, 2014
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Old Overton Club
Member Companies: Representative(s): Attended:
American Cast Iron Pipe Company Jeremy Gilbert No
BBVA Compass Bank Tracy Mountain No
Birmingham Water Works Board Tilden Leigh No
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama Blake LeCroy No
City of Birmingham Tammy High Yes
Drummond Company Kevin Stone No
Energen Corp Vernandi Greene No
Jacksonville State University Alan Wallace No
Jefferson County No Representative No
Liberty National Life Insurance Barbara Shook Yes
Motion Industries Ellen Holladay No
O’Neal Steel Mark Troncale, Earl Thrailkill No
Protective Life No Representative No
Regions Financial Corporation Mike Terry Yes
Samford University Angeline Jackson Yes
Shelby County Winston Estes No
Southern Company/ Alabama Power No Representative No
Trinity Medical Center No Representative No
University of Alabama Birmingham Bill Laughlin No
Next Meeting: October 8, 2014
11:00 a.m.
Location: Old Overton Club – Monthly Meeting Location
Directions Attached
Calendar Year 2014 Meeting Schedule (Second Wednesday)
January 8, 2014
February 12, 2014
March 12, 2014
April 9, 2014
May 14, 2014
June 11, 2014
July 9, 2014
August 13, 2014
September 10, 2014
October 8, 2014
November 12, 2014
December 10, 2014
Attachments: BLUG Class Schedule
Minutes
Mike Terry (Regions Bank) presided over the meeting.
Angeline Jackson (Samford University) was the meeting recorder.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., at Old Overton Club.
OLD BUSINESS
· A request was made for SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
o Bill has a lot of interest at UAB and Mike has some interest at Regions.
o Bill sent out the syllabus. He has two instructors that could possibly teach the class.
o Regions will not be able to host the class due to constraints in using the training lab.
o Bill checking to see if UAB has a classroom available.
o Mike contacted Think Data and still waiting to hear from them. No date scheduled yet. They may allow a minimum of 6 instead of 8. (Open)
· Mike Terry will look into the availability of a classroom to hold a DB2 class.
o We have this moved to the Fall timeframe. Blake has some interest for Blue Cross
o Due to new security rules Regions will not be able to host BLUG classes in the computer lab at this time. We will need to find another place to hold this class when it is coordinated
o Mike contact Think Data and they can setup a virtual machine for a mainframe. There is another group in Maryland that is interested in a similar class, so we may get a discount if they also choose to use it.
o Mike has some interest at Regions. Will identify how many.
o (Open)
· Bill will work to place the Cost Savings Summary in the members’ area of the web site.
o Bill would like to add an “Alert” or “Noteworthy News” with a summary of Total saved last year by all Blug members. Don’t want to put individual members’ specific savings amounts.
o (Open)
· In September, UAB is hosting a HTML5 class and is using New Horizons.
o UAB plans to have 24 students for 2 weeks. 12 in the morning and 12 in the afternoon.
o Using a local teacher and connecting to their VMs.
o Bill will let us know how the instruction goes and if it’s worth the extra cost. (Open)
· Membership discussed the possibility of using New Horizons to develop an IT focused PMP class. We will consider and discuss further during the next meeting.
o New Horizons wants to the BLUG meeting and talk to the group.
§ The overall opinion was that we could possibly have call with New Horizons, but we didn’t want to set a precedence by them coming to the meeting.
§ Bill sent a link and a syllabus to the group and is willing to host a conference call with New Horizons to discuss.
§ Would like Alan Wallace to review the syllabus and give some feedback since he has researched this type of class previously. (Open)
· Bill discussed some possible new uses for the web site such as:
o When a non-BLUG member expresses an interest in a class, send email notification to the class coordinator and their company representative.
o Registrations by BLUG members
§ Notify company representatives and class coordinators when a person is added to the roster
§ Lock it down after deadline so no additions or deletions can occur
o Bill indicated it can go in any direction we need. (Open)
· Bill indicated that both PL/SQL classes will make. (Open)
· The Social Security Administration has requested a BLUG membership. Bill sent an email to the BLUG Executive Committee but hasn’t heard back from them. They are already sending people to some classes, but need an official membership.
o SSA has a complicated payment process. Bill is hoping this new contact can get the invoices paid faster and easier.
o They did say they were going to join. Bill is going to check with Craig to see if a membership payment was received. (Open)
· There may be a need for a COBOL class.
o Barbara has a contact who is finding a teacher. He is going to put together a syllabus for the group to review.
o Barbara will ask him if he has specific requirements for a classroom.
o Timeframe is any time in the Fall.
o Need a teaching facility. Need to talk to Bill to see if UAB is a possibility.
o Mike said that Regions has at least 3 interested in the class. (Open)
· Blake indicated a need for XML and DB2 training. (Open)
· Vernandi explained that as of September 1, 2014 Energen sold Alagasco. She will work for Alagasco.
o Not sure if both Energen and Alagasco will be BLUG members or not.
o Bill to contact Keith Jennings at Energen to see if they want to name a new representative.
o Vernandi will check with Alagasco to see if they want to become a BLUG member.
o Mike to send Vernandi an email to ask for an update. (Open)
· Mike may have an interest in JavaScript training.
o May can combine with HTML and XML?
o Blake knows a teacher and will reach out to him at Accelebrate.
o Mike sent Blake the information on what he needs. (Open)
NEW BUSINESS
· We need to will start looking at needs for each company and start planning for next year’s schedule. (Open)
· Discussions regarding the Members list:
o Jefferson County – The Executive Member listed, Wayne Cree, is retired. Craig asked Barbara where to send the BLUG membership renewal for Jefferson County. Someone needs to contact Jefferson County to find out the proper contact.
o Protective Life – The only email address we have is for Robert Collins and it returned as undeliverable. Barbara to ask Craig where he sent the BLUG membership renewal.
o (Open)
The meeting was adjourned.
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