Are you thinking of organizing a conference? Well take a few tips from me because I am in the midst of planning our first tribal database conference. The strategy involved in planning an event of this magnitude can feel daunting, however, don’t let that overwhelm you. Just take it step by step, and you will have your conference planned before you realize it.

Cathedral Home for Children is a wonderful organization right here in Laramie, Wyoming, the headquarters of Handel Information Technologies, Inc. This year, they are celebrating their 100th year of dedication to the community and to the youth of Wyoming.

I’ve celebrated the Fourth of July watching fireworks in 80 to over 90 degree weather while living in Arizona. I’ve watched the most complicated fireworks display I’ve ever seen while living in Pittsburgh, but this Independence Day was an entirely new experience.

Ever wonder what kind of software is out there for your Tribes? There are so many options and vendors that picking one is sometimes very difficult. Finding the best for your Tribe is extremely important, especially in this kind of economy where every dollar counts. And sometimes, you do not have the time to wade through all the options and find the best for you.

So we got back from my very first conference on Tuesday. A few of my colleagues, Casey, Joe and I attended the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid-Year Conference. This year’s conference was held in Rapid City, SD at the convention center. Since we are close enough to drive, we left on Sunday for the five-hour drive at 6 p.m., and we arrived at our destination about 11:30 p.m. because Joe kept directing us to go in the opposite direction that we needed to go.