If you ever have to go through a paperwork process in Dubai that takes millions of forms, multiple counters, and many languages, the best bet is to do it on your birthday. Since you need a copy of your passport to process anything, you can clearly prove valid the formula: {myBirthDay.MonthDate() = Today.MonthDate()};

If this formula equals true, strap yourself in, as you will hurtle into Mach5 speed for all paperwork processing. What once took 4 weeks, will now take 4 minutes. And seriously, there’s no better present than seeing fancy approvals stamps on Very Official documents dated with your birthday.   What better memory could you have of your birthday than a customized souvenir from the government?

When you walk into a government or financial institution, take the token that says you are number 99 in the queue (Typically this will happen when the screen shows: Now Serving: Number 2).  Then approach the nearest person and say with a pitiful  “Hmm. Is there anyway we can expedite? You see, it is my birthday.”

Suddenly you will feel like a fondue pot, with handshakes poked at you urgently, “Good tidings, good wishes! Come come! Come with us”, and you will suddenly enter the world usually reserved only for Certain Special People Who Shall Not Be Named.  At your side, will be your own personal escort, skipping you across queues, with pen in hand, filling all your paperwork and forms, leaving you with only the simple request,  “Just sign here ma’am”. Even when you find that a particular office has is closed early for the weekend (Ref: Don’t they know it’s Friday?), no worries!  You will have full afterhours clearance through all security doors and access to internal offices, because They Know It’s Your Birthday.

The Women in technology has been immensely active in Seattle and New York providing guidance on how you can assist in aid for Haiti.  Both Girls in Technology, Microsoft, and the Mona Foundations have partnered together to provide much needed relief to Haiti.  In this post, you will find resources on how you can provide direct aid to Haiti through proper and credible channels.

For overview on the depth of the disaster (beyond what the news is reporting), please refer to my colleague and dear friend, Esther Schorr’s blog post .

Esther introduced me last month to Mahnaz who runs the Mona Foundation. Prior to the disaster they provided strategic goodwill to the Haitian community for education and resources for learning. In response to the disaster, the foundation has put together  Mona Foundation Relief Fund – “Because the Mona Foundation already has projects in country and relationships with the larger disaster relief agencies mentioned in the list above, we are serving as an additional funnel to get dollars where they need to go through these agencies.  Any funds sent to the Mona Foundation Relief Fund will go – 100% - directly to one of these groups expeditiously.” You can subscribe to their eUpdates HERE.  "

Be careful to avoid false aid collection sites and refer to the CNN list of valid organizations. As Esther eloquently put “ Whatever funds you raise should absolutely be sent through one of the reputable disaster relief organizations -  see this article on CNN.com for a great list of the ones that have been vetted for legitimacy and have in Haiti ties already: http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/13/haiti.earthquake.how.to.help/index.html?hpt=T2 .  I direct you here because giving is a very personal thing and you all need to give where and how it feels right to you. I just want to be sure you don’t funnel dollars to any of the scam sites that have popped up already.”

DubaiDev.NET User Group

DubaiDev.NET User Group is the first official Microsoft™ .NET group in United Arab Emirates and Dubai City that will help developers acquire and develop skills associated with Microsoft™ technologies.  http://dubaidev.net/

TechiesOnly (aka TECHIES, TechiesLeaders)

Description: Techies in the UAE expresses the social aspect of a User Group. We have a technical excuse to meet as ICT Professionals. Sessions have a technical topic and a social purpose. Members can expect to meet like minded people and grow their network that way, while enjoying a beverage and a bite to eat. The User Group will aim to facilitate the union of members as wel as informing the members on new and upcoming technology.http://techiesleaders.spaces.live.com/www.techiesonly.com
Membership: 150+
Organizer:  Rolf Eleveld rolf@bajomero.com, http://twitter.com/rolfeleveld, http://twitter.com/techiesuae

Techiesonly

Dubai PHP

Dubai PHP is a community for PHP and web businesses in the area. The mission is to be a resource for developers, businesses and recruiters to learn from one another, network, and find jobs. http://www.meetup.com/dubai-php/
Membership: 30+
Organizer: Hans Zaunere  email me

Dubai MySQL

Dubai MySQL is a community for DBAs and internet businesses in the area. The mission is to be a resource for developers, businesses and recruiters to learn from one another, network, and find jobs. http://www.meetup.com/dubai-mysql/
Membership: 75+
Organizer: Hans Zaunere  email me