MEETING NOTES - JUNE 15, 2003

The wrap up meeting was well attended and each department discussed what went wrong and what went right with their operations.

The Chair-Victim for Marcon 39 is Shell Franklin.

CHAIR'S BLURB

Hi everyone! Well, everyone reading this.

I have already started receiving requests; I've even had more than one person volunteer for the same position. So, attached to this email is a form I'd like you to fill out and hand to me or email to me. (If you are reading this on the web click here and write the chair and ask for the form) I'm asking everyone to put down two areas in which they are most interested. Marcon is a big convention, and in order to grow, we as staff have to learn other areas of expertise. This form is very important as it will give me an idea of not only the particular job you would like, but also that you have some knowledge of how to do it and have taken the time to put thought into making it better. As I start receiving these forms back I will be getting together with a lot of you to discuss them and start placing people, and will (hopefully) have the org chart ready for the September meeting.

For those of you who would rather not be in charge but still work just as hard (my hat is off to you), please offer any suggestions you have to improve MARCON's policies, procedures, or MARCON as a whole. Anything!!

Now, for those of you who have not looked at the web site recently - there is a Concom page. On this page is a link to the current copy of the Chronicles, along with the dates and times for future meetings. For those of you who don't have web access, you can have the Chronicles mailed to you, of course, but if the web access is enough, please let Carrie know. It's always nice to save a few postage pennies here and there.

Reminder: If anyone has receipts for Marcon 38, please get them in to Kim.

We worked together all year and had a terrific Convention - now it's time for us to play! Recipe for a wonderful picnic: Water guns, bubbles, good food, and friends! The picnic is scheduled for Sunday, July 13th at the Hoover Y Park. Remember, we'll all have a great time if EVERYONE comes and enjoys the fun. MARCON is supplying the drinks, meat, chips, and paper products, but we need condiments, hamburger dressings, and buns. If you are willing to provide these items, please inform me by Friday via email.

Our theme for this year's convention, "Godzilla." If you have programming ideas please send them my way and I will pass them along to the programming department once all the positions have been assigned.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: MARCON IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!!! NOT JUST FOR THE ATTENDEES BUT ALSO FOR THE STAFF. IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING FUN YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG. PLEASE SEE ME IMEDIATELY!

MARCON PICNIC

Sunday, July 13, Noon until whenever.
Hoover Y Park
Marcon will supply the meat, buns, and soda.

Directions:

23 South to Rathmell Road, the first light south of I-270. Turn left. At the second light (Lockbourne Road), turn right. Go 1 mile, turn left onto Rohr Road. There is a little sign pointing down that road for the Y park. Go approximately 1.2 miles, turn left into the Hoover Y Park.

Hopefully everyone had a great Summer! Attached to this email is a form I'd like you to fill out and hand to me or email to me. I'm asking everyone to put down two areas in which they are most interested. Marcon is a big convention, and in order to grow, we as staff have to learn other areas of expertise. This form is very important as it will give me an idea of not only the particular job you would like, but also that you have some knowledge of how to do it and have taken the time to put thought into making it better. As I start receiving these forms back I will be getting together with a lot of you to discuss them and start placing people, and will (hopefully) have the org chart ready soon. But I can't put one together without you letting me know what you Want.

For those of you who would rather not be in charge but still work just as hard (my hat is off to you), please offer any suggestions you have to improve MARCON's policies, procedures, or MARCON as a whole. Anything!!

Now, for those of you who have not looked at the web site recently - there is a Concom page. On this page is a link to the current copy of the Chronicles, along with the dates and times for future meetings. For those of you who don't have web access, you can have the Chronicles mailed to you, of course, but if the web access is enough, please let Carrie know. It's always nice to save a few postage pennies here and there.

Our theme for this year's convention, "Godzilla." If you have programming ideas please send them my way and I will pass them along to the programming department once all the positions have been assigned.

Programming is underway and is working on setting up is preliminary meeting and is raring to discuss programming panel ideas and events at the September meeting. Our theme this year is "Godzilla." Please be at the meeting with your thinking caps on and be creative!

IMPORTANT REMINDER: MARCON IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!!! NOT JUST FOR THE ATTENDEES BUT ALSO FOR THE STAFF. IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING FUN YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG. PLEASE SEE ME IMEDIATELY!

Shell's number is 614-327-1031 and you can reach me by email at marchair@cshellsweb.com

Meeting: Saturday, September 20, 2003
Time: 3:00 pm
Where: Karl Road Library
Who: Everyone

Judson Lohr has agreed to take on the responsibility of Vice Chair. Sucker!

Fan Groups: John "Sir Bear" Healy is the official "Con Pimp." He's looking for some Godzilla items such as posters or action figures to take to cons with him to advertise this year's theme. If you care to donate, please contact him at countrybear80@yahoo.com. In other fan group news, the Celtic Rock group Homeland would like to visit Marcon.

Marcon will be choosing its charity at the next meeting. So far, the suggestions are any of the hospice organizations and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Carrie Franklin and Dale Mazolla will be picking your brains for panel ideas at the next meeting, so get those creative juices flowing and help them come up with some great ideas for talks. All subjects encouraged.

HALLOWEEN PARTY
Nick and Linda Winks will be graciously opening their home for a Marcon Halloween Party on Friday, October 24, 2003 at 7pm. Everyone is asked to bring a 2-liter bottle of 7-Up or Sprite, or a bag of chips. Costumes are encouraged. Call 890-6104 for directions.

NEXT MEETING
October 12, 2003
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Karl Road Library

A Note from Carrie H., your new Chronicles maker:

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone will be patient with me since this is my first time doing the Chronicles. I have done newsletters before, but not as precise and important with so much vital information as this one. I hope you all will benefit from this and understand it and if you have anything to add or have a question, please don't hesitate to contact me. However, if you find gramerical J errors or typos, (trust me; there will be many of those) please treat it as a momentary lapse of phalange dysfunction.

Hope to see you all at the next ConCom meeting!

Carrie H.

A Note from the Spiky Chair (a.k.a. Shell):

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year and a wonderful holiday season.

Ok, down to business. I still haven't heard back from some of you that requested departments. I sent out an email to everyone that had requested to be a department head in early December asking you to get back to me confirming that you still want the job. I've only heard back from a few of you. Get back to me now if you haven't or I will assume you have changed your mind and I will have to give it to someone else.

Attention all department heads: Please send me your current email address. If you don't have email call me, and let me know how it's best to get in touch with you.

Staff lists: We are coming up on needing them. Start getting them together.

Meeting dates, times and locations:

· The January Meeting has been pushed back just slightly into February. It will be February 1, 2004; at the Columbus Metro Library (Northwest Library), 2280 Hard Road from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.

· The February Meeting will be February 29, 2004; at the Columbus Metro Library (Northwest Library), 2280 Hard Road from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.

· The March Meeting will be March 21, 2004; at the Columbus Metro Library (Northwest Library), 2280 Hard Road from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.

· For those of you with no web access here are the directions to the library: From I-270, exit Sawmill. Go north to Hard Road, and turn right. The Northwest Library is located on the north side (left side) of Hard Road.

Notes from ConCom meeting, December 13, 2003:

· On February 14th there will be a Valentine's Day Party at Nick and Linda Winks' house.

· For Marcon 40, our Editor Guest of Honor will be Steve Saffel. He has been confirmed.

· Art Show department is sending out fliers in March.

· John Callicotte is stepping down as SOLAE member and will not renew his term. SOLAE will be holding elections at the January meeting to replace him. SOLAE representatives are elected for a 3-year term and at-large representative are elected for a 1-year term. The next SOLAE meeting the officers will be elected. The next meeting will be announced at a later date.

· Dale is working on "begging letters" for donations now that we have our non-profit status, but that doesn't mean you should be afraid to approach people. For further information, contact Dale Mazzola.

· Registration and Dealers Room have nothing to report.

· Space Issues meeting will be held in January for programming on final issues on what goes where.

Next Scheduled Meeting:

Marcon 39 Wrap-up meeting: Sunday, June 20th at the Columbus Convention Center Harrison Room (First Floor) at 1pm.

Marcon 40 July Picnic: Saturday, July 10, 2004 at the Hoover Y-Park. We have Shelter House 3 reserved. Time: TBA

A Message from the Solae President

After the post convention report at the next meeting, there will be a call from the Solae board for nominations for Chair of Marcon 40 (Anybody who was staff at Marcon 39 and signed for their badge is eligible). After all the nominations have taken place there will be a Q & A time period during which you will be able to ask the nominees questions regarding why they want to be elected. We will then vote. Those eligible to vote must have been staff on Marcon 39 and have signed for their badge.

Voting will be done as follows:

There will be tables with the sign in books to verify staff status.

You will then get your vote slip and take it to another table specifically for voting.

Write in your vote, and place it in the ballot jar on the table.

After all votes have been taken, the Solae board will tally them and then the new chair of Marcon 40 will be announced immediately.

For those who will be unable to attend this meeting but would still like to vote for the Chair of Marcon 40 you can send in your vote by email to solae@cshellsweb.com or send it by postal mail to Solae, P.O. Box 13961, Columbus, Ohio 43213. All absentee votes must be in no later than June 19th (If they don't get in to the Solae president's hands/email mailbox by the 19th, it will not be counted).

In order to serve staff members voting in absentee, those who intend to run for Chair of Marcon 40, please send in your information for publication to the Chronicles editor at carriesw1138@peoplepc.com. Any questions you can contact me thru either of the above addresses.

Dale

A Message from the Treasurer:

If you want to receive a reimbursement, I will have the forms at the June 20th meeting. You can pick one up, fill it out, and give it back to me. Also, if you would please be so kind as to email me what the amount is going to be at kwilliams9@indy.rr.com. I will be able to have more accurate final numbers at the meeting.

Thanks,

Kim

A Few Words about Marcon 39 from some of the staff:

The Marcon Committee. We have gathered together for 39 years to create the celebration that is Marcon. Through that time we have grown and added interests and variety, making Marcon one of the largest and most varied SF/Fantasy conventions in the country. Many of our processes are models for other conventions, and many are unique across the country. Our predecessors have created a fine institution that brings enjoyment to many, refining it and developing it across those 39 years. We, and those predecessors can be proud of Marcon for the many things it brings to so many each year. This year, my oldest grandson took part in Marcon and had a great time, as have many of my children before him. A good part of my social life is built around Marcon, and I'm happy with that, as the friends I have found through Marcon are as varied and interesting as the convention itself. They each have their own strengths and characters, endless variety and enjoyment. In this stressful life, Marcon can be a great relief and relaxation. But, like in any family, there are tensions. There seem to be cycles of tension within Marcon that surge up every few years. I'm sure I'm not the first to fear that such surges may ruin Marcon, but that is what I feel and fear. Benjamin Franklin, engaged in a somewhat larger endeavor, once stated, "We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." I'd prefer to hang with my friends and accomplices in perpetrating Marcon. Thank you all for your hard work in putting on Marcon.

Nick Winks

Greetings everyone from the last minute video department head. J I just wanted to make a note that the majority of people that I spoke with had fun at con this year. Even in video, a lot of people were commenting on how cool it was. Hopefully these are people that will not only return, but also will tell others and raise our numbers through the roof and reach those closet fans and people who have always wanted to go to con, but never thought to. Just my two cents. See you all on the 20th.

Will Smith

A Job Post from Adlai, Gaming Department Head:

For Immediate Release

Sale and Exhibitor Services Representative for GAMA, The Gaming Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is currently seeking candidates for a Sales and Exhibitor Services Representative. This position will be full-time, working from our trade association's headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and will have a range of responsibilities, including making sales calls and/or visits to exhibitors and sponsors for GAMA's shows and programs; booking those sales; assigning booth spaces, ad schedule, etc; and interfacing with event, publication, and other staff to build and implement sales. The ideal candidate for this position must be very motivated and able to work along rapid timetables to achieve mission critical results. Organization and good reporting practices are highly important. Communication skills are vital to this job, both within the hobby games industry and to other team-based atmosphere is key at GAMA. Qualifications are Bachelor's Degree in Sales or Business, or equivalent work experience, expertise in MS Office Suite, Strong Organizational skills, Good interpersonal skills. The position will be located in the GAMA offices in Columbus, Ohio. 10% travel to include the GAMA Trade Show, The Origins Games Expo, some board meetings, and other travel duties to make visits to customers (mostly at shows). Please submit resume and cover letter to: fincance@gama.org. Resumes should be submitted via e-mail as attached MS Word files. Please include contact information and the best time during the day for a phone interview. Deadline for applications is June 14, 2004. Anthony Gallela: ops@gama.org.