Local #57 Elections! [Archive] - The Wench.Org Forums

Katie O'Connell

12-23-2005, 10:06 PM

Here it is, December 2005, and some mad wench has nominated me for the office of Madame of Local 57, and a few other crazy wenches have seconded it. I am pleasantly surprised, sincerely grateful, eternally thankful and downright flattered by your support.

I wish to preserve our local at any cost, and always ready to embark on a singularly fascinating adventure when one presents itself, therefore I have once again accepted the nomination and will run for the office.

So here again is my platform, mostly taken from the last time I was required to post it, but with a few tweaks. Yes….I like to tweak things whenever I can. ::laughin:

First, allow me to introduce myself to those that don’t know me yet:

My name is Tracy Leigh Selak, and I am a Wench 365 days a year.

In real life, I am married with no children (unless you count my spouse), and I live near Pontiac, MI. My career has run the gamut of administrative related roles--from being a secretary, to human resources assistant, to health insurance administrator and trouble shooter. I've also survived 10 Christmas seasons in the wild world of Retail.

A lot of what I've done is directly related to customer service, and keeping a cool head in less than ideal situations is very important.

And then there's my 'other life'....

In the realm of the Renaissance Faire and Local 57, I am Wench #2096, better known as Mistress Katheryn O’Connell, Hollygrove’s Librarian, a fine, upstanding, modest, virtuous middle class mistress of some learning……or more commonly, I am known as ‘Bookwench.’

I have been an IWG wench for nearly 4 years, and honestly, I haven't gotten involved as much as I'd liked due to location or scheduling—this appears destined to change, I’m happy to say.

The 2006 Season of will be my 22nd consecutive year working at or for the MiRF in one capacity or another. I will be returning to the Resident Cast again this season as the Bookwench, telling stories, making merry in the lanes and whatever else I can get away with. :roll:

You should know: I love a good debate, and keep an open mind at all times. I can usually see both sides of an issue. I don’t hold grudges. I can be impartial and logical,and always strive to be honest and fair. I know when to hold my tongue, and when to speak up for myself, or for my fellow wenches.

I hold these truths, opinions and visions dear:

I believe that every member of Local 57 have every reason to be proud of their membership in the IWG, and strive to display their pride whenever possible.

I believe that every Wench should be afforded the opportunity and that she should take advantage of such opportunities to display their Goddess-hood to the world, in order to do her part to change the public perception of what the word ‘WENCH’ truly means.

I believe in personal responsibility and accountability—If I screwed something up, I’ll admit it-- I won’t blame it on someone else, on society, or imagined parental failings. I expect the same of my peers. Get up, dust off, get on with living.

I believe in the importance of our membership stepping up and making things happen. We’re all in this together, and it takes each of us to make it great. I am always open to suggestions, and eager to try new things. Come to me with a proposal, and we’ll try to make it work. All it takes is a spark—and I know each of us gives off a lot of those!

Well, now that I’ve said all that, please consider the following as my Platform for Madame-ship of Local 57.

1. VISIBILITY – Yes! I would love to see more Wench events at the Faires!
But let’s go a step further…I would like to see more Wench events happening throughout the year. Whether in garb or out, I would like to see our Local make their presence known at more small festivals and fairs, charity events and the fundraisers. Several Locals boast that they have raised a tidy sum of cash for their charities—let’s get our name out there so that we can be praised for the wonderful, talented, vivacious women we are by the outside world!

By nature and Faire experience, I am very performance oriented—every one of us, in our own way makes the grand spectacle that draws people in to watch. I want to help make the show that WE put on a true award winner.

2. COMMUNITY – Let’s get together! I am very committed to opening and maintaining the lines of communication and getting to know more of our local members—a lot of those reading this have no idea who I am, the Local has grown so large we can get overwhelmed in learning names and faces. I would like to institute games and functions designed so that each of us can get to know more of our Sisters, so that we can be more of a family.

Let’s go one step further—let us get to know our resident Rogues, too. Let us harken back to that spirit of friendly competition and merry making that once graced our fair.

I have an entire book of party mixer games and family friendly competitions, and I’m prepared to use them this year.

3. SERVICE –My promise to you. I will strive to uphold the high standards that have guided our Local in the past, and continue our sterling reputation with the Management of the Faires where we currently perform. After so many years of working for the MiRF, I have a very good idea of the way Management functions, and how this (and nearly everything) changes from season to season (and sometimes from week to week).

4. SUPPORT – I will support each and every member of this local as best I can, from the Vice Madame, to the Dame, and everyone in between as best I can.

5. MERRYMENT – I will strive to plan, plot and carry out as much merriment and mayhem as I can on any given Faire Day, not to mention any event where we can sneak in a little extra frivolity to our gathering.

Yes, it is true that because I am a cast member, I have responsibilities that I must fulfill during a faire day, and places that I must be at specific times, but often I can find time to break away if I am urgently needed. Though I cannot participate on a Walk, I can still play when one goes by and cheer it from the sidelines. And…be advised….I can always instigate trouble and mischief from behind the scenes if the day seems too quiet.

In summation…..I sincerely hope you will consider my proposals, visions and ideas as ones that would be good for the direction of Local 57.