Local 77 Election Thread

[AllieSutherland]

This will be the official thread for platforms, nominations, and info on the Elections for Local 77. :)

-- Allie

[AllieSutherland]

Those interested in being nominated for Madame or Vice-Madame (and who meet the guidelines outlined at the KY/TN IWG Yahoo Group/Brown Book guidelines -- they're listed both places) should post a platform here.

If you support a Wench's nomination, post your approval for their nomination by saying "aye" in a post (we can't hear you alll the way between the two states!) and at least one person must "second" each nomination for it to be aprroved.

We will do nominations (and approvals for nominations) until Friday, January 7. Platforms for those interested in running should be posted on the thread ASAP.

After January 7, those who have received an approval for nomination as well as a second "aye" will be an official candidate for office.
Votes can be sent to Lars at [email protected]. Votes will be taken from 01/07/05--02/01/05.

--Allie

[AllieSutherland]

*My name is Allie Sutherland, and I approve this message... ;)*

As the founding organizer of Local 77, I want to outline the reasons why I'd like to be your Madame, and some of the ideas that I have for the local as a whole if I am elected Madame.

First of all, a bit about myself. Most of you in Local 77 either know me personally, or at least a bit through the Yahoo KY/TN groups. I began organizing and gauging interest for Local 77 around the beginning of 2003.

I began going to Faires in 1992 (OHRF). I joined the Guild in late 2001 (and got my membership packet in Spring, 2002). Since then, I have met some wonderful people, both in the Guilds and with Faire in general. Faire has long been a wonderful pasttime for me, and it fulfills the side of me that enjoys "dress up" and acting. :) Over the past few years, though, it's become a "home away from home," and the place where I've met many of my chosen family.

I wanted to organize this local because I had seen the awesome sense of camraderie that existed amongst members of other locals. As we all know, sometimes this area seems quite isolated from Faire and similar interests. I wanted to form a local of our own to build and foster that same camraderie amongst us. Not long thereafter, I met many of you in person at TNRF. Many of you also expressed to me that you were eager to become more involved in the Guild as a whole as well as with each other.

I believe that I have the experience and qualties that would help me to be a good Madame for this local. I was formerly an elementary school teacher, which allowed me to hone many of my organizational and interpersonal skills. I am no longer able to work, but I do volunteer a great deal of my time and energy to charities, public service, and disability advocacy. I believe that I am a strong leader in my abilitity to be fair, honest, and objective. I believe strongly in open communications. To be a Madame, I believe that it takes an ability to do what is best for the Guild as a whole as well as the Local, which sometimes means that there will be personal differences from time to time. Even as this is the case, I want to establish that I believe in maintaining personal respect wile treating "guild business" as "business," especially when there are disagreements. Sometimes, inevitably, the two will cross, but I would strive to foster and be a steward of that paradigm amongst the Local as a whole.

As Madame, I would like to help establish that same sense of "community" that I've long admired in other locals/Guild groups. Many of us at least "know of" one another, but I would like for us to establish outlets for being together more often. Many of us share common interests that would lend themselves to "get togethers" for sewing/crafting, conventions, etc. I would love to see us get together on a regular basis for infomal dinners, barbeques, etc. I would also enjoy getting together for Invasions for other faires in the vicinity. Tinkerwench and Eric McTavish have graciously offered their home as a Hostel, and I would love to have events there when possible, along with some in TN and in locations "halfway" for people coming from both states.

As many of you also know, we were denied an offical Faire presence (on-site hostel) at TNRF in 2003. One of my main goals as Madame would be to work closely with Harold (Sergi Karento), who is the IBRSC liason for TNRF. Together, we would like to bring understanding to the management and the public attending the faire about the Guilds as a whole, and also build a positive image of the Guilds in general. In this area, not much is understood about who we are, what we're about, and what Faires are in general. It will take time, but gradually, we would like to accomplish what some other nearby locals have in similar circumstances: being a welcomed, official presence at local faires that contributes fun and enjoyment to faire while being responsible.

While we are our own group, I would also like to see us join with other Lundeguild members in the KY/TN area (there are quite a few of us all together!) for fellowship. So many of us don't know just how many Guild members are in the area, but it'd be great to socialize and meet with each other. Perhaps we could work together in other capacities as well .

Another area that I would like to see growth in for our Local is in the potential for us to be involved in charity work and events. Many locals form "teams" to partcipate in a variety of charity walks and events. I would love to see us raise money for various charities, as well as having fun doing it! Many of us are "crafty" wenches, and we could also do some group crafting projects to benefit charity in some capacity. I understand that everyone's involvement level would be dependent on work, family, and other commitments, but I think that involvement in these areas could really bring us together for good causes while having great times!

I look forward to our growth as a local, and I am excited to begin and to be part of these next steps! I would appreciate your nominations (and later, if I am nominated) for Madame.

Thank you! :)
-- Allie

[Tinkerwench]

I'm Denise Tinker Lemke aka THE TinkerWench. I'd like to be considered for Second Banana

I got the name because I've been doing SCA for over 10 years now. My persona is an Irish Tinker and I'm an all around wenchy type of lady (did I really say "lady") so - Tinkerwench.

I didn't hit my first Ren faire till Ohio in 2002 and I've been well and truly hooked. I'm part of the staff for a Sci/Fi/Fantasy convention already - so have some organization experience.

At said convention we hosted a panel on Wenches and Rogues (our guilds) and were a HUGE hit. I have worked closely with the staff of the convention (I'm part of programming) on re-creating the panel and imporving on it. So I do have some experience at event planning with wenches in mind. THis was a very "family friendly" event so I'm sure we can work with faires and other venues in the future to assure them that although we tend to be "naughty" we have a perfectly "NICE" side as well.

I've held office several times in High School and College so I know what I'm in for. No worries that I'll back out cause it's too much to handle. Bring it on I say.

I have attended many fairs now and participated in a fabulous Wench Walk at Bristol. The ladies there were very helpful with suggestions on how to become a fair presence and how to conduct walks and so forth.

I recently spent some time speaking with some of the cast and vendors of Ohio Ren Faire. I think we will be able to talk with Faire management this year and establish a presence there as well as TN is Allie's plans work out. I already have two vendors as potential Faire Hostels at Ohio.

As some of you know - my home is to be our Hostel (that offer will remain open even after we get faire established) and I'm very happy to make it Wench Central. Having said that - I'm glad to be at the center of mayhem - um - I mean organization. Stop in and visit anytime - call first so I can remind rogue to wear clothes so as not to scare the faint hearted.

Anything else? - oh yeah - I'm 39 and holding. Don't plan to let that 40th b-day sneak up on me.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

I say aye to both Allie and Tinker.

Local 77... my new home... or just my home if I end up living in my SUV down by the river.

[Deena]

I second both Allie and Tinker