Would You Vote for Any of These People?

Margene Bahm

Actually, it's kind of a trick question, because dues-paid KaCSFFS members probably won't have to vote for any of them. 

That's because we have a slate of self-nominations for the 2016-2017 KaCSFFS Board of Directors, but no challengers. In that situation, the Bylaws call for the self-nominees to take office automatically in April.

Earline "Cricket" Beebe

Unless a challenger self-declares for one of these offices (email Margene Bahm or the KaCSFFS email) during or before our April meeting, the following suckers selfless individuals will be the new KaCSFFS Board of Directors:

Director/President: Margene Bahm
Treasurer: Earline "Cricket" Beebe
Secretary: Bryan Thomas Schmidt
Communications Officer: Jan S. Gephardt

Bryan Thomas Schmidt

The position of ConQuesT Chairperson is currently still undecided, as is the fate of that office as a Board of Directors position. We've had several years to live with the 2012 Bylaws, and it has become clear that revisions are needed.

Jan S. Gephardt

We also have a new Registered Agent! William McCullough has agreed to take on that responsibility for us. The Registered Agent is an important but non-voting position on the Board, and must be held by a Missouri resident, because KaCSFFS is chartered in Missouri.

William McCullough

Many thanks to all of these individuals, who are willing to spend extra portions of their time and energy on behalf of our club!

IMAGES: The photo of Margene Bahm is from her personal Facebook Page. Many thanks to Keith Stokes's Midamericon Fan Photo Archive for the image of Earline (at Lonstarcon, the Texas Worldcon). The image of Bryan Thomas Schmidt is from his website. The photo of Jan Gephardt is one of her standard head shots, provided for this post. The image of William McCullough is from his personal Facebook Page. Many thanks to all!

Film Shorts and Long Tradition

Crew Call at the KaCSFFS Meeting!
Saturday, May 19 at 6:30 pm at the Writers Place

1982 "collating party" in San Francisco.

Come to the meeting Saturday for a true "retro" experience! It's an old-fashioned KaCSFFS pre-ConQuesT "bindery" party! Help cut, fold, laminate, and stuff envelopes for the con while we gossip, dish, and talk science fiction. 

We're just one week from ConQuesT 43, and this year, as in days of old, the meeting before the con will be used help get ready. We need YOUR help! We will be working on badges, pocket programs, attendees' packets, and more.

We can't bring our cats to this party, helpful though they might be!

If you're not old enough to remember the days when we hand-collated our fanzines, then you're in for a rare taste of fhannish history!

Once upon a time, kids, sf fen had to do it the old-fashioned way, with paper, staples, and good fun.  Let's enjoy ourselves for a retro Saturday night!

Bring scissors or paper-cutters, staplers, rulers, or any other tools you think might be useful.

Include edible goodies, along with the staplers and scissors!

But there are Compensations!
The food theme is cupcakes and cookies--and there will be awards, with certificates, so bring your discerning palate, along with your best prize-winning goodies!

Maybe even better yet, the Laser Rangers' David Sooby and Ty Gephardt have compiled a playlist that will provide almost 3 hours of science fiction and fantasy short films and cartoons, to keep us entertained while we work.

These shorts are mostly independently made, and come from all parts of the world. Languages in this presentation include, among others: English, American Portuguese, German, French-ish, Grunt, Beatnik, and Silence (with musical accompaniment). 

Some are funny, some are poignant, and some are pretty darn eye-popping. All were chosen for their entertainment value. We hope you enjoy this selection of amazing shorts (But not too much. Get back to work!!).

Please vote to "make them so"!

Also Important, but Probably Less Fun  
Saturday is the final vote for the provisionally approved KaCSFFS Bylaws, too. The Provisional Draft was amended last month, and the adjusted (final) version was published to the KAXFEN Files in the Folder titled "2012 Bylaws," for members' perusal. 

This vote is very important for our effort to finally see a successful result from our 501(c)3 application. 

PHOTO/IMAGE CREDITS: The b/w image of the 1982 collating party is from the history page of a political zine, The Processed World, but hand-collating a zine looks the same, whatever the publication's topic.  I couldn't resist the photo of the cat, Archer, "helping" his mistress (Teri Vlassopoulos) collate her zine in 2007. The pic is from Teri's blog Bibliographic. The cupcakes and cookies from Teacake Bake Shop look pretty irresistible, too! The good ol' "Bylaws Book" image returns one last time, courtesy of the A. J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering "ByLaws/Standing Rules" page.

Heads-up for votes, and Call for Entries!

Bylaws Approval Vote Saturday!
The KaCSFFS meeting will include a final vote on the revised Bylaws, provisionally approved as amended at the April meeting. Read the amended Bylaws on the KaXFEN Yahoo Group.

Enter the KaCSFFS and ConQuesT Logo Contest!
The KaCSFFS Board of Directors has announced that they are now accepting entries in the KaCSFFS and ConQuesT Logo Contest.

This logo dates to the 1970s, and
sometimes still is used.

KaCSFFS has for many years had a mascot, named Kassie (the Flying Cow). The club also has been using various logos throughout its 40 year history (almost none of them depicting Kassie), but nothing has been used consistently except a circular logo (most recently seen on the membership cards) that dates back almost to the club's origin.

ConQuesT also has had a mascot, Casey, a winged bull, often depicted with the slogan, "Where the Bull really flies!" For many years the ConQuesT Artist Guest of Honor for the year used Casey in a design that appeared on T-shirts, name badges, and other materials for that year.  This practice has fallen off in recent years.

KaCSFFS is now going through a renewal period, in parallel with its hoped-for change to 501(c)3 status. Communications Officer Jan Gephardt and the Communications Committee are overseeing a transition to a more consistent "look" for all of our publications, fliers, announcements, brochures, and web-based communications.

To that end, they are seeking a pair of new logos--one for KaCSFFS, and another for ConQuesT, and we need your help to create them!

Note: The Board of Directors reserves the right to split the entries into separate KaCSFFS and ConQuesT designs if it sees fit, although we definitely prefer to have a pair that coordinates.

Contest Rules:
This logo contest is open to anyone, of any age, who has an idea and wants to submit it. Entries are now open, and must be received by August 1, 2012.  

Design two logos that are similar but distinct from each other: one for KaCSFFS, the other for ConQuesT.

1. They do not have to depict Kassie and Casey (there is some debate within the club over retaining these mascots at all). 
2. They should look good in black-and-white. 
3. They should be easily identifiable at any size. That is, whether they are half an inch wide or three feet wide, they should look equally "legible" and clear.
4. They should have a "futuristic" feel.

How to submit your entry:

1. Once you have your two designs, they should be made into JPEG, TIFF, or PDF digital files. If you need help digitizing your entry, please contact the KaCSFFS Communications Committee, either in person or via email.
2. Image size should be 5 inches (360 pixels) wide, for each logo design.  Resolution should be 200 ppi (pixels per inch).
3. If the logos do not already incorporate the letters "KaCSFFS" for the KaCSFFS logo, and "ConQuesT" for the ConQuesT logo, you should submit a view of each that shows how lettering should accompany them (as the word "KaCSFFS" accompanies the 1970s logo example above).
4. Submit your designs digitally to the "Logo Contest Entries" file on the KAXFEN email group or directly to the KaCSFFS Communications Committee email.
5. If you prefer to deliver the digital files via CD or thumb drive, you may hand these to Jan at any KaCSFFS meeting before the deadline or at ConQuesT, or mail them to: KaCSFFS, P.O. Box 34413, North Kansas City, MO 64116.

What happens after entries close?

Once entries have closed, the Communications Committee will review all entries, and share them with the club at the August meeting. 

Members will view, compare, an discuss them through the next two months, and the Communications Committee may request that artists make small changes to their designs. A preliminary vote at the September meeting may be held, to narrow choices to a top 2 or 3, if that seems necessary.

A final vote by secret ballot (with an option for members to submit an Absentee Ballot) will be taken at the October meeting, and the winner will be announced after all ballots are counted.

Will the Winners win anything besides recognition?

The designer of the winning KaCSFFS logo design will receive a free, 1-year membership to KaCSFFS, with all the privileges, directories, voting privileges, and discounts that come with a valid membership.  His or her Directory listing will identify this person as "Logo Winner."

The designer of the winning ConQuesT logo design will receive a free, 3-day membership to ConQuesT 44 (2013), with full access to all regular convention events. He or she also will receive a special identification on his or her badge, identifying this person as "Logo Winner."

Both winners (or the person who wins both) also will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a box of Annedore's Artisanal Chocolate Truffles (4 truffles per logo) or a suitable alternative, depending on dietary restrictions, to be donated by Artdog Studio on behalf of KaCSFFS/ConQuesT.

April Meeting Follow-up

Sherri Dean Conquers All

With her Alien Eggs and her secretarial prowess, Sherri Dean
proved a hit with Kaxfen at the April meeting.

Our new Secretary is Sherri Dean. She leaped right into the job immediately, and began taking notes.

She also brought the winning *coughs -only!- * entry for the Eggceptional Eggcellence Awards with her very creative Alien Eggs entry in the "Cre-egg-tive Minds at Play" category.

Her Alien Eggs were concocted from dried figs, almonds and almond paste, and orange marmelade. They were tasty, as well as wild-looking!

Still Tweaking Bylaws till the End

More amendments were made
to the provisional draft of the
KaCSFFS Bylaws Saturday.

Several Kaxfen brought up questions and proposed adjustments to the provisional draft of the KaCSFFS Bylaws that had been submitted for examination at the March meeting by the Bylaws Committee. The process of bringing the club's bylaws into compliance with the Missouri requirements for a 501(c)3 corporation, begun more than a year and a half ago, continues.

The discussion session at the meeting Saturday night became rather lively at times, as the merits of various provisions were discussed. Several sharp-eyed persons also helpfully pointed out typos for correction.

At the end of the discussion, a majority of the quorum present voted to provisionally approve the Bylaws draft, as amended. The new version was to be posted as a PDF in the file "2012 Bylaws" on the KAXFEN Yahoo Group. It is now available there, for review by all interested members who have paid their dues and thereby have voting privileges.

A final vote to ratify this version of the Bylaws will be taken at the May 19 meeting. If it is not approved, the amendment process will continue.  Passage of an acceptable set of Bylaws is an important part of being approved for our 501(c)3 status, so this is an important issue for the club.

Do You Have Your Membership Card?
President Diana Bailey opened the meeting Saturday by reading aloud the names of persons who had not picked up their new membership cards.

Why is it so important to have your membership card? For one thing, it entitles you to a growing array of discounts!

First of all, there's your ConQuesT membership! The last chance to buy a membership in person with the club discount was the April 21 meeting, but you have until May 15 to buy it online! Check the instructions on the KAXFEN Yahoo Group for how to get the discount.

39th St. Minsky's now
offers us a discount!

We just learned on Saturday that Kaxfen now can get  a 10% discount at the 39th Street Minsky's Pizza! The discount is good anytime, but if you plan a run over there after a meeting, they request that you call ahead so they can be ready.

You also can get discounts at these other fine local merchants:

The Marrakech Cafe
Two Prospero's Bookstores locations
Aquarius books and gifts
Vulcan's Forge fine jewelry

IMAGE CREDITS: The photo of Sherri Dean's Alien Eggs is by Jan S. Gephardt. The photo of Sherri Dean is from her Facebook page. The "Bylaws Book" image is from the A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering "ByLaws/Standing Rules" page. The ConQuesT 43 logo/lettering is from the ConQuesT website. The photo of 39th Street Minsky's is courtesy of Yelp! Many thanks to all!

Announcements and April Meeting

Last Chances and Important Votes!  And Eggs.
See below for details about the April 21 Meeting. Also, the deadlines for a discounted ConQuesT 43 membership are rapidly approaching!  Don't miss out!
Get the Skinny on ConQuesT 43 Guests of Honor!
Bryan Thomas Schmidt launches a new interview series on the "Grasping For The Wind" blog. Ursula Vernon, the Artist Guest of Honor is his first interviewee. Scroll down for his publishing schedule and more!
Full Already?

If you're an artist interested in showing at ConQuesT, better get registered! More details below!

Important! Don't Miss the April Meeting!

The usual day, the usual place--but not
your usual meeting!

Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO.
When: April 21, 2012. The General Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs till about 9:30.
Why: An important deadline, and some important decision-making, with a side of frivolity.

The important deadline we face is to buy ConQuesT 43 memberships in person by cash or check. All current members of KaCSFFS may buy their ConQuesT memberships at a discount, until May 15. But the last time you can do so without paying a fee to PayPal is at the April meeting! So if you haven't bought your membership yet, NOW is the time!

If you aren't a KaCSFFS member, you must pay the full pre-convention price.  You can buy one at the meeting in person, or on the ConQuesT website until May 15. After May 15, the only time anyone can buy a membership is at the door, for full price.

(BROAD HINT: if you sign up to volunteer at the convention, you get a bonus discount! So sign up to volunteer!)

The important decision-making will be reflected in our votes. 
We first must vote for the contested office of Secretary of KaCSFFS.  April is the start of our Fiscal Year, and as such is the "Annual Meeting" (In case you were wondering, March was the end of the Fiscal Year, and officially designated the "Fiscal Meeting," when everyone was supposed to renew their KaCSFFS memberships).

We have a Contested Race!

Sherri Dean (L) seeks to replace incumbent Jeff Orth (R)
as KaCSFFS Secretary.

Most of the self-nominees ran for their positions on the KaCSFFS Board of Directors unopposed, and thus were elected by acclamation. They are: Diana Bailey, President (formerly Director, but the IRS code says she has to be Madame President now); Cindy Norton, Treasurer; Jan Gephardt, Communications Officer; and Victoria L'Ecuyer, ConQuesT Chairperson for the planning year (2013, in this case; for those who don't know Victoria, we introduced her in an earlier post).

But we must vote for Secretary. The candidates are Jeff Orth (incumbent) and Sherri Dean, bidding to return for a new term, after several years off. As noted in last month's meeting follow-up post, each candidate made a statement:


Jeff Orth (incumbent):
"Jeff is bad secretary. he will continue to be a bad secretary. Some body should kick his ass. Diana certainly would appreciate it."

Sherri Dean (challenger):
"I already did this [serve as Secretary] before, but . . . I could do it again if you like."

Hotly contested, as you can see. Now you get to decide! (as long as you are a currently dues-paid member of KaCSFFS, that is).

Bylaws, too!
A Provisional Draft of the Bylaws on the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc. was presented to the membership at the March meeting, and has been placed in a file on the KAXFEN Group. It is the product of more than a year's work by the Bylaws Committee, and has been written to carefully align it with the rules governing 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations chartered in the state of Missouri, while at the same time retaining most of the previous practices of the Society.

At the April meeting we will cast a preliminary vote to ratify or reject this draft.

"PugnoM" made a Dalek egg.
How creative can YOU be?

And now for the Frivolity:
This month's food theme is Eggs--and let's have fun with them!

Yeah, yeah, we know--Easter's over, for those who follow Christian traditions. But all cultures enjoy eggs all year long. Not only are they delicious and full of protein, but they also are full of creative potential.

And as usual, we'll have a contest among those who bring egg-themed goodies. We will present Certificates of Eggceptional Eggcellence to the winners in the following categories:

Eggstra Delicious: Foods made primarily from eggs. These will be judged for pleasing appearance and delicious taste. Please arrange for adequate refrigeration when necessary!

Eggcentricities: Egg-themed food that is not primarily made from eggs (chocolates, cakes, or anything decorated to look like an egg, for example). Must be edible.

Cre-egg-tive Minds at Play: Inspired by the tradition of Easter eggs made purely for display, these miniature sculptures, like the "Dalek egg" in the photo, are not meant to be eaten! Instead, they should be looked at to be enjoyed. You don't have to use real eggs, if plastic eggs or similar egg-shaped materials would work better. Create a humorous character or situation, make something unlikely out of eggs, or whatever your imagination cooks up--and be sure to give your masterpiece an appropriate title!

Pick your category, and let's see who can eggsterminate the competition!

Ursula Vernon is a talented artist
and writer, soon to be our guest!

Don't Miss Bryan Thomas Schmidt's Interview Series, either!
Ursula Vernon is our now-Hugo-nominated(!!!) Artist Guest of Honor for ConQuesT 43.

She and our own Bryan Thomas Schmidt had a nice long chat recently, and he took the opportunity to ask questions about her work, her life, and her approaches to things.

It's all in his interview on the "Grasping For The Wind" blog. The post went live April 19, and will remain available even after Schmidt's next posts appear.

He has an interview with ConQuesT writer Guests of Honor, Steve Miller and Sharon Lee that is scheduled for April 26.

It will be followed by an interview about ConQuesT with Chairperson John Platt IV and KaCSFFS President Diana Bailey, scheduled for May 3.

And Finally, An Important Announcement for ARTISTS, from the ConQuesT Art Show Director

As I write this, ALL of our vertical panel space for the ConQuesT Art Show has technically been reserved, though some of those reservations are not yet final (payments pending). Reservations don't always work out, so if you still want to exhibit 2-D art, there's a good possibility that the first artists on our waiting list eventually will get space. Those who pay their registrations promptly get preference.

If you are an artist who exhibits prints in the Print Shop, we still have room. If you work in 3-D and can use table space, reservations are still open. All reservations must be received by May 1, and all mailed-in art is due by May 18.

IMAGE CREDITS: The photo of The Writers Place is from their website. The photo of Sherri Dean is her Profile Picture on Facebook. Jeff Orth's photo is also from Facebook, taken by Baron Dave Romm at this year's Minicon, 4/8/12, and posted on his Wall. The "Bylaws Book" image is from the A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering "ByLaws/Standing Rules" page. The "Dalek Egg" is from PugnoM's Flickr page. The illustration of Ursula Vernon is by Ursula Vernon, and came from the ConQuesT Guests page. The thumbnail of vertical panels at the 2011 ConQuesT Art Show is a detail of a photo by Ty Gephardt.

John Carter and St. Patrick--Plus Important Decisions

Introducing a new "Reviews and Commentary" Tab!

Check the tabs above this post, and notice there's a new one available. We've been wanting to start a page such as this, featuring comments about, and reviews of, works in our spectrum of genres for a while, now!

The page will feature opinions on books, artwork, theatrical productions, music . . . any art form that our readers care to write about. The page debuts with commentary and a brief review of the movie John Carter, written by KAXFEN Ken Keller and David Sooby.

Green Men of All Sizes--and Friends--Are Welcome and NEEDED at the March 17 Meeting!

Bring St. Pat's goodies to share!

Come early to The Writers Place, if you want to park within easy walking distance! We'll be competing with The Hoolie (featuring The Elders) at the Uptown Theater at the other end of the block that night.

We have many important pieces of business and several pleasant diversions in store.

You don't have to be green (it's never easy), but please do WEAR green! And bring green food, too! Check out the recipes on the "Lehigh Valley Live" website, if you need inspiration! 

Readings!

SF and F authors reading at the March 17, 2012 meeting, L-R: Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Sarah Frost, and Sherri Dean.

Jim Murray, A.K.A. Dr. Paisley, will
be on hand to read from vintage issues
of the KaCSFFS 'zine, Cacophony. 

Remember your delight as a little kid, when the wise adults in your home offered to tell or read a story? (If you have no such memories, we offer our sincere condolences for missing one of life's delights).

Recapture childhood glee with our program on Saturday!

KaCSFFS' own Bryan Schmidt, Sherri Dean, and Sarah Frost will read for about 15-20 minutes each, from one of their recent works of science fiction or fantasy.

Jim Murray also will read from one or more vintage issues of Cacophony, a fanzine/newsletter that he edited, and which was published by KaCSFFS for several years in the 1980s and 1990s.


Dues!
No one particularly likes to pay dues, but annual dues are DUE in March. When you pay your dues, either online via the sidebar to the right, or in person at the meeting Saturday, they do three very important things for KaCSFFS members:
(1) They make us members-in-good-standing, when they are paid on time.
(2) They thereby allow us to run for, and vote for, our Board of Directors.
(3) They also thereby make us eligible for member-discounts at ConQuesT 43, both locations of Prospero's Books, Aquarius Books, Vulcan's Forge, and The Marrakech Cafe, when we show our current membership card.

Memberships for New Members and Renewals
We will have a separate room upstairs where members can pay dues and receive laminated membership cards for the current KaCSFFS fiscal year. Members who already have paid, either online or at the February meeting, also may pick up their cards.

YOU MUST BE A CARD-CARRYING CURRENT KACSFFS MEMBER TO VOTE FOR OFFICERS IN APRIL. No "voter fraud" allowed--show your card for a ballot!

This meeting also will be the next-to-last chance to buy a ConQuesT 43 membership in person, and get the club discount (We will sell discounted memberships at the April meeting, too). Online club discounts will be available through April 30

Last Chance to Declare Your Self-Nomination for the KaCSFFS Board!
In KaCSFFS, no one can nominate you but yourself--and the last chance to do so for the 2012 Election is Satuday's meeting! This is because of an Absentee Ballot provision being introduced with the new Bylaws that are required for the 501(c)3 application.

Under the new Bylaws, the five elective offices on the KaCSFFS Board of Directors are President (under the old Bylaws, this office was called Director), Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer (formerly Editor), and ConQuesT Chairperson for the planning year (in this case, that means the ConQuesT 44 Chairperson. John Platt IV will serve out the final month his Chairpersonship of ConQuesT 43, without having to run for the office he has been filling all year).

And About Those Bylaws:
The Provisional Draft of the 2012 KaCSFFS Bylaws, which will bring the club into compliance with the Legal Code of the State of Missouri for its 501(c)3 application will be presented for commentary and voting. The version provisionally approved (or not) will be subject to further modification, pending a review of the Provisional Draft by the KaCSFFS membership.

We have a Bylaws Committee that has been working on this draft since last year. Any member in good standing who wishes to join this committee for the Final Drafting process should speak to Committee Chairperson Jan S. Gephardt Saturday, and all suggestions for revisions that come up in the discussion before voting on provisional approval will be noted and acted upon during the Final Drafting process.

A final version, titled Bylaws of the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc., and dated 2012, will be the subject of a straight up-or-down vote by the members at the May meeting.

Other Notes:

Help Robin W. Bailey clean out
his bookshelves!

We will have "get well" cards available at the meeting to sign for Alex Boyd and Suzette Haden Elgin. Diana Bailey will have them upstairs at the membership table.

Robin W. Bailey will be clearing out bookshelf and garage space by setting up a book sales table near the refreshment area, and selling books from 5:15 until the business meeting starts at 6:30. 


He says, "come a little early, check out what I've got on the table, and maybe find a few bargains. I'll have a selection of my own books and anthologies, as well."  

PHOTO CREDITS: The St. Pat's Day party cupcake image came from Lehigh Valley Live. The recipe is there, too, along with several others that look fabulous. The photo of Bryan Thomas Schmidt came from the bio page on his website. The photo of Sarah Frost is from her Writertopia profile. The photo of Sherri Dean is her Profile Picture on Facebook. Jim Murray's photo came from his profile on GooglePlus. The "candidate" image is from the Dixie County elections web page, for Dixie County, FL. The "Bylaws Book" image is from the A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering "ByLaws/Standing Rules" page. The "Book Sale image is from the Friends of the Batesville (IN) Memorial Library news page. Many thanks to all these sources for the use of these images!