We're Young Adult at heart, for the April meeting's program--plus, we get a new Board!

What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting
When: Saturday, April 15, 2017, 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Food Theme: Favorite "Spring Things" to eat or drink

What's the buzz with YA science fiction and fantasy?
A year ago, David Means volunteered to make a presentation about YA (Young Adult) science fiction and fantasy. It is a growing field, but also one that has attracted some of the field's most esteemed writers for decades.

The Chronicles of Narnia, the Harry Potter books, the Hunger Games series--it pays, to pay attention to this niche! But how exactly is it defined? What are the hallmarks of a great YA book and who are the hottest new writers in the field?

We hope you'll enjoy this discussion!

Time to renew the Board of Directors!

Who will replace Margene at the podium in

2017-2018?

Changes are in the works, on the KaCSFFS Board. This month, Margene Bahm will complete her second year as Director, and she's formally stepping down.

Who will replace her? While it's not too late for a contested race, so far David Means has been brave enough to step up for KaCSFFS Director. Looks as if this could be a really busy night for him!

All of the other current Board members have self-nominated to remain in their positions, although any other dues-paid member who's been in the club for at least a year may self-nominate on Saturday. If someone does, we'll vote to decide the matter.

For the record, your current Board Members are: Earline (Cricket) Beebe, who's been our Treasurer since 2014; Marisa Means, Secretary since 2016; Jan S. Gephardt, Communications Officer since 2011; and William McCullough, Registered Agent (a non-voting position) since 2016.

"Spring Things" Food Theme 
A lot of us are seasonal eaters. We look forward to tummy-warming comfort food for winter, seasonal fruits through the warm months, cooling drinks in summer, and so on. What are your favorite foods in springtime? We hope you'll bring some to share!

IMAGES: Many thanks to Bookish for the YA banner (featuring selections from Summer, 2016). The photo of Margene at the podium (by Jan S. Gephardt) is from the June 20, 2016 meeting. And many thanks to Amy Loves It, for the beautiful "Spring Produce" image.

2016 KaCSFFS Thanksgiving

The KaCSFFS tradition of having a Thanksgiving dinner together each year was started so no KaXFAN would ever have to go through the season without Thanksgiving dinner (even if it was a bit time-shifted). We made sure of it yet again this year, at The Writers Place. Here are some photos.

We opened with a short business meeting, conducted by Margene Bahm.

While waiting for other diners to take their turn, we enjoyed good conversations.

Feasters began with the drinks and turkey meat.

From there, they moved on to the side dishes.

The dessert table offered a variety to finish things off. 

Then everyone dug in. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

After the meal, one group went upstairs to play a tabletop game. Others sat around and chatted, or participated in an informal beer-tasting. A good time was had by all.

IMAGES: All photos are by Jan S. Gephardt.

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!

Fireside Chat set for May Meeting

What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting (#517)

Where: The WritersPlace

3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

When: Saturday, May 16, 2015

5:30 Board of Directors—open meeting

6:00 Doors open for setup and pre-meeting socializing.

7:00 Meeting begins

Food Theme: The theme for this month’s food is your favorite food from the 1930’s or 1940’s. Research is fun!

FDR could only have a one-way chat with his audiences.
We'd like to set up a more 2-way chat!

The program and meeting this month will be a Fireside Chat with new President Margene Bahm. You will learn more about her and some club history and hopefully she will learn more about you and what you would like to see you club do in the way of activities or projects.

Folks on FDR's "receiving end."

The May business meeting will include some Board reports and member announcements and updates on events happening in the coming weeks and months.

Please join us for post-meeting food and discussion at either Sosa's or Chubby's or somewhere else of your choosing (to be selected after the meeting).

See everyone Saturday! 

IMAGES: Many thanks to the "Rhetorical Analysis" page for the image of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, with mikes in place for his version of a Fireside Chat. The photo of Americans sitting around their radios on the receiving end is from the SaLuSa Blog.

Election Meeting Saturday April 18, 2015

The Writers Place

What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting

Where: The Writers Place 

3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

When: Saturday, April 18, 2015

5:30 Board of Directors Meeting—open meeting

6:00 Doors open for setup and pre-meeting socializing, and paying dues if you want to vote. 

ART SHOW: View a sampling of fantasy and sf artwork from the collection of member Corey Barber!

7:00 Meeting begins: Board reports, member announcements, and updates on events happening in KC in the coming weeks and months.

A word about the ART:

Hanging on easels and all downstairs walls will be a very special science fiction and fantasy art exhibition. All 30+ framed artworks are from the huge 1000+ piece science fiction and fantasy art collection of longtime KaCSFFS member Corey Barber. On display will be a sampling of his favorite pieces. He will be available to answer any questions you may have. All paintings return to his home following the meeting.

Choose between two Presidential Candidates

Online voting is open through Saturday 4/18/2015 at 5 p.m. (members should have received a message containing a link to the online form), or members may vote at the meeting. To vote for President, 2015/2016 annual dues must be paid. To pay dues, please see KaCSFFS treasurer Earline Beebe before or right after the meeting begins. 

Our Candidates 

(Alpha order by last name--no preference implied!) 

Each presidential candidate was asked to submit a photo and a platform statement. Please note that Tim Keltner plans to make an expanded statement at the meeting. 

Margene Bahm

Margene Bahm: 

If I am elected President of KaCSFFS, it is my goal to facilitate the membership’s goals for the club whatever they may be. We may end up with one path or we may end up with several but together we will succeed both individually and as a group.

KaCSFFS has been around for 44 years and I would like to see it continue for another 44 years. We need new goals and new insights to encourage the enthusiasm of our members. Together we can do anything we decide we want to do.  So let’s get out there and do it!

Tim Keltner

Tim Keltner:

When I served as KaCSFFS Director before, I had planned on at least a two year tenure. Family circumstances made that plan change and I have felt, for some time now, that I owe the club, at least, another year, Accordingly, and because my job situation has changed and I am no longer working third shift, I am throwing my beanie into the ring and running for club President. "May fortune favor the foolish!"

Other Board positions have only one self-nominee each. Since they are running unopposed, there is no voting on the following:

Secretary: Kristina Hiner

Treasurer: Earline "Cricket" Beebe

Communications Officer: Jan S. Gephardt

2016 ConQuesT Chair: Keri O'Brien 

After the meeting: 

Please join us for post-meeting food and discussion at either Sosa's or Chubby's (to be selected after the meeting).

IMAGES: As ever, many thanks to The Writers Place for the photo of our meeting place. The photo of Margene Bahm is from her personal Facebook page, used by permission. Tim Keltner provided his image for use here. Many thanks to all!