Cindy K. -Statements and Responses

[awindowacrossall]

This thread is for Cindy  to answer questions in regard to her candidacy for the office of Gold Usher. Cindy may also use this area to introduce herself and make any appropriate comments as she so chooses.

[MadMadamMissy]

Stephen's questions:
1) While the Order of Gallifrey has 805 members only 26 people voted for Lord Commander in the 2015 Elections. That means a person could effectively win the Presidency with as few as 9 votes or 1.06% of the member base. Why do you think that is and what would you do when planning events to try and excite & increase the activity of our membership base? Additionally, does the group warrant so many elected officials when in some ares they end up out numbering the general active membership?

2) Can you show us an example of the correspondence that you might send to a convention like Gallifrey One to request a table, meet up space or some other group activity?

And one fun one for the road…

3) What skill set or experience do you have that qualifies you for the role of Gold Usher?

4) If you could only do one of your cosplays for the rest of your life – which would it be and why?

****

1) Wow, you do ask the tough questions. I think voter participation is due to a combination of ennui and the fact that the boards are a separate entity from the much more active Facebook page. However, FB is a flawed platform for official group functions, so while it might be "easier" to get people to participate there, a great many would miss official information due to it falling off the news feed or never showing up thanks to FB filtering. Ultimately, a person's participation in the group is a matter of personal choice and I am not a fan of the idea of forcing people to participate at a greater level than they're comfortable with. Some folks come to OoG just for help with their costume, and that's... okay. Those of us who wish to take part in the direction of the Order, are always free to do so. And so far, this has worked for us.

I do agree that on the surface our leadership appears top-heavy, but this is partly because the group is so young, and rapidly growing, so a structure is in place to support a much larger future organization.

2) With regards to the specific convention you have mentioned, they are not currently accepting new groups for tables. Believe me, we have asked, and will continue to check in periodically to see if anything opens up. Other conventions each have their own official channels, usually in the form of an internet form to fill out, though occasionally smaller conventions we could contact directly via email, but that will most likely fall to the bronze ushers of your local sector.

3) I previously served as Bronze Usher for Bad Wolf sector. During my time we set up a few events such as a booth at Anaheim ArtWalk, Long Beach Comic Expo, and a panel at Gaslight Gathering. We were, of course, much smaller back then, brand new, and we were blazing our own trail - as we continue to do, though on a larger scale, today.

4) Ooh an equally tough question! This is really really hard. Obviously my Missy is a fun costume, but I'm growing increasingly fond of the 5th Doctor, and I currently have two different versions of that. But my currently-in-progress 7 is looking pretty awesome, so... Very very hard to choose. I suppose Missy. The baddies are so fun to play.

***

Sandi's question:
What do you see as the biggest challenge or opportunity as Gold Usher? And how would you go about meeting that challenge?

***

5) I see one of the bigger challenges of Gold Usher as finding the balance between what falls under the umbrella of a Bronze Usher, and what merits attention at the International level. In many ways, the music is made by each musician and the conductor coordinates their efforts to bring the symphony together. I see Gold Usher in much the same way - help the Bronze Ushers by supporting their efforts, and seek inroads to the larger events by working in tandem with local officers. But really my vision is to encourage and support the local sectors' efforts.

(Cindy K.)

[MadMadamMissy]

And Alex's questions:
1. The Order of Gallifrey has grown rather rapidly in the last year, with far more events and activities than we had last year, and many more responsibilities. With that in mind, do you believe you can coordinate activities and promote the group as required by the Order?

2. The officers have strongly suggested over the last few months that a dedicated social media/web officer be created or appointed. What are your feelings regarding this matter?

3. We have small but growing groups outside the United States. How would you help to make them feel like equals? How would you help coordinate them?

4. The Order has, twice now, been threatened with "blacklisting" because we have hosted panels or talks at an event that was considered controversial by the organizers of another event. It has never actually happened. What would you do if you were approached with rumors of this? What about actual evidence? What would you do to manage the situation? What if the situation actually occurred - we were blacklisted from an event with no possible reprieve, and there was no means of reversing the decision? How would that change your approach?

****

1. As I mentioned in a response to an earlier question (sorry, the Gold Usher questions were spread across two different threads it seems), I see the role of the Gold Usher as supporting and encouraging the Bronze Ushers with their efforts, and working in tandem with them for events that merit national attention in their sectors. I think teamwork is essential in our organization, and though many times the work ends up falling on one person's shoulders, it would be better if we all worked as a team.

2. Now here's an interesting question. After giving it some consideration, I think perhaps this is a good idea. Sure, nominally it seems to fall under the Ushers' responsibilities, but it is a concentrated function sufficient to fill a position in its own right, and the advantage to separating out those duties is having someone focused on it. This is also an excellent position for someone with a great deal of enthusiasm, but who may be less interested in the more tedious aspects of leadership. I would suggest that the social media officer participate functionally as an Usher, or at least as a deputy Usher, however folks would prefer, to emphasize coordination of efforts between their role and that of the bronze and gold ushers.

3. Yes, attention is needed to underserved areas! One thing we might consider is the creation of some kind of "lost souls" outpost, where members in far-flung regions can find eachother and begin to work on forming new regional outposts and sectors. Also, and this may fall under the social media role you mentioned earlier, is it perhaps time for the Order to create some kind of a blog? Leadership from all sectors could submit items to be coordinated by the social media officer (and possibly the gold usher?) into a consistent presentation. It will give us a chance to bring (inter)national attention to the activities of the local sectors, so members in far flung regions can also enjoy what's happening in other areas. I know I seem to have gone a little off topic here, but what this would also mean is that we can bring attention to activities in outposts and newly forming sectors, so all members can feel as if their participation is equally appreciated.

4. ... Seriously? This is a thing? I may weigh such a threat... briefly... consider the reason behind such a threat, and then most likely proceed as planned (unless such consideration turn up a valid reason to do otherwise). I'm not a big fan of political drama - if an event wishes for our participation, they should take it on the merit of what we have to offer, not who else we're talking to. If we found ourselves blacklisted from an event solely on the basis of participation in another event, I would find myself asking what kind of event operates in such a manner, and whether we would want to be associated with them. There are already so many events that we have to pick and choose where to put our efforts. If an event wants us, treats us well, and asks us to participate again, that sounds like a relationship worth fostering. They say time heals all wounds, so in some situations the best approach may be to retreat, regroup, readdress at some future point. Either we offer something they want for their event, or we don't. We need not obligate ourselves to panels or tables at every con - in many cases a group photo or meet will suffice. And those can be privately coordinated.