[size=150]The Live Action Role Playing Society [/size]
A group of kiwi LARPers have decided to form a society to promote LARP and support both players and organisers. The name of the society will be “The Live Action Role Playing Society”, or LARPS for short. The society will be an incorporated association.
We feel that the local LARP scene will benefit from an organised community to help both new and ongoing LARPs. A lot of logistical work can be shared between LARP groups. Groups playing games in similar genres can benefit from a pool of common equipment that doesn’t disappear when a campaign ends. The society will encourage members to diversify and try different styles of game. Organisers will have a support network of members keen to help new games. This will help take some of load and stress of new and existing GMs.
The society will support LARP-related activities in two ways:
1. LARP Projects. These are projects that are run within the society. They will often be games or campaigns, but also include things like social events and training courses. These projects will be lent funding, equipment, and logistical support. This funding will include all the money up front to run the game, hire locations, buy or make new gear, etc. At the end of each project the LARP society will be repayed the funding, and the society will retain ownership of any equipment built with its funding. For example, Mordavia will become a project of the LARP society and donate all of its resources to the society, borrowing it back for future events. Note that the owners of project games have complete creative control over them. For example Ryan will continue to control Mordavia and he does not need to be in the LARPs committee to do so, although he must be a society member.
2. Associated Organisations. These are independant groups that want to create links with the society. Associates will have deals created as required, such as a discount for LARPS members who attend a game in return for borrowing some equipment from the society. These groups will not receive funding from the society. LARP organisations that don’t run games may also become associates. For example, Paddywhack has expressed interest in becoming an associate and offering discounts on latex weapons to society members in exchange for advertising to members.
Existing local games such as Skirmish or Nightmare Circle and new games can join at either level if they wish.
The organisation will be democratic, run by a committee voted in by society members. To get the ball rolling we’re opening up to public nominations and voting for the initial committee, which will consist of the positions and responsibilities listed below. These committee members will meet to discuss the society and vote on major decisions. The first term is expected to be 12 months.
President Adam
Responsible for overall running of society. Promote the vision of the society, chair committee meetings, work for consensus in the committee, cast deciding vote in case of ties. Attend meetings as society representative.
Secretary Rhiannon
Keep all club correspondence in an organised fashion. Send letters as required. Send reminders of meetings to committee members. Take minutes at meetings and distribute to committee members. Communicate decisions made by committee to members.
Treasurer Steve
Responsible for society finances. Keep general ledger to track society expenditure and income. Pay all society accounts. Bank money received. Advise on availability of funds for projects and committee initiatives. Distribute budgets to project owners and receive repayments. Pass accounts to society accountant to be registered with the government. Present financial report of current position at committee meetings.
Project Officer Hans
Responsible for liaison with project owners. Make suggestions to members of project concepts that may meet the needs of members and help promote local LARP. Take submissions for new projects. Arrange for advice to be given to project owners. Help project owners to present project concepts to the committee, or present them in their absence. Advise in discussions of suitability of projects for support from society. Discuss committee decisions with project owners. In case of project rejection help the owner to re-prepare the submission in a fashion more likely to be accepted. For accepted projects, liaise and assist the project throughout it’s lifecycle. Maintain public calendar of project-related events, notify members of upcoming project events, and resolve potential timing conflicts between projects. Report on state of current projects to the committee.
Equipment Officer Mike
Responsible for society-owned equipment. Organise for equipment to be stored, cleaned, repaired, and made available for project events. Keep records of where equipment is kept. Advise committee and project owners on what equipment is likely to be useful to current and future projects. Facilitate equipment workshops with project owners. Suggest equipment purchases. Report on state of equipment to committee.
Community Officer Lucy
Responsible for maintaining goodwill within the community of society members. Also responsible for promoting the society and LARP in general to the public. Greet new members and introduce them into the society. Arrange for social gatherings and self-improvement initiatives. Arrange for LARP and the society to be promoted to the public. Report on initiatives to the committee.
General Officer x 2 AJ, Nikki and Craig
Can take up responsibilities as required.