National Committee Candidate Statements

nzLARPS
#1

Candidate Statement

Hi everyone, my name is Michelle Burt and I am standing for the position of National President. I am a hard working, open, compassionate person who is a good communicator and an even better listener. I am also highly committed to this community, helping Anna with Chimera, catering for Hydra, have helped out with catering for Teonn and currently am playing or planning to play in 3 projects. I think that all these traits put me in great stead to hold this position.

I want this position because I feel we need someone committed not just to helping the growth of our community but helping us grow in a healthy manner, helping to provide a hobby anybody can enjoy and feel safe at.

Thank you for your consideration.

Michelle Burt

#2

I suppose I have to do one of these.

Hi, I’m Idiot/Savant, and I’m standing for National Secretary. I’m used to committee work, having spent the last year as Wellington Regional Secretary. I’m familiar with the society’s constitution, and have some idea of the requirements under the Incorporated Societies Act. While its less of an issue on a strategic body like national committee, I’m used to doing game budgets and making sure they are both realistic and structurally profitable.

I admit that I had to be talked into it by Ryan, but I can do the job if you want me to.

#3

Candidate State

Heya guys and gals,

My name is Joseph Outram and I’m running for National Treasurer. I’ve been involved in LARP for a couple of years now and a member of nzLARPs for just as long. I’ve always tried to lend a hand where I can, and I figure where better than on one of the Committee’s that help to run the organization that I’ve become so involved in? I have a decent head for numbers and a hope for the development of LARP’s in New Zealand both of which I hope to bring to bear as National Treasurer.

#4

Oh, right.

Hi, I’m Russ Kale, standing for the role of National Secretary. You’ve probably met me before - I’ve been at many of the conventions in the North Island over the last two years, and have recently started forays into campaign gaming as well. I’m currently the president of the Victoria University Roleplaying and Games Club, and in that capacity I’ve been working to increase the number of active LARPers in the Wellington community.

The other candidates for this position have been involved in this community for longer than I have, and I have no doubt that if elected they’ll do fantastically. That said, I am keen to be involved in a greater capacity with the committee, am a quick learner, and have a good head for lists and timetables. Those that have run conventions may be able to attest that I can turn out quality productions on short notice. For all those reasons and more, I’m interested in filling the role of Secretary for 2014. (Oh, and I usually send emails at 2 a.m. anyway, so committee productivity might go up - think of me as the willing graveyard shift worker.)

#5

Hi, I’m Ryan Paddy, standing for National Marketing Officer.

I’ve served on the national committee as IT officer for a few years, and have also been a general officer on the Auckland committee before that. Besides official roles, I’ve worked behind the scenes to help the society in various capacities including as Diatribe administrator. I’ve been larping for some 24 years now, often writing and running games and recruiting players for them. I’m well-organised and have experience in working with teams both while creating larps and in my work life. I have experience communicating with the media about larp.

I have some plans for improving public understanding of larp in New Zealand, and bringing larp to people in places beyond Auckland and Wellington where we’ve been very successful. I also have some thoughts on making a name for New Zealand larp in the global scene so that we can attract more visitors and become more involved in the international larp dialogue. I hope to support the Auckland and Wellington marketing officers to help with the growth of larp in our big centres. Overall, I’d like to see the society build on its successes to help awesome New Zealand larps reach a growing audience.

#6

Hi, I’m James Cooper, standing for National Treasurer.

I have been thinking for a little while that I would like to get involved in NZLARPS beyond participating at games, and I believe the Treasurer role suits my abilities and personality best. I personally don’t have any particular plans at this juncture regarding any aspect of the Society, but I believe that I am able to contribute helpfully to the plans of others, and help lead the Society well as we further grow, and promote LARP throughout the country.

I believe I have am reasonably well qualified for the role. I hold degrees in both Accounting and Commercial Law. I have held similar(ish) positions before, having been at different times on the organising committees as Treasurer for both AMERICA and the Postgraduate Students Association at the University of Auckland. In terms of NZLARPS, I have helped out with organisational matters in Auckland at times, and moreover this year helped with the running of Chimera, in particular processing the payments received for it.

#7

Candidate statements

President
Hi, I am Rowena and I am running for President. I have had a lot of experience previously, having been the both the National and Auckland Secretary twice before, and this year I am on the Auckland Committee as the Marketing officer. When I was at uni I was also President of AMERICA, the university roleplaying club, where I was voted life membership after I retired due to the work I did. So I have a lot of experience with committees in general and NZLARP in particular. You may also know me from one of the many larps I have written and GMed.

The reason I believe that I will be a great President is that I am passionate about larp and improving larp in New Zealand. I am a highly organised and motivated person, with a strong sense of community and team work. I have a degree in management and 13 years experience as a manager in various fields, and I believe that experience will benefit me in leading NZLARPS. I want to see larping grow and thrive in NZ and believe that I have and can continue to work towards this. Please give me your vote for President.

Secretary
Hi I am Rowena and I am also running for Secretary. I have been secretary twice before both National and Regional so I am fully conversant with the demands and expectations of the role. I believe that the secretary is a crucial role on the committee, responsible for both maintaining the national database of members and informing the society of the decisions and actions of the committee.

In my previous years as Secretary, I instituted an email template for informing members that their membership had expired, and advising them how to rejoin. This was a manual process at first and then Ryan automated it. I also learnt a lot during this time about how to take minutes, and the importance of having them both accurate and timely.

If elected I wish to ensure that all business is recorded appropriately and the society at large informed of all decisions and outcomes. As the National committee is spread throughout the country, and meetings often take place electronically, it is still important that votes that take place on the backstage forums or via emails still should be communicated to the society.

Thank you for your consideration,
Rowena Knill

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