nzLARPS 2011 AGM - Election of the National Committee

nzLARPS
#1

Hi everybody,

As a result of the changed structure of nzLARPS from previous years, the nzLARPS National Committee will be elected via postal and email ballot, to be conducted as follows. Please read the following post very carefully to make sure you understand how the election is being conducted, and what you need to do to have your say!

Nominations
If you want to run for one of the positions on the national committee, or you want to nominate someone, please nominate them/yourself in the thread title “nzLARPS AGM 2011 - National Committee Nominations”. The candidate must accept the nomination, and they must be seconded by a seperate person. The nominator, the seconder and the candidate must all be current members of nzLARPS. All candidates are encouraged to put forward a statement explaining why they’d be great at the position and what they hope to achieve. This should be at least 100 words long but ideally no more than 500 words long. The deadline for all nominations and candidate statements is Wednesday 14th September 5pm.

Voting
If you live out of Auckland
nzLARPS members who live out of Auckland will be mailed their voting ballots and a stamped return envelope on Thursday 15th September. You will need to complete it and post it so it returns to Auckland by Wednesday 28th September. Please make sure to update your current address on the nzLARPS membership database, or to email nzlarps2011agm@gmail.com.

If you live in Auckland
nzLARPS members who live in Auckland will cast their votes for the national committee by filling in the ballot form at the Auckland Regional AGM. For those who cannot make it to the Auckland Regional AGM may specifically email secretary@nzlarps.org with their address and ask for a ballot form by mail, this must be returned by post or in person

Vote Counting
A Returning Officer will be elected at the Auckland Regional AGM on Wednesday 28th September, and all postal ballots will be turned over to him/her unopened, along with all the votes cast in person, and via email. S/he will count the votes after regional elections have been held, and the National Committee will be announced there, and subsequently on Diatribe.

Remember, you need to be a member!
If you are an Auckland nzLARPS member, please do turn up. We need a large percentage of our membership present to qualify quorum, so come along and bring all your nzLARPS friends. If you are not yet a member of nzLARPS but wish to be, please email Rowena at secretary@nzlarps.org and she’ll set you up - it’s currently $20 for one year’s membership for adults, and $15 for students and beneficiaries. We have heaps of awesome events coming up, so the time has never been better to join

Any Questions?
This is only the second time we’re doing this, so if anything is unclear, please pipe up and let us know and we will do our best to iron it all out.

#2

Can I please ask that anyone that wants a postal ballot to please email me or PM me with your address ASAP. In order to have all the ballots out and back in a timely manner, I would like to have as much prepared as possible such as the envelopes addressed etc.

#3

Here’s my candidate statement.

Candidate statement for position of President - Ryan Paddy

Summary: the society is going through a growth surge that’s going to require a highly active, cohesive, communicative, and foresighted national committee to see us through. I am standing for President to lead that change to the new style of national committee we now need.

NZLARPS has come a long way. As an avid larper I’m proud of how well the society has grown, while continuing to reflect the spirit of inclusiveness and sharing that it was founded on. However, there have been growth pains with the re-structuring of the society into a national hub with regional arms, and we are still working through these. Increasingly large and frequent events are being run in Auckland and Wellington, with the potential for growth in other regions, and the national committee needs to shift up a gear to keep up with this acceleration in activity.

I’m standing for President because I would like to help lead the society through this exciting but difficult phase of our growth. This would be my first time as President, but I have been a regional and national committee member over the years. I was involved in designing and establishing the society, and have run a financially and creatively successful campaign with a significant budget, so I know the ropes.

The regional committees are the engines of NZLARPS. Larp is a localised activity, and it’s the regional committees that provide larp services directly to our community. They coordinate the funding, gear, and planning support for the larp events.

The national committee, on the other hand, provides services to the regional committees and the members to support your ambitions, and strategic oversight to give the society a cohesive vision and standardised processes. That may sound rather fluffy, but it’s a lot of work. Doing the society’s finances, keeping track of memberships, communicating with the community, advocating larp, compiling information from the branches and maintaining Diatribe and the society website is a workload that needs constant attention across the year. As we grow, the national committee requires an increasing degree of cohesion and coordination both within itself and in its relationship with the regional branches.

As President, I would be dedicated to ensuring that this coordination starts to happen, so that the national committee has the drive and foresight to keep up with the regional growth. As the current members of the various committees can attest, I can be a pain in the arse when it comes to pushing for greater communication and responsiveness on the private committee forums, but I think that’s what we need to shift us into the new patterns of activity that are required to meet the society’s needs. The committee members need to be constantly letting each other and the community know what we’re up to and what our challenges are, sharing our ideas, and helping and encouraging each other. I’m dedicated to the continuous improvement of our processes, whether they be financial, logistical, or for communications, so that the national committee can become the efficient service hub that it needs to be for the regional committees. We need to foresee and pre-empt the increasing demand that the national and regional committees will be under, so that we’re not buried by it.

I’m looking forward to another awesome year of larp in 2012, whether as President if I’m elected, in some other committee position if that’s the way the dice rolls, or as a player and game-runner, which is where the real fun happens anyway. :wink:

Thanks for reading,

Ryan

#4

Just noting that the final date that Anna specified for nominations and candidate statements for the National Committee is tomorrow.

(Updated) There are still a position on the National Committee that we don’t have a candidate for. What we have is:

President
Ryan Paddy
Scott Kelly

Secretary
Zara Parsons
Ellen Boucher

Treasurer
Joseph Outram
Anna Klein

Marketing Officer (updated)
Michelle Burt

Information Technology Officer
None

Unless someone is nominated & seconded & accept for that last position in the next day, or the nomination deadline is extended, we won’t be able to elect anyone to that position. I don’t think the clause in the constitution to allow committees to fill casual vacancies would apply in this instance, so the positions might be vacant until the next AGM or SGM.

If everyone was able to attend the physical meeting then additional people could just get nominated on the night. But that’s not the case: we need to give people who live in other cities sufficient chance to know who is standing and vote.

So if folks are interested in these positions, speak now (or tomorrow) or forever hold etc. :slight_smile:

#5

Candidate Statement - Anna Klein for National Treasurer

Hello, my name is Anna, and I would like to become national treasurer in order to put my knowledge of nzLARPS’ financial history and financial procedures to use in working with the regional secretaries and the society accountant to complete nzLARPS’ historical documentation and its compliance with IRD requirements. I have worked closely these past eighteen months with the current treasurer and the society’s accountant as we have worked on entering the club’s fianancial information into MYOB, so I am familiar with the current procedures and the current state of the accounts.

I have run events through the society’s financial machine since early 2007, both on small and large scales. I have run events in both the Auckland and Wellington financial regions. I genuinely think one of the most wonderful things that nzLARPS provides is the financial security for people to be able to run events without fear of incurring personal loss, but I also understand that the perceived difficulty with paperwork, red tape, and bureaucracy can put people off. I would like, as national treasurer, to work with regional treasurers to make sure that we make the financial system as easy to use and as transparent as possible by improving online documentation and resources for the society members to use, as well as being approachable for advice on just how to get it all done with no hassles.

I have the experience, the knowledge and the passion for the society’s vision to get this job done. Please vote for me for national treasurer :slight_smile:

#6

Candidate Statement: Ellen Boucher for National Secretary

First, I think that 2010-2011 was an awesome year for NZLARPS, and the National Committee was pivotal in making that the case. They did a fantastic job, and I want to add my voice to the thanks being expressed to them.

I want to be part of the National Committee’s work going forward, both to strengthen links with other organisations, and to grow our already-great community. I love LARPing, the friends, the adventures, the experiences and memories. I’d like to help ensure that those who are already in love with LARP are able to keep on enjoying it, and to bring more people into the community so they, too, can have fun participating in a pastime that has given me so much.

As to why I want to be Secretary, I believe the position suits my abilities, experience (I work in admin in ‘real life’, and was Wellington Regional Secretary last year), and personality: I’m patient, friendly, organised, prompt, and I keep on top of things. The Secretary role, though, is just one part of the team that makes up the National Committee. The way I see it, keeping my remit in hand supports the other members of the Committee in doing their jobs, and I’m keen to do just that. I believe that communication is also incredibly important in a successful committee, and I can offer good skills in that area.

I am Regional Director of the Wellington Committee, and believe that as well as having the time and structure to do both roles, that my post in Wellington will be a help, as it means I am well placed to keep the National Committee in the loop about what is happening in our region. As I’ve been on the internet since it was all fields, I’m used to getting things done online, so I feel I’d be more than up to the forum and e-mail based nature of the National role.

Thanks for your time, I hope I have persuaded you to vote for me, but whoever you vote for- please do vote. :slight_smile:

#7

First up, I would like to thank the current committee for all the work they have done over the previous year. There has been a lot of growth, and a lot of hard work put in by the committee to make the most of that, especially with work such as the promotion of the society at MOTAT and Armageddon. And now we need to continue with that hard work and continue pushing NZLARPS forward.

I believe that I am a good candidate for President. I see the National Committee’s role as growing larping in New Zealand, building relationships with outside agencies and like-minded organisations and helping to guide and support the regional committees rather than dictate to them. I see the President doing the same thing with their committee: knowing each of the positions on the committee while not needing to be an expert in every role themselves, they should be able to trust each of those elected officials to do their job and ask for help when needed. The President though should have good communication skills, be approachable, adaptable and have drive and determination. I have these qualities, and that passion for larping.

As well as continuing our day to day business and expanding on the relationships the current committee has established, I see the potential this year to grow membership right across the country, encompassing the South Island and supporting larpers down there, as well as working with groups such as the university games clubs and other conventions such as the national sci-fi convention. I want to work on a cohesive inter-regional calender to make sure enough LARPs are being run right around the country to meet demand, and to assist new GMs with the resources and support they need. I see larping as a hobby that anyone can get involved in: it’s inviting, with friendly people and a fun time. There are larps to suit a wide range of people and I would like to see us getting even more people to try it.

Though I am based in Wellington, I do not see this as an issue as the National committee work is largely done electronically. I am also up in Auckland several times a year and occasionally down in Christchurch as well. I have been larping for about 16 years now and I still love it. In terms of committee experience, I have been on the Wellington regional committee as the gear officer since the founding of the Wellington committee three years ago. I have also served as treasurer and secretary on committees for rescue teams and the Wellington American Football Association. In my professional life, I currently work as a project manager in IT.

I hope that people here will vote for me, but regardless of the result I will continue to contribute to and a be a part of this great culture.

#8

Hello my name is Michelle and I am running for National Marketing Officer. Though I’m a fairly new face around the larping world, I feel my enthusiasm makes up for lack of experience. My wish in this role is to help NZLARPS in growing our public profile and increasing our membership numbers through larp related events and fundraising. I have previously helped run a pool club in Papakura, as secretary and treasurer, as well as running pool and poker competitions, as well as quiz nights at a friends bar on the North Shore and hope to use these skills for the betterment of our community.

Thank you for your consideration,

Michelle

#9

do we still have no nominees for IT manager?

#10

Michael Andrew has been proposed and seconded, but he hasn’t accepted.

Going by Anna’s instructions I gather the candidate would need to accept by Wed 14th Sep so that people have time to vote by email/mail. The constitution also indicates the candidate needs to accept the nomination.

#11

Just a reminder that as per the constitution, only those who do not live in Auckland are able to vote by email. Those members who reside in Auckland and are in Auckland at the time of the AGM must vote in person. There is no provision for proxies. In case of extraordinary circumstances that prevent and Auckland member from attending to cast their vote in person (i.e. hospitalisation, rostered working hours) then the chair may allow email voting such a case.

#12

When should we expect to receive the details about email voting?

#13

It was given at the start of this thread, and I believe several messages were sent to the Wellington mailing list.

#14

Results of the National Committee voting are as follows:

President
Scott Kelly

Secretary
Ellen Boucher

Treasurer
Anna Klein

Marketing Officer
Michelle Burt

#15

Congratulations, guys.

#16

Great stuff, very exciting to see a mixture of Wellington and Auckland larpers on the national committee for the first time.

#17

Yeah, but how do we fill the vacant IT Officer position?

#18

There’s a section in the constitution that allows for vacant positions to be appointed by the committee, but I’m not sure if it applies in this circumstance:

The present situation doesn’t seem to fit the bill of a “casual” vacancy as defined there. Having said that, the committee could chose to interpret that part of the constitution as applicable, and unless there were objections to the interpretation from the members (which would have to be decided in a vote at an SGM) that would stick.

Alternatively we could hold a national SGM to elect an IT Officer, but that’s a pain.

In either case, we’d need to finding someone willing to do the role. [size=60]I nominate Viperion.[/size]

It would be ideal to fill the role, but the committee can do without it, just as it could limp along with a Marketing Officer. The various IT jobs (like administering Diatribe) can be done by volunteers appointed by the committee, as they were before the position exists. The main loss is of a voice for IT strategy on the committee.

#19

[quote=“Ryan Paddy”]There’s a section in the constitution that allows for vacant positions to be appointed by the committee, but I’m not sure if it applies in this circumstance:

[quote=“NZLARPS Constitution”]The Committee shall have power to appoint a member to fill any casual vacancy on the Committee until the next Annual General Meeting caused by resignation, death, expulsion, absence or removal from office and any member so appointed shall (except in the case of resignation, death, expulsion, absence or removal from office) hold office until election of successors to office at the next Annual General Meeting together with the rest of the Committee but all or any of the retiring Committee shall be eligible for re-election.[/quote][/quote]It seems to me that the “absence” part of that clause applies here, but I am not a lawyer, nor have I ever played one in a LARP :wink:

[quote]In either case, we’d need to finding someone willing to do the role. [size=60]I nominate Viperion.[/size] [/quote]I’m right here, you know :stuck_out_tongue:

More seriously, what does the role entail (in detail if possible) and would it be possible to perform it from way down here?

Viperion

#20

See? The power of interpretation. Personally I would interpret that as meaning that if an elected member is somehow absent - not turning up to meetings, not in comunication, not in the country, etc, you can roll them and replace them (there is a separate clause about how to roll committee members).

However, your interpretation might be much more convenient for the committee. :wink:

I posted a detailed list of jobs performed by the IT officer on the national committee forum, which you have access to as Dunedin rep.

That was just the IT fairy stuff though, the big thing I didn’t mention there was “strategy”, i.e. helping the committee decide on what new or improved IT solutions may help the society going forward. It’s really up the person in the role what that means, of course. Plus, voting online on national committee motions. General committee rabble-rousing is optional, my penchant for that reflects my personality not the role.

Physical distance isn’t an issue, in my opinion the national committee shouldn’t need to meet in person. This is especially true now that half of the committee members are in Auckland and half in Wellington, although by the look of things they might all be at Teonn games and maybe Chimera so physical meets are a possibility.