Ideas, Goals. Norwescon 31 2008 - NWC New

Dear William and all the Con Com.

Here are my ideas for 2008.  I would be delighted to elaborate, explain and brain storm with you on any and all of them.  I am in love with NWC and want to do what I can to become even better.  It is one of my absolute favorite weekends of the year.

1) Become a 501 c 3 Federally recognized Non-Profit.  I know of a woman, Sandy Deja (http://www.form1023help.com/) who used to work for the IRS and now helps groups form into Non Profits.  I think it can be done (with her doing a lot of the work) for ~$1,000.00. Just one of the benefits of being a 501c3 is you could then offer teachers Clock Hours (required of them) for attending the Con.  This would make them very happy.  In addition, donations would be tax-deductible, as would be goods and services.  You have the organization and the accounting in place.  I think it would be the best for NWC to do this.


2) Do you currently advertise to Libraries and Literature Teachers?  We get authors here!  They could be very interested.  More interest if we were a 501 c 3.

3) Help me organize a Ben Franklin performance to benefit NWC 31.  You could get 100% of the profits.  I am serious.

4) I liked the SCA Fighting demo on Sat.
  Variations: Leave it on Saturday and invite people to bring the fight scenes from their writings and have the fighters re-create them... to see if they would really work.  Could be fun:-)  Also, I think I could arrange a series of hands on Arts and Sciences for Sunday from various re-creation groups (Black Powder, Revolutionary, Medieval, Norse, etc.  From Bobbin Lace to Calligraphy and Illumination, Wood working, etc.  

5) Dynamic Group Creation: From the attendees that show up to this panel, we will find mutual interests (remember "6 Degrees of separation") and ideas of helping one another.  If the group wishes, the group can continue with an online version.  
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

6) Roving Video:  Maybe a High School Video Class would be interested in attending and taking video clips of the panels and workshops, hall costumes and snippets of interesting things going on to be edited (for class credit) and aired on the TV Channels.

7) Recycle Bins:  In every Hospitality Suite and Party Room, we need to recycle at least the aluminum cans and get the money for them.

8)  Parking: It sucked.  I recommend, at least for the day tripping panelists and guests, to use the High School Parking lot down the street (due East) or a local Park and Ride and have the Hotel proved shuttle service.  It does not make Hilton look good to have their guests not be able to park when they are renting a room.  I have more on this if you want.

9) Bigger Fonts on the badges (although the quality of the badges and neck hangers are GREAT)
10) Bigger Fonts on the Table Name 'tents'.

Panel Ideas for 2008.

A) Modeling for Art Classes Panel (I have been doing art modeling (clothed and nude) since 1973.  It is a good way to listen in on good art instruction and get paid.
B) Sonnet Demo - 50 minutes = 5 Sonnets and a number of Haiku, Shakespearean Speeches and some Norse Edda.  Bring your best subjects and watch a master create. (Well, yes, it would be me)
C) Slavery in the Modern Age: Slavery did not go away with President Lincoln.  It is alive and malignant.  An examination of the history of slavery, especially in America and the reality of the modern blight.
D) Labyrinths, history and how to draw a simple one in your garden, driveway or on the beach.


All for now.

Robin ( I think I am settling on G.Robin Smith for the official name and Robin for saying "Hey" in the halls. ;-)

--
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G.Robin Smith climbs stairs to support Leukemia research
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