The results are: 197 SF-related items, 52 non-related items. Thus the national SF convention is being polluted by non-SF things at a rate of 21%
I think we set a benchmark of 20% at our first committee meeting, so that sounds about right.
If I had a £1 for every time someone suggested (or insisted!) we include a fannish programme item and had to give £1 away for every person that was willing to participate in the suggested fannish programme items, I'd be comfortably weighed down by £1 coins.
So why didn't Odyssey get enough volunteers to participate in fannish programme items? That is a panel debate I'd like to see myself - and am very willing to take part in. I had a really nice time socialising at the fan lounge in Montreal but even there, at a Worldcon, it was severely under-utilised. I'm perfectly willing to include any SF or fan related programme items at Olympus 2012 providing there are enough people willing to take part in it. No need for guerrilla programming; just get your programme item together within a sensible timeframe and we'll pencil you in. I am also unlikely to want to move too far from the 20% allocation to non SF items. These are there to add flavour and light relief, both of which I believe are necessary for a full 4 day convention.
On another note, I had no idea I was so influential :) Myself and vindolandia are the only two members of Odyssey 2010 to be on the Olympus 2012 committee and for both of us, Odyssey was the first committee we've been on. We will be joined by 3 newcomers to Eastercon committees and two members of the 2008 Committee. As far as the 2014 bid for a UK Worldcon goes, I believe I am the only common factor between Odyssey 2012 and the 2014 bid, so I guess I must be one of those mover/shaker thingies if that commonality has got you lot all worried that I will destroy fandom as we know it :) Really, I won't...
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Thus the national SF convention is being polluted by non-SF things at a rate of 21%
I think we set a benchmark of 20% at our first committee meeting, so that sounds about right.
If I had a £1 for every time someone suggested (or insisted!) we include a fannish programme item and had to give £1 away for every person that was willing to participate in the suggested fannish programme items, I'd be comfortably weighed down by £1 coins.
So why didn't Odyssey get enough volunteers to participate in fannish programme items? That is a panel debate I'd like to see myself - and am very willing to take part in. I had a really nice time socialising at the fan lounge in Montreal but even there, at a Worldcon, it was severely under-utilised. I'm perfectly willing to include any SF or fan related programme items at Olympus 2012 providing there are enough people willing to take part in it. No need for guerrilla programming; just get your programme item together within a sensible timeframe and we'll pencil you in. I am also unlikely to want to move too far from the 20% allocation to non SF items. These are there to add flavour and light relief, both of which I believe are necessary for a full 4 day convention.
On another note, I had no idea I was so influential :) Myself and