Torcon, redux

[carynb]

Well, I'm now on the board for Torcon III. I'm a little surprised that happened - there were 9 candidates, and only 5 directors needed, so I am more than a little surprised that I ended up there rather than, say, marahsk.


The results were kinda interesting - the board now consists of two accountants (Larry & Sue), our legal counsel (David), and two people (myself & Irwin) who have been fairly quiet during the meetings. Basically, we're two people who seem outside the politics of the mess that was the last board, and I'm guessing that's why we were chosen. Actually, three of us have been pretty non-political so far, since one of the accountants - Sue - also falls into that group.

Since we still don't have accepted financial statements for fiscal year 2003, the accountants are undoubtedly going to be playing a crucial role in the work that's left. I'm still really surprised (and disappointed) that the previous board approved the chair's second attempt at Financials after we'd rejected the first ones over a month ago. To make it clear - I'm not saying that there was deliberate malfeasance or anything like that. There were, however, 2004 expenses recorded in a 2003 income statement. How does one put a category such as "Noreascon Thank you party" - which hasn't happened even now, mind you, and won't happen for another 3 months - in an income statement for December 31, 2003? That's a budget item, not an expense at that point.

Since what's left (hopefully) is mainly cleanup, I think we should be able to get it all done fairly quickly. One concern I have right now is that we're a pretty local group, without a lot of connections (except for Larry, anyway) to fandom as a whole. I'm not even sure whether any of us are going to Noreascon, and having no-one from the Torcon III board there would look really bad.

The results actually had a three way tie for the fourth & fifth spot, and if I'd been thinking, I would have stepped down for avt_tor. He's got those connections, and I certainly have no doubts about his willingness to do the work, or his integrity. It just happened kinda fast, and he'd stepped down before I had a chance to think it through.


Well, the first Board meeting is in a couple of weeks (one member or another is out of town until then), so hopefully, after that, I'll have a better idea of the amount of work remaining.

Comments

I dodged the bullet

[avt-tor.livejournal.com]

Geez, I would have felt guilty if you had stepped down first. I didn't run because I wanted to be on the board, I ran to try to keep other people off. ;) What you are calling my "connections" are "other commitments" to me. :)

Anyway, experience and connections are useful, but I consider more important qualities to be a willingness to listen and learn, a sense of integrity, and a value of commitment. Of the people who were elected, you're the best one there. And what I mean by that is, don't let other people push you around because they supposedly know more. Check the facts and find things out for yourself.

While I am not an expert, if you're looking for advice on financial statements, fannish customs, or whatever, I'm sure I could come up with some opinions. Email me or call me anytime.

You should try to come to Noreascon. It'll be fun. :)

Re: I dodged the bullet

[carynb.livejournal.com]

While I am not an expert, if you're looking for advice on financial statements, fannish customs, or whatever, I'm sure I could come up with some opinions. Email me or call me anytime.

Thanks, I'll probably take you up on that. I hate feeling that I don't know what I'm doing, and the easiest way to solve that problem is ask someone who does. :-)

You should try to come to Noreascon. It'll be fun. :)

Unfortunately, I work for a company that's waaaay chintzy on vacation time. So, if I take the week off, it'd probably have to be without pay, and I really can't afford that. I've already planned to go home for the first week of July, so I'm using up my allotment there, basically. So, it's highly unlikely I'll be able to make it. It does sound like fun, though.

[marahsk.livejournal.com]

I am more than a little surprised that I ended up there rather than, say, [info]marahsk.

Honestly, I wasn't the least bit surprised. Most of the people in that room don't value experience or connections. Or me, particularly. At least this Board is made up of competent inexperienced people. ;) I voted for you, btw.

I didn't really want it, as I'd prefer to spend my time working for people who do value me. I only voted for myself so I'd know I got at least one vote. :)

[carynb.livejournal.com]

I certainly hope we'll be competent, as a group. I think we will, but I wish I knew how much work actually was outstanding. I'd really like to make sure the volunteer reimbursements are made before Noreascon, at the very least.

And I can tell you that you got at least two votes - I voted for you, as well. I certainly appreciate the amount of work you've done over the last 5 (or is it 7?) years. I mean, I know I did a fair bit last summer, but that's nothing compared to the amount of time & effort you put in.

And I can certainly understand you prefering to put your effort in where it's appreciated. Me, I just want the whole mess cleaned up and the book closed on it.

[marahsk.livejournal.com]

I certainly hope we'll be competent, as a group. I think we will, but I wish I knew how much work actually was outstanding.

I think you will, too. The lack of communication was one of Torcon's worst problems. You guys have bought a pig in a poke--it's all your responsibility now, but you haven't seen a financial statement or been told what has and hasn't yet been done.

I'd really like to make sure the volunteer reimbursements are made before Noreascon, at the very least.

That would help make Torcon look less disorganized.

And I can tell you that you got at least two votes - I voted for you, as well. I certainly appreciate the amount of work you've done over the last 5 (or is it 7?) years. I mean, I know I did a fair bit last summer, but that's nothing compared to the amount of time & effort you put in.

Thank you for that. It was 7, btw. :)

And I can certainly understand you prefering to put your effort in where it's appreciated. Me, I just want the whole mess cleaned up and the book closed on it.

Well, I accepted the nomination because I think getting it finishedis important, and because I honestly believe myself to have been among the 5 most-deserving candidates (and, I suppose, because some little part of me hoped for acclimation for the last 7 years, although the rational part of me knew better).

[marahsk.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I meant to echo avt_tor in saying that I too would be happy to answer any questions you may have or offer advice, or whatever, if you'd like.