Via Chris Garcia:
The 2010 TAFF race (Eastward: North America to Europe) is now open for nominations. The winning delegate will attend the 2010 Eastercon, Odyssey, in London over the Easter weekend, 2-5 April, 2010.
To stand as a candidate, you must provide:
- Five nominations from known fans, three of whom must be resident in North America and two resident in Europe. All of these should send a signed nomination via postal mail – or, if sending the nomination by e-mail, include a phone number for verification
- A written platform, not exceeding 101 words
- A $20 bond (US or Canadian dollars)
- A pledge you will take the trip if you win
All nominations, platforms, pledges and / or bonds must arrive with either the North American or European administrator (see below) by midnight GMT on Sunday, 4 October, 2009. Provided at least two candidates meet these requirements, the distribution of ballots will begin immediately thereafter. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the administrators. If you plan to run, please alert them as soon as possible.
Chris Garcia (TAFF Administrator, North America)
garcia [at] computerhistory [dot] org
962 West Weddell Dr. #15, Sunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
I am not well known to the Fanzine community in Britain to get enough nominations. I have always wondered what it would be like for an anime (biggest Strength) fan to be a TAFF delegate. I think anime conventions and fandom can lean alot from Science Fiction fandom and vice versa.
We discussed this on several occasions in Montreal, Tom, and I still consider Flick’s suggestion — that anime fandom set up its own race, initially as a one-off in order to test the waters — to be the most sensible course of action.
One point I’d note is that traditionally, at least, fans who vote for TAFF have often tended to vote at least partially on the basis of who is the best writer and will produce the best and funniest written report.
This has not always been the case, of course; it’s merely a tendency that has very often come into play as a major consideration.
I’m not well-qualified to speak to how much writing ability, and written wit, remain as a factor in TAFF races of recent years.
There’s also a considerable history of people not getting around to producing trip reports, of course, or at least, not completed ones. And some candidates have made a point of saying they weren’t going to do one. It’s absolutely not a requirement, and never has been.
It’s difficult to see how strong writing abilities could hurt a candidacy, however.
Actually, there are no American/British style Conventions in Japan for anime fans. The thing I am thinking about is doing with Hal-con (for 2011), but I will need to get somebody to Translate to Japanese any introductory letter to them.
Incidentally, if you’re going to mention the TAFF race being open, you should mention the DUFF race.
Tom S.: how about if an anime fan who is also part of the fanzine community were to run? Would that be good?
Not an entirely hypothetical question; in what is undoubtedly an episode of temporary insanity, I’m finishing up a draft platform tonight, and then I’m going to see if there are any BNFs I know who aren’t already planning to support someone else.