Why would that be a reason for me to say that? Those are two entirely unrelated topics.
Frankly my transportation is limited. I have an eye issue that, for the time being, prevents me from driving (it's the same issue that necessitates use of a walker at times, which you saw at the previous meeting as well as the con itself), and public transportation is limited in where it goes. Con meetings are oftentimes beyond that limit.
However, as staff, I would find an alternative, even if it meant attending via Skype. Hopefully I could attend in person, so my aim in that regard would be to find someone to get rides with. But I'd be there even if it had to be electronically.
Anyway, getting to some previous questions (I apologize for the late answers! Wasn't formally nominated until yesterday):
Are there any areas pertaining specifically training to chairing Relations, for this specific con, in which you feel you would benefit from additional supports, trainings, or instructions?
Each candidate: Have you selected whom you would ask to be your Assistant Director?
-Well, I'm always up for more education. And in general this would be a new experience for me, so of course I'd need advice on that. I think the same would be true of anybody seeking the position, first time or not.
-No I haven't, and I would need to speak with others about their inputs. I expanded on that above.
How much should a Relations Director keep the other directors informed of what they are doing and what they might be planning?
Anything that isn't absolutely confidential, and even then I would make sure to find out from whoever was telling me it was (ie, whoever I was in the process of ironing out contracts with) who, exactly, could be let in on things.
What will you do to try and work out free/potential/busy slots for Programming as early as possible so that preliminary versions of the schedule can be more easily drafted and later versions have fewer changes?
Are there any 'prime' slots that guests often ask for?
Are there any 'odd' slots that might be fun for some guests?
I would try to arrange at least a rough copy of the schedule a few months in advance, and post it for all to see so that any mistakes or panelist schedule conflicts could be worked out in plenty of time. I don't think that it's all that important to have fewer changes as long as those changes are of value, and as many conflicts as possible are worked out before we hit the press.
I can't say for sure, but I would think that they don't want to conflict with other similar guests, and don't want to be too early or too late. Same with any other panelist.
I can see a midnight chat being pretty fun, although I'm not sure what you mean by "odd". I recall an "up all night" panel at Sakura Con one time that, while unofficial and having no official guests, was an absolute riot as the night wore on.
What would you recommend to help the Charity Auction raise the maximum amount of money while keeping the live auction itself relatively close to ending on time? (Seeing as how many who show up for the auction tend to leave so that they can watch the closing ceremonies, and all).
I would introduce online bidding, as well as the on-site bids. Perhaps we could provide a list of predecided lots in order as well, although I'd have to check on the feasability of that.
Regarding Dealer's Hall Booths, projected income from them is usually part of our budgeting process. When providing booths for compensation other than money, what do you consider to be due diligence on this? Should the Board or the Treasurer be informed? If the trade is for prize support, should Programming be checked with to see if the support is the sort of items we want? If it's for items we'd use as give-aways, should the booth cost be debited against Publicity's budget? Is it appropriate for the con to be indirectly giving money to charity by providing free booths for auction items, and if so how do we reflect that budgeting internally? While I am a fan of charity, is losing several hundred, or more, out of our budget the best way to get items?
I wouldn't provide a full compensation that way, although partial may be workable. Items offered should be cleared in advance, and of course the board and treasurer should be informed. Publicity should be approached seperately about this, hopefully by the vendors themselves.
Heck, I could see us implementing a concept similar to how charity drives often have an "admission fee" of a charitable item donation--ie, to be a vendor you pay x amount plus an item from your shop to be donated to the auction (which in turn provides advertising in the con book and at the auction itself).
Amber, I can name two different con related events where I personally saw you punch a wall due to being upset. One was at a K-Lite at PSU when the group of people going to St. Cupcake left before you showed up to join the group and the other was outside of a General Meeting at the Doubletree. I feel that these two instances are enough to judge that you are not an appropriate person to be in an Executive Position or represent Kumoricon to Guests or Industry at any level.
Sorry to be very direct, but that is my stance.
And I hold that none of that has any bearing on my ability to make decisions. Also that first one couldn't have happened, because I left *with* the St Cupcake group.
Anyway, as I said, I'm an emotional person. Those emotions come out. I'm also an intelligent, rational person used to making important decisions that affect others (as a moderator of Bulbagarden Networks, a very large Pokémon website). As I've also said, I think the view that emotional people can't be effective leaders is foolish. Emotional expression has nothing whatsoever to do with the ability to lead or make decisions.
