Well, we have a number of new questions now ready to be answered so here we go. If I accidentally miss your question, I apologize. PM me and I will edit it into my answer sheet. I wouldn't want to leave anyone out.
So the first question, Hawkeye asked how candidates plan on having budgets approved in a more timely fashion?
Quite a good question as it effects the ability to run our departments. I plan to examine the budget, the expenditures and the receipts from the past few years, accounting for the spending in the department, what was necessary, what is subjectively important, what is already accounted for, what isn't, and growth trends over the past few years. Running a calculation based upon expected growth I would then, before the general meetings have started, submit a planned Operations budget, preferably to coincide with the previously mentioned progress schedule, so that expenditures are excepted well ahead of time. This way, hopefully with the assistance for the Treasurer, funds can be processed in a timely fashion, as much of the accounting and paperwork will already be taken care of well before the funds are actually needed.
The second question is about how we plan to guarantee that non-producing or counter productive directors would be held accountable?
My hope on this is to press the idea that all directors should have assistants, if they fail to choose one themselves then the board does so, who can assist them during the convention and learn the ropes in case of emergencies or illness prevents a director from being able to do their job. This would also provide a step in should a director have to be removed from his position. This backup should provide the board with the necessary incentive to remove someone who is damaging the convention without worrying about leaving a void. In the end, though, the only true guarantee that can be giving is in the morality and scruples of those making the decision. Will someone be honest and do what should be done even if it is not easy? I like to think that all the candidates would answer yes to this.
The third question, taken in two parts here, how do we plan to improve inter-department communication and prevents conflict and excess redundancy between departments?
As to the communication, the forums provide a good starting point for communication on top of which we have email, phones, and meetings (both general and executive) during which directors can directly communicate. The use of the assistants would provide a backup for communication in case the director themselves can not be reached while a list of managers for each department would allow for quick reference of any information needed from another, though this should ideally go through the director, unless they are incommunicado. Regular updates on the status of the department should include the information about what is currently being worked on by each of the managers, this should prevent 'stepping on each others' toes' as any areas where this would occur should be clearly obvious. In such cases where both departments need to have a say a liaison can be appointed between the two managers.
The fourth question is where are all the candidates from?
I am from Oregon. I was born in Portland, and with the exception of 6 months in my first year, lived in Salem until the age of 23. At that point I moved to Southern California to work for about 9 months then returned to Oregon where I spent the next three years living and schooling in Portland.
The fifth question, what are your ideas for new content for Kumoricon 2008? Panels, sponsors, groups, anything?
I saw a discussion in the forums recently regarding video content of the convention. I rather liked the idea and would like to see the convention board back a recording group to operate at Mini-con, Kumoricon, and several other pre-convention occasions performing interviews and video editing towards the production and release of a Kumoricon commerative DVD showing many of the major events, interviewing some of the more notable people at the convention, and the like.
I would also like to see the creation of a Kumoricon improv cosplay group who would volunteer with us during the lead up to events. Both by being a form of mascot for the convention but also providing entertainment during long lines by performing improv shows along such lines.
An introduction to Eastern Martial Arts panel seems like it would be popular and could provide a good contact point between people interested in martial arts, and the martial arts schools in the area to help our attendees and staff to get in contact with a popular form of exercise. Additionally a panel on oriental cultures (Chinese, Korean and such as well as Japanese) could provide information about local groups that run cultural events, holidays, temples, and the like.
The sixth question follows if you (the candidate) were elected and had the opportunity to restructure the organization, what major changes would you make? That is, new/removed/changed departments, and/or moving major functions from one department to another.
At this point I feel that the convention has found what works so far as the departments, directors, and managers. The only actual changes I would make to this would be in supplementary positions such as the liaison position mentioned earlier, a community manager working for publicity or relations to talk with community groups, arrange community outreach and publicity events. As previously mentioned I would like to change the setup of the A/V so that Ops cares for equipment between uses, while Programming cares for it during setup and use.
And the last, but certainly not the least question, what flavor of pocky do we like?
Strawberry with crumbles. Mmmmm mmmm fruity goodness.
My hope is that the directors of the previous year will be willing to stay on in an advisory role for the next few months, until the general meetings start to provide insight and suggestion to their successors. This could be a massive advantage as it would help people to fit into their role and provide a transitional period for all of the staff.
