To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
From: lubell at boo.net
Subject: [WSFA] Re: The End of Austerity?
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:02:19 GMT
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

>     Like Elspeth and Eric, I generally favor being very cautious with
> our new found wealth.  The money isn't going anywhere and we need to think
> this situation thru before splurging.  I have seen any number of cases from
> the personal to the international where wealth proved to be a greater burden
> than poverty and I'd like for WSFA to do something smart rather than
> foolish.

Agreed.  I think we certainly should wait before committing any large amounts
of funds.

There are some things that I think can be taken care of right away.
1. Funding Capclave.  Normally each year's Capclave gets some starter funds by
having the previous year's Capclave buy memberships for those who worked a
certain amount.  Since my Capclave didn't make a profit, there is no starter
pool of money for Lee's Capclave.
2. Website. It hardly seems right to beg for donations for the website when the
club has such a large surplus.

>     On the issue of worthwhile projects, funding Capclave and our
> website strike me as good ideas and I think that practically all WSFAns will
> agree with those projects.

Absolutely.

>     I think that debating Capclave's future direction is a very good
> idea.  I like the idea of "premier con of its kind" but we need to resolve
> the question of what "its kind" is or should be.  I would rather seek our
> own niche than compete directly with Balticon.

Agreed.  I think organizing a "Future of Capclave" discussion would be quite
useful and think that after we vote in the 2006 chair in May, the three should
get together with the WSFA officers and determine what type of convention it
should be.  Personally, my view is that it should be a literary relaxacon.
We're not big enough to be all things to all people and there is already a
perfectly good convention nearby that does this.  I'd rather be the quirky
literary convention that brings in top-notch writers for literary discussions.

>     And what does the Austerity Committee actually do besides exhort us
> to bring money and food, and attempt to raffle off Lydia Ginter?

And remind us to be austere.

---------------------------------------------