First off, since I have been somewhat remiss, I want to thank everyone for their congratulations and well-wishes from Sunday’s journal entry. Make no mistake, I am honored and gratified to have been chosen for the 2008 chairman position. If there’s any tremor in my voice, it’s due to the realization of how big the scope of the position is and of the challenges that lie before me in the coming year and a half (or so).
There is one thing that I wanted to touch on, though. Many of you have heard me say this before over the last fifteen (!) years, but it certainly bears repeating.
Furry conventions, and indeed any fannish-run convention (or SCA event, or what have you), are part of our hobbies. To my mind, a hobby is something that you do for fun, to take you away from the humdrum of the everyday world. To that end I think that it is extremely important that while we are engaged in hobbies, we are enjoying ourselves and having a good time. Because in the end, if a hobby isn’t fun, why are you doing it? And to be honest, if you’re not having fun, it shows. It drags down those around you. And it puts you on the fast track to burnout, where anything associated with your hobby fails to bring you happiness. That, to me, is the worst of all possible outcomes.
I never want someone to work with me at a convention because they feel guilty, or because they have a feeling of obligation. That isn’t what conventions are about. Sure, the immediate task may not be that exciting, but overall the opportunity to give something back to the community, to meet new people, to work side by side with your friends, to enjoy the challenge of bringing order out of chaos – that is what I would hope people get out of the experience.
The corollary to this applies to those who aren’t working the convention. I would never think less of someone who isn’t interested in volunteering or who says, “I need a break.” If it’s not fun, if it’s not enjoyable, then don’t do it. Don’t let working take the fun out of your hobby.
Now, I hope I’m not cutting my own throat here, but what I want to say is that if someone feels that they are not enjoying working for a convention, I would hope that they would be willing to say so. I would consider them no less a friend for their decision, because hey – I want to see my friends enjoy themselves too! And for those who work the conventions and find joy in the work they do, you should know that your efforts are deeply appreciated, not only by the other staff of the convention but by all of the attendees as well.
Something to consider for those who have not worked at conventions: there are always opportunities to help others, and to see the convention (or event) from a different angle. As people take a break from helping out, new blood is needed to keep the convention going. And hey, you can usually get a nifty T-shirt or membership out of the deal, too! 🙂
*blinks* Did I miss a post *goes back and looks* Crap. Such an unimposing post. More like a meep! o.O I’m doomed post. ;x) Congrats.
So where do you need..*smack paw away from keyboard before he finishes that sentence*
Bad Kellic. Bad!
You hit the nail RIGHT on the head.
For years and years as I was growing up, people always assumed that I would do something in computers or IT, but as I started college I realized that I liked computers as a hobby. I did it for fun, and as much as I enjoyed them, I didnt think I would enjoy working on them..because that just makes it work.
No one in my family seemed to understand that.. you summed a lot of that up perfectly.
Bravo!
It’s one of the reasons that I threw my hat into the ring and took the reins at RCFM for their Art Show this last year, and then the Programming chair this coming year. I had a great time, great help from those who worked with me as staff – and had lots of fun with it.
Other conventions, that I’ve tried to help with – no such chemistry. In fact, felt more left out when I tried to help… and decided it wasn’t fun, and not worth it either.
So while I congratulate you highly on being selected as Con Chair, I also offer you this perspective, from a leader in my own field: “Don’t forget that not every team works the way you expect it to, and real leadership is about not only those who put forth 100% – but that they would be willing to do it again, and then put forth 110% next time – because they want to work that much better for you.”
I’ve got a book you may like.. Do you ever read business type books?
Duncan, your thoughts on some of these points and matters perked me up. I love being Staff and had a great couple years with you and Takaza and the gang at Artist Alley/Con Store for Anthrocon. But I think I did hit that ‘burnout’ point where doing ‘that specific thing’ was becoming ‘no fun’ for me. Thus the reason I politely declined joining your crew for 2007. I was more than happy to help in one afternoon of payout! (and aside, Rigel was happy to have me helping him on his crew!)
I suppose my point being is, thanks for just reiterating yoru points of confidence and how you feel about staffing and volunteering. It eases my own guilt slightly of “but that’s what I’ve ‘always’ done!” (And double-besides, I think Rooth who effectively ‘took my spot’ is more than happy to hop in place!)
I’m sure you’ll do a smashing job as the Chairman! I know you have the determination to get a crew of willing staff and volunteers and make that con a hell’ve a fun time for all attending.
S&M – Staffing and Moaning…
When it comes right down to it… Despite all of our bitching and whining… Our bemoaning the long hours and how little we get to see of the rest of the convention… When it comes down to it, every single staffer is a bit of a masochist. No matter what we SAY, we love the pain. We enjoy the waking up early and the long hours, we revel in trumping each other with stories of how late we partied, how few hours’ sleep we got and how damn early we had to be at “work”.
We love it, every last one of us.
And yeah, we all need a break eventually, there’s no point in burning yourself out. But as much as we claim that we’re forced into slavery, as much as we grin and nod when a fellow peon tells us about how Duncan wouldn’t take no for an answer… We all know there is no “safe word”. We are all comfortable with actually saying the word, “No.” But we also realize that saying the word, by actually saying No and meaning it, the fun will end. You’ll let us off without question, with but a smile and heartfelt appreciation for all we’ve done. And that would be it. We’d be free to “enjoy” the con.
But we all know, there’s a line between “us” and “them”. Between those who run the con and those who simply show up. (We call that line the gophers.) But in truth, it’s an actual barrier, a social divide if you will. We don’t look down at them, they don’t look up at us; we all stand on equal ground… But we accept that without us, there would be no them. They know it too. And to have been on this side of that divide, to receive their appreciation, to know the power that comes with being “in charge”, well… it’s an intoxicating thing. Because as much as we bitch… We LOVE what we do and we love who we do it with. To walk away from that, would to walk away from everything and everyone that makes us enjoy the con. Yeah, we’d be “free” but what exactly we’d be “free” to do is something that, well, is beyond most of us.
As I always say:
When a masochist says, “Hurt me.”
A true sadist replies, “No.”
You sir, are as much a masochist as the rest of us. And we love ya for it. Because we all know you’ll never tell us, “No.” And so… we happily return the favor.
I volunteer because I like to, and I want to :P. I get to meet a lot more people that way, I’m not forced into too many awkward situations, I usually have someone new to talk to every hour or two, and it never get’s booring.