Listserv edition
Published by Arnie & Joyce Katz
Special Thanks to: Robert LichtmanAlso available in a PDF format
Sometimes, a Great Notion.
No idea in recent years has galvanized fandom like bringing Bruce Gillespie to Corflu and Potlatch in San Francisco at the end of February-beginning of March, 2005."Bring Bruce Bayside!" is the rallying cry that has resounded throughout fandom since the end of Corflu Blackjack in Vegas (March 19-21, 2004). A passing mention in a post to the Trufen to how nice it would be to have Bruce visit rapidly metamorphosed into the BBB (Bring Bruce Bayside) Fund, and dozens of fans immediately stepped forward to volunteer support.
Among the first to volunteer was our dear and close friend Robert Lichtman. Imagine our surprise to discover that he was actually volunteering us (Arnie and Joyce Katz) as Co-Chairmen of the Bring Bruce Bayside Fund.
We're honored that Fandom has expressed that kind of faith in us and we will try to live up to the honor and responsibility of making this shared dream come true.
The Pot(latch) at Rainbow's End
The goal is to raise at least $2,000 - more would be a huge benefit - to pay for Bruce Gillespie's airplane fare and travel expenses. That's a lot of money and not a lot of time in which to raise it.Fortunately, The BBB Fund has a lot of fine fans behind it who are committed to making this Special Fund happen. Of course, all their work will only succeed if you contribute to the Fund.
You Are Now Reading
The BBB Bulletin is the weekly update on all matters pertaining to the Fund, plus whatever devilment its two editors instigate. We'll tell you the latest total of money raised, flag auctions and other events with a BBB slant, publicize special BBB Fund publications and report all important developments.There will also be a listserv version of The BBB Bulletin. We will distribute to Trufen, Fmzfen, Wegenheim, Nurofen, Timebinders and Southern Fandom Classic. If there are other listservs that you think would be appropriate, please contact me and we'll set it up. That will avoid the possibility of burdening any listserv with duplicate posts.
Although we expect the excitement over The Bring Bruce Bayside Fund will spark posts, we encourage you to write to the Co-Chairmen directly,
The BBB Fund Email Auction
Robert Lichtman has volunteered to run an auction for the benefit of The BBB Fund.If you would like to be added to Robert's email list to receive information on items, bids and sales, contact him at the above address.
If you have fanzines you would like to donate for auction, please contact Robert first to tell him what you have and what you think is a reasonable minimum bid. Robert will offer you the option of sending him the items for auction or, if he already has them in his own collection and can prepare a description for the auction, retaining them and volunteering to send them to the winner. In the latter case, Robert hopes you'll consider paying the shipping charges as an additional donation to the Fund.
The snail mail address is: Robert Lichtman, P. O. Box 30, Glen Ellen, CA 95442.
The Wright Man in Australia
Bill Wright having seen the value in sending Bruce out of the country for a week, is now Australian BBB Fund Administrator. Fans in Australia and New Zealand who'd like to support Bruce with a donation or fanzines for auction should contact Bill.
Special Funds in Fandom
Fandom has always recognized the importance of Special Funds to support a grassroots movement. It was a Special Fund, "WAW with the Crew in '52," that led to the creation of the first continuing fund, The Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund.The BBB Fund does not duplicate the work of DUFF, TAFF or any other ongoing travel charity. It will bring Bruce Gillespie to Corflu and Potlatch in 2005, not to the Worldcon as with DUFF winners.
While Bringing Bruce Bayside is our top priority, we don't want to detract from the existing funds. This is supposed to be in addition to the fine work they do. Conventions that donate money to DUFF or other funds directly, or through auctions, are encouraged to do so again this year, but we hope there might be a contribution or auction time available for The BBB Fund, too.
How to Send the Money:
We'll take your money in just about any form, but some ways are easier.Contributions from outside the USA should be sent in American funds, if possible. Otherwise, we'll incur some fees - but we'll happily accept what is left!
Make checks payable to:
Joyce M. Katz
PMB 152
330 S. Decatur Blvd.
Las Vegas
NV 89107, USA.We also accept cash, of course, but let the sender beware. We'll soon be set up to accept PayPal payments over the Internet. This is the best possible way to contribute, since the payment can be in American funds, you don't have to write a check, and you don't need to address and stamp an envelope. If you have a PayPal account, and you wish to use this convenience, wait until I send the proper information in the next newsletter.
If you drop me an email when you send your contribution, I'll send you an acknowledgment note when it is received. Questions? Ask me: Joyce Katz. See you all next week with more news.
- Joyce & Arnie Katz