Listserv edition
Published by Arnie & Joyce Katz
Special Thanks to: Robert LichtmanAlso available in a PDF format
We're on Our Way
Now that we've passed through the initial launch euphoria for the BBB Fund, fans all over the world are starting the real work: the process of turning plans and promises into concrete action. Getting the fabulous and erudite Bruce Gillespie to America is a great idea, but it's just four-dimensional mental crifanac until the BBB Fund reaches its goal.Although this is only the second week of the effort to bring Bruce to Corflu and Potlatch in San Francisco at the end of February-beginning of March 2005, we've already gotten some contributions. Ted White gets the honor of making the first cash contribution to the BBB Fund. We've gotten several other donations, too, so we'll begin a list of contributors and a running total in this issue of 4B.
The One Percenters
The BBB Fund aims to raise at least $2,500 to pay for round trip air fare and expenses during Bruce's US stay. When Curt Phillips heard that number, he only fainted for a little while. Then he pointed out that fans always consider themselves special, the one square peg among 100 round ones."We've one-percenters!" he wrote and then added that it sure would be nice if all these special people each contributed one percent of that two-and-a-half grand.
We understand that everyone can't afford to give that much and we happily welcome every donation, but we're also creating the One Percenter Club for those who do have the ability to fork over $25. We'll carry a running list of them starting in The BBB Bulletin #3.
The Wright Stuff...
Bill Wright, the Australian BBB Fund Administrator weighs in with news from Australia:
The Fund's Australian launch took place on Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at a meeting of the Nova Mob, Melbourne's SF literary discussion group. Bruce Gillespie presented his paper 'Wake up you lot!' on the influence the late John Foyster had as a critic of science fiction. Robin Johnson was our agent at ConTour, the 2004 New Zealand Natcon in Rotorura over Easter. See next week's bulletin for his report on fund raising there. So far, Down Under donations total AU$85.00, which is equivalent to US$73.00.Irwin Hirsh (the 1987 GUFF winner) has updated his Oz Fan Fund Website www.users.bigpond.net.au/hirsh/fanfunds.html to include details of the BBB Fund. It contains information about the fund, contacts, links to bulletins, links to the Corflu and Potlatch websites and, importantly, a bio of Bruce Gillespie.
Irwin is gathering material for a 'Best of Bruce Gillespie' publication that can be used for fund raising. There is no lack of material to select from at the Australian end, but he would welcome suggestions from North American fans for the best pieces to go in. Please send the reference (i.e., publication name, serial number, date, title of article and page number) to Irwin Hirsh.
- Bill Wright.
SF Commentary Online!
By the end of April, fans will be able to read a selection of issues of Bruce Gillespie's outstanding science fiction-oriented fanzine SF Commentary online! There'll be .pdf files of not only the genzine, but also apazines produced over the last 15 years. The URL: www.efanzines.com.
The BBB Fund Email Auction
Robert Lichtman is running an auction for the benefit of The BBB Fund. If you want to be added to his email list, contact him at the above address.If you have fanzines 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.
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.
The Bottom Line
All of this effort comes down to one thing: money. Here's the current financial status of the BBB Fund (exclusive of monies collected by Bill Wright in Australia):Here is the list of contributors:
1. Ted White
2. Robert Lichtman
3. Earl Kemp
4. Arnie Katz
5. Joyce KatzThe fund's current balance is $155.
See you all next week with more news.
- Joyce & Arnie Katz