Nominations are now open for a Down Under Fan Fund delegate from North America to the 51st Australia national science fiction convention Continuum VIII, Melbourne, 8-11 June 2012.
Founded in 1972, and supported by donations from s-f fans all over the world, DUFF sends a delegate from North America to Australia – New Zealand, or the other way, in alternating years.
Delegates are chosen as people whom fans on the visited side would like to meet. The delegate travels as much as possible, makes friends, radiates goodwill, and becomes the Adminstrator in turn on the home side until the next cycle. Delegates’ trip reports are sold to support the Fund. I am the current NA Administrator. The ANZ Adminstrator is David Cake.
Three NA nominators and two ANZ nominators are required for each westbound candidate. Candidates should submit a written platform of about 100 words and a donation of at least US$25.
Nominations will be accepted until midnight 11 May Pacific Daylight Time. The ballot will be published as soon as possible thereafter with candidates, nominators, and platforms. Voting will probably close 31 May. Two suitable candidates have already emerged, one from the United States and one from Canada.
Send paper mail to me, John Hertz, 236 S. Coronado St., No. 409, Los Angeles, CA 90057, U.S.A.; call me if you wish at (213) 384-6622. Checks in U.S. money should be payable to DUFF. Send E-mail, and PayPal donations, to Marty Cantor. Consult me about donations in Canada money other than by PayPal.
Dave Cake can be reached at dave@difference.com.au. Consult him about donations in Australia or New Zealand money other than by PayPal to Cantor.
This close schedule is regretted. The DUFF delegate may be unable to attend the 33rd New Zealand natcon unCONventional, Auckland, 1-4 Jun. However, a reasonable amount of contact, merriment, and satisfaction should be possible.