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FFANZ
Fan Fund of Australia and New Zealand
Q&A
Some question and answers about FFANZ lifted from the 2003 Race nomination form.
What on earth is a fan fund?
A fan fund is basically a means of promoting closer ties between fans of different countries
by sponsoring trips to conventions in other countries. Money is raised by donations, voting fees,
through auctions and sales of all sorts of stuff.
What do I get if I win?
Enough money to pay for a return flight to the Con venue, plus accommodation at
the convention and maybe enough for a bit more travel before or after the convention. Usually the
convention will donate a free membership too.
Can I nominate with someone else?
Yes, there have been winning teams of two and even three before. This may well mean that you have
to pay a lot more of the costs yourselves as the money will only stretch so far. Nominating your
entire convention committee is probably a bad move.
Can I nominate a stuffed toy?
Well, yes, but I would suggest that the stuffed toy should run in conjunction with someone capable of
taking on the administrator functions. Otherwise the stuffed toy will be placed in a padded bag and
mailed to the convention. For a precedent, look to Renaldo the Party Sheep who was accompanied by
Frances Papworth & Phil Wlodarczyk to Construction in 1998.
What happens at the con?
Usually the fan fund winner(s) is treated like a convention guest and will be invited to take part
in various panels and activities. Apart from meeting the other guests, it raises your profile and
means that people you don't know will actually come up and talk to you (assuming you have remembered
to shower and change your clothes). This is the whole point, to promote ties between Australian
and NZ fans.
What happens after?
You become the administrator and try and raise enough money so that you can run another race in
two years time. It’s easier than it sounds, as a lot of people are willing to buy stuff related
to the fan funds. You also write a trip report, so that people know what the con was like and what
fellow fans across the Tasman are like. The trip report is usually sold (another fund-raiser) and
at one stage there was money being donated by a US con for any trip report that was published.
Can I Help?
Of course you can. The easy way - send money - donations are always welcome. If you want something
for your money, participate in a fund raising event. This includes the election, buying a trip
report or buying something at a FFANZ auction. But not just paying money. If you have items to donate
to an auction, that would be cool too. You may want to host a visiting delegate or just show them around
your town. Maybe lend a hand getting an auction going or helping out with an election. I'm sure
you get the idea.
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