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Greetings,
it is with some shock but with great honour I write to you all as the new OIC of RAFSTA. Having been a member for 20 years now I have seen the club go through some monumental changes, had a stint as CoSO and probably drunk far more beer than my liver would like! However, now a new position and a new challenge. Sadly Mark has had to step down due to other commitments and I would like to thank him for his years of time effort and dedication to the club. I hope he continues to stay with us for the journey and helps us forge a new future with all the challenges that await us.
Of course Mark isn't the only person to have stepped down, and it is with regret that Elaine has also decided to take a hiatus from the club. The position of CoSO demands a great work load that for the most part goes unthanked, I know! So I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Elaine for the hard work she put in, in probably the hardest spell the club has gone through. Daryl takes over as interim CoSO but has a lot on her plate coming up in the near future so watch for a permanent change at the top soon.
So what now? It is obvious we all need to put time and effort in if we are going to survive, effort that we must not shy away from. A club is nothing without members and our numbers have sadly dwindled over the years, this is the first thing we need to address. My first plea to you, as members, is to harass your sci-fi loving friends. Be they X-men, Walking Dead, Avenger or even (god forbid) new Trekkies or Star Wars fans. Let them know there are others with the same affliction out there and that there is strength in numbers. Secondly we need to entice back the old members. Yes they maybe grey haired and paunchy but if they can still hold a beer, let's get them back!
My last plea at this time is that you all try and get to the AGM. A lot of time and effort has gone into putting it together, and there are a lot of issues we need to discuss and vote for in the meeting. In order to get the best possible attendance and ensure the decisions arrived at reflect how you feel about your club I emplore you to attend. Heck I'll even buy you a beer or two. (four would be better- sub editor)
RAFSTA is unique, it has a fantastic history, a great reputation and an awesome pedigree and I am honoured now to sit as OIC. The next few months will test us and the very future of the club and we must work hard to ensure we survive and climb back to the previous lofty heights. After all we are the country's premier science fiction club,
So say we all!
Wade
Outings for RAFSTA
AGM 2014
The AGM for 2014 is to be held over the weekend of June 20th - 22nd. At the moment the sign-up for this event is considerably low with only four members actually having submitted the appropriate intent form on the website page. Even if your unsure, please complete the form, so we can gauge if its actually worth laying out the cash for the venue. At this rate I can see us all heading to Steve Buets house and pitching tents in his garden. Everything you need know about the venue is on the website page. So please make your intention known, even if your not coming, can you fill in the form to that fact. thankyou.
Also, if you have any items for the Charity AGM Auction, can you please forward the details to Steve Buet who is organising this years cash builder event.
The nominated charity this year is FAB.
RAFSTA Website:
And Finally:
If anyone has anything to mention regarding the Association or Events and feel members need to know, then please get in touch using the magazine email address. thankyou.
Message from the OiC;
Message From The Treasurer;
Hello,
I have in my possession several items with the RAFSTA logo beautifully embroidered onto them for sale at a price any Ferengi would goto war for.
Black polo shirt, size M @ £6.50 Black sweatshirt, size XL @ £12.50
Grey Marl polo shirt, size M @ £6.50 Red long sleeve T shirt, size L @ £9.50
Red polo shirt, size L @ £6.50 Kiwi Green sweatshirt, size M @ £12.50
If you are interested in purchasing a superb garment, then please get in touch.
Fran xx
f.kane@rafsta.org