This is the electronic version of the ballot.
It was produced by Jean Weber. You can vote using the form at the end of this page, or you can print a copy of the ballot by downloading the PDF.This is the electronic version of the ballot.
It was produced by Jean Weber. You can vote using the form at the end of this page, or you can print a copy of the ballot by downloading the PDF.
Voting deadline is midnight May 17th, 2009.
Since 1972 the Down Under Fan Fund, a fan-supported fellowship, has encouraged closer ties between science-fiction fans in Australasia and North America through an alternating exchange of representatives. DUFF delegates attend the Worldcon or a national convention in the host country and visit fans they might otherwise never meet in person. Delegates are responsible for raising funds and administering DUFF until a new delegate from their continent is elected, and are expected to publish trip reports which can be sold to aid the fund.
VOTING: DUFF uses the preferential balloting system to guarantee an automatic runoff and a majority win. The voter ranks the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.). If there is no absolute majority for one candidate after the first count of votes, first-place votes for the lowest-ranking candidate are dropped, and the second-place votes on those ballots are assigned to the candidates named. This goes on until one candidate has a majority. So it’s important to vote for second, third, etc. places, especially if you choose to write in a candidate. (The voter is not required to fill in more than their name, address and first choice.)
Ballots must be signed and accompanied by a donation of at least US$5, AUS$8 or NZ$9. Anyone may contribute and donations in excess of the voting minimum are gratefully accepted. Checks should be made payable to Sue & Steve Francis (in North America) or Norman Cates (in New Zealand/ Australasia) in the administrator’s home currency.
Anyone may vote who has been active in fandom on or before January 1, 2008. “Active in fandom” means involved in fannish pursuits such as fanzine writing or reading, convention running or attending, amateur film/video production, or club participation. Only natural persons may vote. Each voter may vote only once.
CANDIDATES: Three Australasian fans and two North American fans nominate each candidate. Each candidate has written a platform and promised (barring Acts of God) to travel to the 2009 Worldcon, Anticipation in Montreal, Canada, 6th to 10th August, 2009.and to serve as administrator of the fund until the next Australasian delegate is elected.
Nominators: AUS (Justin Ackroyd Cathy Cupitt, Bill Wright), NA (Naomi Fisher and Patrick Molloy, Ivy Smith)
Concom for two WA cons. Reinvigorated the local art show. Co-edited the first feminist SF zine in Australia. Currently on Australian SF Foundation. National Australian Fan Fund delegate in 2002. Have continued NAFF fundraising. Fan guest at Swancon 2004.
Marg Hughes award for significant contribution to WA fandom in 2005.
Interests? Art, character-based SF&F, medieval history, slash fiction, social justice.
Previous US visits? 72 hours in Detroit in the 1990s (!)
Qualities as a delegate? Sociability, organisation and fundraising.
Anything else? I will bring, at my own expense, my fifteen-month-old girl. My sincere thanks to Anticipation for providing child-minding facilities.
Nominators: AUS (Robin Johnson, Grant Stone, Bruce Gillespie), NA (Robert Lichtman, Gay Haldeman)
Born in Chicago, a twister carried me to the magical land of Oz at the age of 10. Raised by quokkas, I discovered fandom at early SwanCons in Perth. Was a midwife at the birth of Susan Calvin (1982). Began Mumblings from Munchkinland – the only West Australian fanzine ever published in Pakistan, Tasmania, the South Pacific or (currently) Canberra – in 1989. Organised the first regional sf con held in Samoa (2002). I’m fascinated by fan and pro sf history and the father of three avid Dr Who fans. I’d love to compare Canadian, US and Australian fandoms firsthand and make many new friends. Previous North American con: OmniCon IV (Florida, 1983).
Nominators: AUS (Danny Oz, Sue Ann Barber, Damien Warman), NA (Randy Byers, Colin Hinz)
David Cake! Grant Watson! Only 100 words! Go!
David Cake! 39 years old! Fan since 1988! Knows weird things! Never been to Canada! Natcon Business Meeting addict! Online rights activist! Owns a theremin and too many books!
Grant Watson! 32 years old! Fan since 1990! Five Ditmar Awards! Edits fanzines! Makes own comics! Has never been to a convention outside Australia! Actor, writer, playwright!
Together! Run conventions! Operate fan clubs! Edit small press magazine! Many panels! Beer! Party! Love SF in all media!
We promise we make more sense than this in person, but we've only got 100 words to-
Nominators: AUS (Julian Warner, Murray McLachlan, Juliette Woods), NA (Joe Siclari, Lloyd and Yvonne Penney)
I've been in fandom more years than I care to recollect (but those born the year I started like to remind me they are old enough to vote now).
I've helped run conventions, clubs and fanzines too numerous to mention. I've attended many more.
You may remember me as the rum wielding Aussie at Interaction in 2005 (or if you had some of the rum, you may not.) You may have seen me in the pages of that steadfast Aussie fanzine, Ethel the Aardvark. (If not, subscribe now! http://msfc.sf.org.au/index.php ) I am currently helping to raise Fandom, the Next Generation. Oh, and helping with some little Natcon thingie.
I'm looking forward to brushing off my French and catching up with friends old and new, to share in some fun (and perhaps some of that rum). And I look forward to playing host again when people come down under for a visit in 2010.
DEADLINE: Ballots must be received by midnight May 17th, 2009! Send this entire ballot with US$5, AUS$8 or NZ$9 (or more) donation to an administrator. Results will be posted at http://sffanz.sf.org.nz/duff/.
VERIFICATION: The voters must be natural persons who have been active in fandom on or before January 1, 2008. If you think you may be unknown to the administrators, please give the name of a fan or fan group (other than a candidate or nominator) who can vouch that you meet these criteria.
You may vote in either of these ways:
OR
Votes are not valid unless accompanied by a contribution of at least US$5 or AUS$8 or NZS9 or the equivalent in other currencies. You may donate in either of these ways:
OR
Voting deadline is midnight May 17, 2009.
Note: This ballot is sent to an email address at one of Jean Weber's domains, from where it is automatically forwarded to the DUFF administrators, without Jean seeing it.