What’s New: WCPC Board Nominations
By Byron Wilkins on December 2nd, 2009Posted In: Blog
Hi There! Thought I’d pop in and give you all an update of what’s been going on…
First, with Phil’s help, he and I have transferred hosting for Webcomic Planet and all it’s associated blogs/sites. This was a tad time consuming, as is to be expected and Phil was patient with me the whole time. As an official old fart, I’m not completely hip to all the techo-babble required to do things on the Internet. Now, if you need to know how to roll a joint… okay, that’s another topic… 
With the hosting settled, now we can begin to work on things around here. First, I would like you all to nominate four members of the collective to become our first Board. This board will work to oversee the events of this site. I will work very closely with these four people and will act as a tie breaker in that event. What the board will do is represent all of you. These positions will require a small amount of time every month to chat with me about the ongoing/upcoming events of the WCP and the WCPC. I run very efficient meetings and keep things on topic, so this board will eat up about 2 hours of a person’s time every month. That’s it. We all have other things to do. Oh, it’s okay to nominate yourself in this case, that’s cool.
Here’s some things I’m suggesting for upcoming additions to the site. I am going to start up a twice monthly video segment that will cover the “latest” news in Webcomics and upcoming events. This short video (about 10 minutes) will be visually entertaining and informative. As a former News Director and video editor, I will be doing the production work with suggestions and news from all of you. Any event… new book, anniversary of your comic, conventions… whatever… will be in this segment. I will be using a “rotating host” for this segment with voice over work from myself and one other person (who will be named shortly).
Next… I want to redo the Webcomic Reader’s Choice Awards. This will be the first task of our new board to undertake. It is a great idea and needs to be done again in a group environment. The stats of the people coming by the site during the last event was very impressive and we need to follow up on this. In addition, I want to add an “Oscar” type event; like the Oscars, it will be voted on by our peers (us). We will put together a nominating committee (from your suggestions again) and get that started. The movie versions of these two awards are very popular and why not do them for Webcomics.
That is just the beginning. Lots more to come! So, send me your nominations, one each for President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These are common titles and just help in the pecking order… not that being “President” of Webcomic Planet isn’t going to be cool at some point…
As always, you may contact me at byron@1977thecomic.com or support@webcomicplanet.com More to come folks!
Nice to know things are happening. I think the monthly video segment is way cool.
Now to scratch my head about that those nominations…
Yeah, I’m diggin’ the idea of that segment as well. I don’t want it to come off as a “podcast” so making it an entertainment/news segment will be cool. Now all eyes will be on me to see if I’m the kick-ass video editor I say I am… After 30 years of doing it, I should be…
Personally I’d be more than happy to help out in this new world order, but alas I feel like much the newbie and haven’t had the chance to get fully integrated into the comings and goings of the collective before now. Hopefully this new begining will get me do so!
Yes, must also ponder the possiblities of nom-nom-nominations…
Eh, you’re not a newbie… I know you! Everyone has ideas and I want EVERYONE to feel welcome to voice those ideas. If you don’t want to do it here on the comments, then simply send me an email. The worst that will happen is I’ll laugh heartily and spill my Mountain Dew, but it will be in the privacy of my office. So, you’re safe.
Seriously, it’s the “newbies” that have the best ideas sometimes as you’re not stuck in some sort of mindset about things. Feel free to suggest anything.
Glad that the hosting and everything like that went smoothly… Transitions and communication are key. That being said, segway’s into what i have to say about the WCRCA’s.
I think the amount of categories that are there are solid, they are fairly unique and the overall description works out well. Could you add in best male / female lead character, sure that would break up the Protagonist / Antagonist sections a little easier? Sure. But, if it is made too large then it may just lose meaning for the readers.
As for 4 others on a rotating basis, I think that’s a solid idea I have no problems with that and everyone gets a fair turn at it. If we have guidelines in place charter, etc then it will make things alot easier to follow.
I shall be communicating to you about the WCRCA’s as I know you’re the “committee” for that at the moment. Everyone’s voice in this collective is important and we’ll take constructive suggestions to heart. I think the WCRCAs will be the BIG event here on a yearly basis and I want to kick the New Year off with that event. Rock on, man…
Hmmm. I’ll work on getting my Avatar changed…You should see my pic now in the Avatar… if not let me know…You know you have my full support and will gladly lend a hand where needed. I don’t know which position I would nominate them for but I would suggest Antoine, Dawn, Kurt and Pam for the board…:)
Hey Karl! Glad to hear about the support. Everyone’s been very helpful and supportive… we’re a great bunch of artists, so I knew this would be the case.
I’ll add your nominations to my list! Thanks again!
I second Karl’s suggestion that in some way, shape or form, Kurt should be on the initial board, Byron.
In fact, you know what? I’ll just say “ditto” to everything Karl said too in terms of the first initial board since Antoine is in there and he’s done quite a bit to keep us all informed about everything that’s going on.
And, as Karl said also, I too will gladly lend a hand if I can. Usually the winter months are the best time to tap me on the shoulder as I tend to get extremely busy with coaching and playing baseball in the Spring & Summer months. Take advantage of my down time, if you can – not that I’m nominating myself for anything – I’m not. But I’m more than willing to volunteer to be the Samwise the Brave to your Frodo.
-Chris
I shall be tapping you shoulder soon enough. Thank you for your support. This is going to be fun!
I second Antoine, as for the others I’ll need to give that some thought.
I can certainly lend a hand if needed.
@Kurt by guidelines do mean by-laws? (Those are SOOOOOO much fun to right by the way) If that is what you meant then I assume Byron would draft up a set and then the council/board would vote on them and either ratify them or amend them. Depending on how the board is set up then either the by-laws would take effect or they would then be voted on by the collective as a whole. Obviously Byron may have different ideas on how this would work, but I think that covers the basics.
As for the WCRCA’s, doesn’t it seem like if we do them over again we are sort of calling a do-over? I’m not entirely sure that is a good idea just yet, I would suggest waiting a bit before jumping into that. Give people time to forget that it was so recently and then redo it.
I felt the WCRCAs came to an unsatisfying end… for Phil and for the voters. Consider this a “recount” or so… I hear your point. By bringing it back so soon may bring some negative publicity, but I think we’d all gain more positive feedback by just saying “Hey, sometimes things go icky and we’re doing it over…” Now, I’ll only do them over once we have clear guidelines… guidelines that will not be changed mid-stream. We can’t please everyone, but I’ll please most.
I will also take what the new Board and WCRCA committee has to say too. If they say wait, then that’s what we shall do. I’m easy…
woooot, I feel the loooove! Thanks guys!
I am so glad to see things happen and we are definitively going into the right direction.
And the ideas mentioned above (videos, bringing back WCRA’s, etc.._ these are only the tip of the iceberg. We can achieve so much as a collective!
Having a board will be a key to success BUT, this key has to be paired with another key (you now, like 2 keys to unlock a huge bomb). This key is the entire Collective. Participation will be essential and crucial to it!
Can’t to see the upcoming development!
Hurray for our Grand Poobah! (ok Keith, I had to steal that one from you
)
Hey Antoine! Yes, participation is important… but I also want folks to know that it’s not require. Now, with that said, you get out of an organization like this what you put in. Sit on the sidelines, and the prime players get the attention. Spend a little time in the huddle, and you’ll get more rewards. Wow, a sports analogy from a guy who can’t stand major sports (outside NASCAR…). Dawn will be please…
Rock on, folks…
Byron, that sounds great! I love the video idea. By the way, I also recommend Antoine and Dawn.
Yes, the names being entered are all solid members. But, I know Dawn is getting married next year and just releasing some children’s books, so I’m not sure of her availability… but certainly we’ll give her the chance to accept is she’s nominated.
I’m thrilled with the feedback and suggestions I’m getting! Keep them coming!
This nomination thing requires some hardcore rumination! Actually, not really. Antoine, Dawn, and Kurt should definitely be doing things. And Arne for forum things. And me for web design. Maybe. Or Dawn.
I love the idea of regular video segments. That’s great.
I’m going to tap everyone who has the time to participate in some shape or form. But I also understand having to feed the family and draw the comic.
Yeah, the video stuff should be cool. Been a while since I’ve done any serious video, so I’m gonna enjoy that too.
Wow, sounds very cool and organized. Or, at least, on it’s way to organized.
I don’t have anything to add, regarding nominations. But I’m happy to help out where needed. Web design & dev.
LOL! Yep, it’ll never be completely organized… kinda human nature.
I’ll be glad to tap on your shoulder when that day comes! As always, your input is vital. Thanks for the comment, man!
Hello from Germany!
My nominations are short and simple: Antoine, Kurt, OnyxSparrow, TIII and Sen.
I know, I know: these are five persons and only four are needed… – But every good committee needs a Second Treasurer to control the results of the First Treasurer…
I don’t know if beeing one of the first Board myself would really be a good thing – because of the big time difference it would allways be quite difficult for me to take part in the monthly meetings (and beeing a young father is quite time consuming, too). Of course I am happy to help out wherever I can and as soon as someone gives me moderator rights for the forum I will start creating subforums again.
But because Sen kind of nominated me for these “forum things”, I really have to ask this: Are the old forum entries all dead and gone? Or are they saved somewhere and could be transfered to the new forum? (Please tell me they are save… it was a time consuming work to create all these “rate/subscribe/befriend”-entries…) Another thing I miss (apart form the old forum entries) is a link from the webcomic planet site to the webcomic planet collective (and vice versa). I think there should be one, shouldn’t it?
The WCRCA’s… I would not restart the nomination phase before May 2010. Why not earlier? Simple reason: The winners of the webcomic list awards 2009 (TWLA’s) will be announced on Sunday 24th January in the form of an illustrated ceremony. By my point of view it would be better to have a little time span between these two events. (And it would give us some more time to realy think about and discuss those guidelines, too.)
The video-news: Great! Really looking forward to it!
That’s all from me for today. Heroic regards to all of you! Arne / ancire / thirtyseven
Arne, Thank you for the recommendations!
Second, I am getting with Phil about the old forums here today or Monday. Been kinda tied up myself with all this stuff. But, if I know Phil, the content is backed up.
Third, I would like your help on running the forums. As an official old fart, I need someone a bit more hip on the subject. You seem to be that person..
Contact me at my email byron@1977thecomic.com and we can discuss that way. Oh, and how’s the baby? Pictures?
I agree with most of what was said here- terrific idea about the video updates, how neat (and unique!). The Awards unfortunately fell apart at the end, so we need to develop rules that work and stick to them. I’m sure it can be done, however, I am doubtful we’ll ever be able to remove the “popularity contest” element.. as essentially, that is what the reader’s choice awards IS. The big guns will get nominated, and have more fans who will vote for them. Unless we start controlling the nominations, not allowing the more popular comics in (which IMO isn’t right), it’ll be a popularity contest no matter what you do. Still, a ton of fun and quite an honor to be nominated!
I appreciate the nominations I already received, wow. Thanks, friends. But like Byron said- I am quite busy and not 100% sure I can devote the necessary time to helping out with this collective. I’m not the type to accept something unless I am SURE I can handle it, and accomplish what is asked of me. I may be more paranoid than I need to be about taking this on, but I sure don’t want to be the slacker of the crew. We’ll have to see how things go, I guess.
Glad you are taking this on Byron…you are already offering great ideas and showing you can lead a group. I tip my (non-existent) hat to you.
Well, as Byron said, the Board Members would only make “Board Duties” only a couple of hours per month. These guys wouldn’t do all the work in the Collective. Basically they would be here to ensure all proper decision and direction would be taken in order to make the Collective a benefit to all members.
That why people are nominating you, you have great idea and the mindset for it.
That doesn’t stop the Collective members to be active and create events, joint activities, help, participate, etc..(example: Planet Jam, Web design etc..)
Well, that’s how I see it at least
You are right sir! She’s got a good head on her shoulders and we all appreciate her input and talent. Yours too, my boy!
My hat is tipped back at you!
I am kinda aware of you schedule, but it seems you’re a popular person here, so I’ll chat with you privately on that subject.
Yeah, lots to do around here and we’re slowly making headway… rock on, man…
Hmm. and oh yeah, my nominations would be Antoine, TIII, Kurt, Pam and Arne. That’s 5. I just couldn’t narrow it down.
Five seems to be a popular number today…
I thought Pam dropped out of the collective due to busy-ness. It’d be great if that was just my faulty memory, though.
No one has informed ME of dropping out. People do get quiet due to being busy as you said. With the transistion I would think it wise to wait it out and SEE what’s coming in the next few weeks before making any decisions. One has to have all the data before a decision can be made.
To me, we’re headed in a good direction. Will that direciton please everyone? Hard to say. But, once the facts are out there, then I expect people to make up their minds.
I’ve made my nominations. Have YOU?!
I did! I voted:
Johnny Walker
Captain Morgan
Jack Daniels
and Dr. Mcgullicuddy!