Washington Science Fiction Association

    wsfa.org

June 12th, 2013 at 1:59 am

Synthetic Voices: May Episode and *Podcast Discussion Info*

SynthVoicesBigSwirl_200Hey Folks, the new podcast is up for May’s stories.  You can find it here:
http://scienceismagic.com/?p=1456

Also, check out the awesome podcast discussion we have scheduled (the last two have been awesome, so expect this one will be too)!

Come spend an evening discussing science fiction, fantasy, and horror!
June 24th, 7:30pm-10:00pm at Jason’s Deli, 7356 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD

We’ll be discussing the 6 “Top Picks” from the Synthetic Voices podcast, plus anything else that comes up in the mix (other podcasts, favorite/recent audiobooks). Also, learn about other activities of the Washington Science Fiction Association (with which we are affiliated).

If you’re new, we recommend listening to at least 3 or 4 stories from the list, just so you’ll be able to contribute something. 🙂

Meet us in the back room of Jason’s Deli in College Park (look for the Terp’s Lounge). And as Jason’s is our host, they’d love it if you grabbed your dinner there while we talk.

NOTE: PARKING is generally easy to find in the lot out front, but is METERED so bring cash or a credit card!

If you’re interested, you can just show up, but might I suggest RSVPing on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/events/202226826596412

May 13th, 2013 at 12:54 pm

2013 WSFA Election Results

As reported by Brian Lewis:

Since it hasn’t been elsewhere yet, below are the people who will be holding elective office in WSFA, as of the First Friday in June and when their term of office expires.

CapClave Chairs’ terms expire when the books of their con are closed (usually, but not always, before the calendar year of their con does.

Small Press Awards Committee Members are elected for two years, and select a chairman from among themselves. Membership in this committee, though done by clubwide election, does not convey Club Officership.

Club Officers
President Barry Newton – 06/06/2014
Vice President Steve Smith – 06/06/2014
Secretary Cathy Green – 06/06/2014
Treasurer Sam Scheiner – 06/06/2014
Trustee Charity Helton – 06/06/2014
Trustee Brian Lewis – 06/06/2014
Trustee Bob Macintosh – 06/06/2014
CapClave Chair 2013 Michael Walsh – ±12/31/2013
CapClave Chair 2014 Bill Lawhorn – ±12/31/2014
CapClave Chair 2015 Sam Lubell – ±12/31/2015

Small Press Awards Committee
Member Charity Helton – 06/05/2015
Member Gayle Surrette – 06/05/2015
Member Paul Haggerty – 06/05/2015
Member Jimmy Rogers – 06/03/2014
Member Sarah Mitchell – 06/03/2014

NOTE: Date following the name is when the term of office expires.

May 8th, 2013 at 12:36 am

Join the Synthetic Voices Podcast Discussion – April Top Picks

SynthVoicesBigSwirl_200The April Synthetic Voices podcast is up, ready for your listening ears!

http://scienceismagic.com/?p=1436

If you’d like to join in our discussion on May 20th at 7:30, click on the link below for details!

https://www.facebook.com/events/150023161846435

We’ll be at the Jason’s Deli in College Park again, where the soft-serve ice cream flows freely!

May 3rd, 2013 at 4:56 pm

WSFA Journal May-June 2013

David Brin Visits WSFA

There are no minutes for the 4/5/13 April First Friday meeting since it was short to allow time for David Brin’s talk.

The April 19, 2013 opened without a president. Instead Steve Smith presided. “Yo, let’s have a meeting!” said the President Pro Temp. Someone yelled, “Why?” Madeleine moved to adjourn the meeting which at first was ruled as failed due to lack of a second. Motion failed 2 to everyone else. What time? A waste of time. Sam L. asked who took minutes at the last meeting. Bryan said it was Paul. Sam said it was never sent to him. Candy said that we had an abbreviated meeting because David Brin was coming. It was mainly the reading of the slate. Brian said that was as long as slated to be. Candy said President Barry is on his way. Treasurer’s report was emailed. There was a call for a party. The secretary said there was a transfer of bank accounts from Citi to M&T. He cleared out a few issues. He filed forms with the Feds so we are legal. He has not yet filed the Maryland personal property tax because his computer died and he is waiting for lightning to revive it. We may have to pay an extra 3% of 0. Virginia taxes are not due until September. Cathy asked about the transfer of WSFA to being a C3; Being a C3 will lead to some savings on our hotel bill. The Secretary admitted he did not do the Journal because he spent the whole weekend reading Girl Genius instead. The club understood about priorities.

Click the link for the full text of the May/June WSFA Journal, including the Minutes of the April 19 2013/ May 3, 17 2013 meetings (There were no minutes taken for the April 5th meeting).

WSFA Journal May-June 2013

Note: Publication date is set to the date of the Journal, rather than the date posted, for indexing purposes

March 1st, 2013 at 4:41 pm

WSFA Journal March-April 2013

The First Friday meeting of February, 2-1-13 was called to order 21:18 by Prez Barry. John brought out the Diet Crystal Pepsi. Sam L read the minutes. The BSFS contest is for writers 18 and older, live in MD or go to school in MD. Steve sent in about money. Last remaining CD coming due, will drop money into checking account until I can find a place to put it that pays more than the 0.X% that we’re getting now. New person said does financials so can help. Cathy said as a 501c3 there may be limits in what we can invest. Trustee Bob said elections are in May. Let a trustee know if you want to run. There are three slots for award committee. The club discussed the trustees’ role. And that they approve the hotel contract.

Click the link for the full text of the March/April WSFA Journal, including the Minutes of the February 1, 15 2013/ March 15 2013 meetings (There were no minutes taken for the March 1st meeting).

WSFA Journal March-April 2013

Note: Publication date is set to the date of the Journal, rather than the date posted, for indexing purposes

February 28th, 2013 at 5:50 pm

Committee to Actually Discuss Science Fiction

Due to the meeting swap in March, we will be discussing the Jan/Feb issue of F&SF in MD. The Pod Cast discussion will be third Friday in NOVA.

February 25th, 2013 at 12:30 pm

March 2013 Meetings have been swapped

In March, we’ve swapped the meetings. The first friday meeting will be in Maryland at the Madigan’s on March 1st. The third friday meeting will be in Virginia at the Scheiner’s.

See the WSFA Calendar for details on time and how to get there.

January 4th, 2013 at 4:28 pm

WSFA Journal January-February 2013

In the absence of the secretary, notes were taken by Sam Scheiner. Meeting called to order at 9:16 PM by Barry Newton.

Reports:
Secretary: MIA, no reading of the minutes. Treasurer: Our account has >$$. Trustees: Does anyone want to run for (or from) office? WSFA Press: Borderlands Bookstore in San Francisco has ordered several sets of books; overall the books are still selling. Web & Social Media: Stuff is happening. Steve sent via email, “Remember that all WSFA memberships have to be renewed at the beginning of the year. As an experiment, I’m going to take memberships in December. This year, we can accept memberships with credit cards and through PayPal, as well as the old familiar cash, checks, and gold coins.

Click the link for the full text of the January/February WSFA Journal, including the Minutes of the December 7, 21 2013/ January 4, 18 2013 meetings.

WSFA Journal January-February 2013

Note: Publication date is set to the date of the Journal, rather than the date posted, for indexing purposes

November 2nd, 2012 at 7:34 am

November Meetings

First, Third, and Fifth Friday meetings in November are all at our Maryland location, the home of John & Candy Madigan – Thanks John & Candy! See Calendar for directions.

November 1st, 2012 at 11:08 pm

WSFA Journal November-December 2012

The 10/5/12 October 2012 First Friday opened with an “Okay troops let’s have a meeting,” said Prez Barry. “We have a quorum,” said the VP. The meeting was called to order at 21:08. “It’s early,” said Bob. “Some of us have been here 2 hours already,” said Barry, referring to an earlier Capclave meeting.

Minutes were waived. There was no treasurer, but assume we still have some amount. “Let’s have a Capclave,” said Brian. Current small press award people retiring after Capclave, but successors are already determined. First Friday in November will not be at the Scheiners. We can’t do a swap. We need an alternative site. Candy checked her schedule. “I’m free, not vending,” she said. “If people want to do first and third at our house, it’s okay. But I’m doing Sugarloaf third weekend so John will need do it alone or with Shirl.” Motion made and seconded. Passed. Thank you. The webmasters were asked to update website. Paul said, “I believe you forgot the magic word.” “Now!” said Bill.

Click the link for the full text of the November/December WSFA Journal, including the Minutes of the October 5,19 /November 2,16 2012 meetings.

WSFA Journal November/December 2012

Note: Publication date is set to the date of the Journal, rather than the date posted, for indexing purposes