GWSIG Monthly Meeting Minutes/Meeting23

International Game Developers Association

Chris Bateman: Hmmm... I hope Steve can make it to the meeting, because we really need this chat window to be the big part of the screen. :)
Chris Bateman: Hi J. - nice to virtually meet you, by the way!
J.: Hello.
J.: Sorry, just stepped out of the shower.
Chris Bateman: No worries. We're a little early any how.
J.: And likewise. :)
J.: Coffee refill time.
J.: plot plot plot plot
J.: yo Coray
Coray Seifert: hola
Chris Bateman: Hi Coray! I'm afraid the meeting has been accidentally placed inside a postage stamp, but with luck Steve will ride in on a white stallion to rescue us...
J.: Does the big window open up to text when it starts officially, or ...
Coray Seifert: ahh okay
Chris Bateman: Ah, talk of the devil! >:)
Coray Seifert: collectors edition i see
J.: Much better.
Beth A. Dillon: Good morning!
Chris Bateman: Awesome - thanks Steve. It was feeling terrible cramped!
Coray Seifert: salvation
Steve Jacobs: y'all are just early, that's all :-)
J.: Hey Beth.
Chris Bateman: Morning Beth!
J.: Little bit of window overlap on my screen there.
Coray Seifert: doh, spontaneous meeting at my desk...brb
Beth A. Dillon: Ha ha
Chris Bateman: I guess we'll give it a few more minutes for everyone to get here before kicking off...
Rhianna Pratchett: Hi guys
Rhianna Pratchett: I think Andy is on his way
Chris Bateman: Hi Rhianna! What's the weather like in London?
Beth A. Dillon: I have to switch computers in 20 minutes or so
J.: Andy just posted to the list.
Rhianna Pratchett: Mixed between sun, rain and snow!
Beth A. Dillon: I am in a coffee shop right now and may switch locations, not sure
J.: I am at home, and strangely enough, mostly clothed.
Chris Bateman: I'll wait for one more person and then we can get underway...
Beth A. Dillon: Remember our meeting minutes are very google-happy
thelateenglishma: hi all
Chris Bateman: Ah, that'll be the venerable Andy Walsh, I suppose, never signing himself in by any sensible names. :)
thelateenglishma: that's me :)
Chris Bateman: Excellent. Let's get underway, shall we! Thanks for coming everyone!
Chris Bateman: First up, the Agenda.
Chris Bateman: 1. GDC Group Gathering Round Up.
Chris Bateman: We had 34 attendees this year, not our best turn out but not bad for a 9 am slot.
Chris Bateman: Here are the main points:
Chris Bateman: Firstly, it is suggested to include the details of the SIG webpage and mailing list somewhere prominent in every issue of the quarterly, so that when people ask for this information, we can hand them a copy of the quarterly.
Steve Jacobs: Miraculous for 9:00 am :-)
Chris Bateman: A few other points raised:
Chris Bateman: - Best practices in Narrative white paper was suggested
Chris Bateman: - FAQ on getting credits listed on MobyGames, IMDB etc was suggested
Chris Bateman: - Game Writers Press Releases service was also mentioned
Chris Bateman: - Legal Advice for Game Writers was another suggestion, and Tom Buscaglia was mentioned as a possible contact. I don't know if he'd be interested, but I can happily contact him if this is something we want to take forward.
thelateenglishma: legal advice would have to be clearlt marked as to the region it related to, US, UK, european law all conflict
thelateenglishma: as does any other legal system, hurrah for law
Chris Bateman: - Lastly, there was the idea of a Game Writers portfolio template suggestion - something to advise people as to what it is worth showing to potential employers - I guess this synchs up with the hiring hall initiative to some extent, but alas Sande had to give her apologies.
Beth A. Dillon: Oooo.
Chris Bateman: (Oh, Ben, Kim and Sande sent their apologies - just for the record)
Chris Bateman: That's about all I have to say on the Group Gathering - does anyone have anything to add?
WendyDespain: i think it should be a separate initiative. i think it's better not to overload any one person
WendyDespain: I have pictures from the event and intend to do a writeup for the website
Chris Bateman: That'd be great. Thanks to Corvus for the pictures (assuming its his you're using!) I'm trying to persuade him to get involved with the committee, as I think he could be an asset.
WendyDespain: i missed the very beginning of the meeting, so if someone else wants to do the writeup, please do. I'll just add pictures.
WendyDespain: he's joined the general mailing list
WendyDespain: that bodes well
Chris Bateman: I'll try and persuade him to join the committee list....
J.: Uh, I think he just posted to it.
Chris Bateman: Oh, there's an email from him right now on the list - he's already on the list. :)
Chris Bateman: Also a good sign. :)
Chris Bateman: Let's move on with the agenda, as these individual initiatives can be discussed at another time, or later in the meeting if (ha!) we have any left over time.
Dansky: Next year, we bring a microphone. Shouting over foot traffic is one thing. Shouting over trucks is another.
Chris Bateman: Hi Rich - didn't see you slip in. Yes, I tried to sort out a Microphone on Tuesday, but I didn't have much luck. It'd be easier if we brought our own.
Chris Bateman: 2. Ratify Proposed Constitutional Ammendment (Chris Bateman)
Chris Bateman: Yes, it's another tedious rules change, I'm afraid.
Chris Bateman: Let me see if I can find it...
Steve Jacobs: whooppeee!!
thelateenglishma: Oh good...I live for those
Chris Bateman: 1. # Nominations for Executive Elections shall be conducted by voluntary proxy: </b>any committee member may nominate any other committee member, who must then decide whether to accept the nomination. Those who accept the nomination will be eligible candidates for election.
Chris Bateman: 2. The three members of the Executive shall agree amongst themselves as to their role, which shall be either Chair (de factor chair of the online meetings, and keeper of the agenda), Communications Officer (maintain mailing lists et al), or Membership Officer (recruitment, and maintainance of the committee lists).
Chris Bateman: Any thoughts, objections, or grumblings about this?
Steve Jacobs: nope
J.: Are those the only roles yet defined?
WendyDespain: I'm not sure about #2 really
J.: Is there anything that needs be done that isn't covered by those three?
Dansky: "Cruise Director"
J.: "Quartermaster"
Chris Bateman: We haven't defined roles for the exec before, but I thought with the coming "Coronation" it might be a good time...
WendyDespain: those are duties that need to be done, but I'm not sure we want to set them in stone
thelateenglishma: Uhura?
thelateenglishma: Or is that too nerdy?
WendyDespain: there are other things that need to be done too
J.: I mean, not so much as roles, as sets of tasks that are hopefully related.
Chris Bateman: Sure, we don't need to set everything down in stone - but what we could use to do is to have the people who serve on the Exec record the roles they've fulfilled so that newcomers can benefit from that knowledge in some way.
Chris Bateman: In particular, I'm concerned about the maintainance of the agenda et al which I have been doing, which is going to fall to someone else either to do, or to replace with a different approach - either way!
WendyDespain: well, i won't stand in the way of it being ratified
Chris Bateman: But perhaps it would be sufficient to have a Wiki page with a record of the different tasks for the Exec, and let the Exec take ownership or otherwise shuffle the deck? Rather than defining specific roles.
Beth A. Dillon: brb to my Macbook
WendyDespain: I'd prefer that, yes
Chris Bateman: Any other thoughts? And are there no objections to (1)?
WendyDespain: setting it in the constitution just seems a little extreme
Chris Bateman: (Which admitedly, we already did...)
J.: I'd say that whatever roles are ratified, their tasks need to be defined somehow. Wiki is fine.
Chris Bateman: Wendy - I'd tend to agree.
thelateenglishma: That sounds like a better idea
Chris Bateman: Ok, so we'll ratify (1), scrub (2) and ask the new Exec to maintain a page of "Executive Committee Duties" on the Wiki?
Chris Bateman: Speak now or forever hold your pieces...
J.: So long as everyone knows what needs to be done for the SIG to function at all, people can make decisions about who's doing what, whether they think they could do it themselves, and share/delegate duties when/if necessary.
Steve Jacobs: done
J.: I think a lot of this is already on the wiki, but maybe it isn't read carefully enough. (guilty here)
thelateenglishma: Us being more of revolutionised proletariat than dictatorship
thelateenglishma: we have a wiki?
Chris Bateman: Are you not on the Wiki, Andy?
Beth A. Dillon: Ha
thelateenglishma: I've been in rehab, managed to kick it
WendyDespain: I'm going to pretend I didn't see that
Steve Jacobs: la la la
Chris Bateman: http://www.igda.org/wiki/index.php/Game_Writers_SIG
Chris Bateman: Alright, moving on to the Main Event:
Dansky: It's more of an anarcho-syndicist commune, Andy, with each member of the board taking terms to act as a sort of executive officer, with all of the decisions of the executive needing to be ratified by a simple majority in the case of purely internal decisions, or by a two-thirds majority in the case of...oh, never mind :-)
Steve Jacobs: nice
Chris Bateman: 3. Close Nominations/Executive Elections Start Now! (Chris Bateman) Current Nominations: </b>Steven Jacobs, Wendy Despain, Andy Walsh
Rhianna Pratchett: Go Andy! Go Andy!
thelateenglishma: blush
Chris Bateman: Now as it happens, we have only three nominations, so it gives me enormous pleasure to announce that Steve, Wendy and Andy are the new Exec! Round of applause please!
Beth A. Dillon: Yay!
Dansky: *applauds*
Steve Jacobs: (bows)
J.: Are they Borg?
Rhianna Pratchett: lol\o/
Dansky: Congratulations, folks.
WendyDespain: I promise to begin the reign of terror with such fortitude and.... oh nevermind
J.: Thou hast gained an eighth.
thelateenglishma: You said that backing away very quickly Mr Dansky
thelateenglishma: lol
Steve Jacobs: henry?
Beth A. Dillon: Oh jeez
Chris Bateman: Rich Dansky and I will be stepping down from the committee and taking our Associates positions, which means we'll still be involved, but we don't have to be. :) We'll be joining Rhianna, Ed and co. in Game Writers Retirement Village.
Chris Bateman: This leaves us running low on committee members, so we should think about some co-opting...
Rhianna Pratchett: Welcome to the Associates Chris
J.: You should practice yelling "git off mah lawn".
WendyDespain: As an official exec, I'd like to officially thank you guys for the time and effort you put into this SIG
Steve Jacobs: kim was mentioned
Steve Jacobs: ditto to wendy's thanks
thelateenglishma: I'd second that
WendyDespain: and yes, I'd like to co-opt Kim
thelateenglishma: or third it if I'm too slow typing
Beth A. Dillon: Most definitely co-opting Kim
WendyDespain: i think Kim has been officially co-opted
J.: No objection there.
WendyDespain: has J. already been officially co-opted?
Chris Bateman: No yet, I think.
Steve Jacobs: think so
WendyDespain: if he's going to continue doing the quarterly, I think he should be co-opted
Beth A. Dillon: Yeah
Chris Bateman: Is Kim still with Kastomp?
Chris Bateman: And yes, I feel J. should be co-opted too.
thelateenglishma: Rhianna, do you think it'd be worth trying to round up James L?
Chris Bateman: I could use more of a name to enter on the committee listings than just "J", though.... ;)
Rhianna Pratchett: Possibly, although he's not around much
J.: My name's on the quarterly masthead. ;)
Chris Bateman: *digs*
J.: It's John Henderson.
Chris Bateman: Just found it. :)
Dansky: Matt Schwartz and Ahmad Saad have both been very enthusiastic and very good to work with.
Chris Bateman: Do you have a company you work for or are you independent?
J.: Independent for the moment. I'm not very much of a games professional right now. :)
thelateenglishma: apparently he's back on the scene again now, I'll email him...where's my to do list
thelateenglishma: welcome J
thelateenglishma: and Mr Henderson 'professional-in-waiting', good luck to you sir :0)
WendyDespain: i still think people need to attend at least one committee meeting before we co-opt them
WendyDespain: our straights aren't that dire yet
Chris Bateman: Sure.
Chris Bateman: For reference, here is what we currently have as our committee roster:
Chris Bateman: Exec: Wendy Despain (Quantum Content), Stephen Jacobs (Rochester Institute of Technology), Andy Walsh (Independent Writer) Commitee: Sande Chen (Boonty | Free-lance game designer/writer), Beth A. Dillon (Independent Game Writer/Journalist/Academic), John Henderson (Independent), Coray Seifert (Kaos Studios | THQ Inc.), Ben Serviss (Saber Interactive), Kimberly Ann Sparks (Kastomp Game Studios)
Chris Bateman: Total: 9 fools... er... heroes. :)
Chris Bateman: Cap is 12, so there are three openings.
J.: Kastomp is an awesome name.
WendyDespain: i think Kim may be independent now, but we should check with her
J.: Yeah, I don't know if you need to pack your roster just to have that many. Unless there's a stated desire for more input or perspective, that is.
Dansky: 9 worked for Frodo.
Chris Bateman: I think we're okay for now - as Wendy says, we shouldn't co-opt anyone who hasn't at least attended a committee meeting.
J.: I mean, I don't have any particular problem with you co-opting *me*, especially considering I like you people and I like the quarterly. I'm definitely not doing this for ego.
Chris Bateman (privately): Sure - I'll sort it out.
Dansky: It may make sense to start specifically inviting folks whom people think will make good committee members down the road.
thelateenglishma: Is Mr Swallow not on the committee/lapsed?
thelateenglishma: did he just visit for the hell of it?
WendyDespain: Mr Swallow lapsed
Chris Bateman: I spoke to Jim - he said he would be happy to take an Associate position.
Chris Bateman: He wants to be involved, but he can't guarantee attendence at meetings etc. So we'll still see him about, but we shouldn't be counting him on the logistical team, so to speak.
Coray Seifert: back...sorry about that
Coray Seifert: catching up
Chris Bateman: Ok, well that concludes the main agenda. Let's slog through the ever-tedious Matters Arising....
Chris Bateman: A. Old Survey (Beth Dillon/Rich Dansky)
WendyDespain: I can tell you're going to miss this part of your job, mr. retired exec
thelateenglishma: which one of us is Boromir?
Chris Bateman: Oh I love it to bits... tiny little shattered broken bits. >:)
WendyDespain: I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm gandolf
Chris Bateman: Nothing on the old survey...?
WendyDespain: do I remember right that Sande decided the employer survey didn't fit with the hiring hall?
Chris Bateman: Hmmm... well, if anyone has anything to add on this let us know.
thelateenglishma: Yes, I remember that being said
Chris Bateman: Wendy - there was some issue to discuss there, but it wasn't a definite split, I think. We might want to take this up with Sande at a future meeting.
thelateenglishma: shame, we got useful info in the uk from it and raised awareness of the WGGB
Dansky: Old survey - the data is currently being extracted from its current mangled form into something that is hopefully usable.
Chris Bateman: Cool. ETA?
Dansky: I could tell you one, but I'd be lying.
Chris Bateman: :)
thelateenglishma: wow statistical jaws of life in action
Chris Bateman: Okay.
Chris Bateman: B. White Paper Revision (Rich Dansky)
Dansky: "Post-midterms" is a good bet.
Chris Bateman: And for that matter:
Chris Bateman: C. Call for Volunteers (Rich Dansky) including (1) education outreach (with Education SIG) (5) book promotion (6) game writing reviews
Chris Bateman: (There's a whole lot of Dansky in the Matters Arising)
Dansky: And you want to know why I need a break :-)
Chris Bateman: I suggest that someone needs to take over the call for volunteers from Rich, and also update it with any new initiatives we're going to take on from this year's Group Gathering.
Dansky: White Paper revision is coming along nicely - Ahmad Saad has joined the team and is compiling his notes. Re-composition starts at the end of the month.
Chris Bateman: Any volunteers?
Chris Bateman: *sound of people running for the doors* No! Wait! Come back! :)
WendyDespain: I'll take on all the book stuff
Dansky: Volunteer stuff has been handled unofficially, with people being pointed at particular initiatives in private discussion.
Chris Bateman: Is this something that is just lurking on the MA as a legacy, and doesn't need to be here anymore?
thelateenglishma: I think the new exec could do with a briefing on how these things were handled perviously then we can form a huddle, cry together and sort out who's doing what...
Chris Bateman: You guys will definitely need to get together and attempt to unravel the gordian knot at some point soon...
thelateenglishma: knot, ha! No problem *sharpens his knife*
Dansky: I'll be happy to provide a debrief of any and everything I've been working on.
WendyDespain: Dansky, I assume you'll continue with the whitepaper while you're in retirement?
thelateenglishma: What do you mean that's cheating?
thelateenglishma: Thanks
Dansky: I will continue with the White Paper, if folks want me to.
WendyDespain: folks want you to
thelateenglishma: votes for dansky
Steve Jacobs: second
J.: Yes.
thelateenglishma: thanks for offering to finish that off
Steve Jacobs: he's got the statistician wife :-)
J.: If you know how, and you do it well enough, and you want to, no reason to find another.
WendyDespain: yes, also the writers survey stuff
WendyDespain: we'll try to leave you alone other than that
Chris Bateman: Let's throw in the next point:
WendyDespain: and when we get the results in from the employers survey
Chris Bateman: D. Issues relating to book sequel (Rich Dansky)
Chris Bateman: Wendy - I believe you want to take over this?
WendyDespain: Yes
Chris Bateman: Is that okay with you Rich? One less thing to worry about? :)
thelateenglishma: hadn't we bette wait for the rest of the chapters to be critically analysed before we write another one?
Rhianna Pratchett: Ah ha I wondered what had happened about that
thelateenglishma: hiya Jmister
thelateenglishma: Jimster
Rhianna Pratchett: lol... who *is* that guy
James Swallow: duh! Finally made it! Sorry I'm so late, chaps
Steve Jacobs: :-)
Rhianna Pratchett: Hey Jim
Chris Bateman: Rhianna - I believe the plan is to put forward a genre-focussed game writing book.
James Swallow: dsl problems, sorry.
Steve Jacobs: SOme one send me the url again, he's probably roasted me by now
Chris Bateman: Jim! Hiya!
WendyDespain: we de-opted you off the committee, Jim. We heard you'd like that.
thelateenglishma: I'd be willing to put my head on the block and do something for another book
Rhianna Pratchett: Yes, that's what i thought... and was interested in, but I hadn't heard anything for a while which is why I pottered along today
thelateenglishma: after this many months I've forgotten the pain, mostly
Chris Bateman: I've moved you into the Associates - but if you do want to stay on the formal committee it's a simple cut and paste to reverse. :) Either way, we're happy to have you involved!
WendyDespain: I'd like to start the geers turning on the next book, but I'll do most of that via mailing list
James Swallow: I'm just reading back to catch up...
Rhianna Pratchett: Stay in the Associates Jim, it's where the cool kids are ;)
WendyDespain: we'll begin with hashing out what should be in it, then find volunteers to write each chapter, then editors to edit, and so on
Steve Jacobs: agreed
Chris Bateman: Well just to push to the end of the MA...
Chris Bateman: E. Collection of sample scripts (Wendy Despain)
WendyDespain: why does that keep getting my name attached to it?
WendyDespain: I thought it was Steve's
thelateenglishma: It had an evil ring to it
Steve Jacobs: I've talked to ed sig about pooling efforts there
Chris Bateman: Steve: </b>is this true?
Steve Jacobs: I can own that
Rhianna Pratchett: Er did we finish talking about D?
Chris Bateman: OK. I'll update.
Chris Bateman: Rhianna - we're multi-tasking!
Chris Bateman: Feel free to continue to chip in on earlier stuff - I just throw in new points every few minutes to ensure we finish before the hour runs out. :D
WendyDespain: Do you have more questions about D? I was going to kick off discussion about the book on the mailing list
thelateenglishma: I feel I need to get up to speed on all these
Rhianna Pratchett: Ah ok, as long as I haven't missed anything
Chris Bateman: (It's not the best way, I'm sure, but...)
WendyDespain: nope, you haven't missed anything. And now I know you're interested in helping out, I'll definitely be tapping you soon. :-)
Chris Bateman: And in the spirit of maybe for once having a whole 5 minutes of AOB to enjoy, we might as well start the discussion of the next committee meeting date.
Chris Bateman: Wednesday April 25th?
Rhianna Pratchett: Yeah I've probably got enough experience for something...I'm not sure what Heaven;y Sword and Overlord fall into, fantasy maybe
Rhianna Pratchett: Heavenly
WendyDespain: I second April 25th
thelateenglishma: I might be away then, but will let you know
WendyDespain: also, happy equinox
James Swallow: huzzah
J.: I have to say this. I'd hoped there would be more discussion about the quarterly here, but that's OK. I will be bringing some issues to the list in the coming week, however. I will need some help and input for the coming few issues.
WendyDespain: since it wasn't on the official agenda, you can bring it up in matters arising
Chris Bateman: J. - once we agreed to the date of the next meeting, I can open the floor for Any Other Business - but as ever, we have scant minutes remaining...
thelateenglishma: On AOB, I'm starting the wheels rolling on events for The London Games Festival. We're looking at a Guild/BAFTA event as well as some others. I'm also proposing that we do a joint Guild/IGDA Writers SIG event at the Writers' Guild Centre, possibly something to do with games and films. Jim and Rhianna, okay if we talk about that ove a pint next Thursday?
thelateenglishma: Ooops, jumped the gun
James Swallow: ok
Steve Jacobs: other matter arising if I may
Chris Bateman: Well, I guess since we're away, people might as well wade in with AOB.
Dansky: Sounds suspiciously like we're getting close to resurrecting the events calendar.
WendyDespain: i see no objections to the date, Chris. Set it in stone.
Chris Bateman: *tears up agenda in mock dismay*
J.: April 25 is fine. And the list works fine for me. ;)
Rhianna Pratchett: yeah i think thwe IGDA would really go for that, atlhough the turnouts tend to be smaller than the Guild
Rhianna Pratchett: And thursday is fine, I should have shaken this cold by then.
Chris Bateman: Oh, on the subject of stuff in the UK, Jason Della Rocca informs me that Develop is very keen to do a writing event at their Brighton convention. Someone - Jim? Andy? Rhianna? - should get in touch to discuss.
thelateenglishma: hopefully by bringing the two together we can take over the world!!!
thelateenglishma: Or at least fill a few chairs
thelateenglishma: and recruit for two organisations at once! :0)
thelateenglishma: Yeah, I'd be happy to look into that
J.: I could use knowledge of Events, mainly because I don't know where everyone wants the Quarterly to be sent at any given time, besides GDC and AGC.
Rhianna Pratchett: Oh neat I can email Michael
thelateenglishma: what needs to happen?
Rhianna Pratchett: (French)
Rhianna Pratchett: Or Susan
Rhianna Pratchett: I'll speak to Suan, she's on my msn
Rhianna Pratchett: Susan
thelateenglishma: Rhi is that you talking about Brighton?
Rhianna Pratchett: It is yes
Chris Bateman: J. - the trouble with the committee meetings is they just fill up with the administrative stuff; the mailing list may be the best place to push for this. Or: </b>ask to add it to the agenda of the next committee meeting? That way it'll be up front and centre.
Rhianna Pratchett: Susan organised the last event
thelateenglishma: cool, are you going to get in touch? Count me in if you need another body :0)...oh, er, when is it?
J.: Chris: </b>No problem. I'll ask about the agenda, too. But I will need some WHOA
J.: what was that
Rhianna Pratchett: Why am I saying Susan O'Connor I mean Susan Marshall!
Rhianna Pratchett: <--- Flu head
J.: ... some input before the next meeting, just wanted to give a heads-up
WendyDespain: J. In theory there's a list of upcoming conferences on the wiki, but it hasn't been kept up to date very well
Dansky: I can help with AGC-related things, fwiw
Rhianna Pratchett: Was July last year
Chris Bateman: Yes, the Wiki suffers from only being used by me and Wendy, I think. :)
J.: Yeah, AGC is easier for me, considering I live an hour away.
J.: But I will be mailing the list with my items. I hope I get more than sporadic input this time around. :)
Chris Bateman: J - as I say, if you don't get everything you need, ask to have it put on the agenda for the next meeting (or edit the wiki to add an agenda point yourself). It's the easiest way to push for attention.
J.: Righto, as the English people might say.
Chris Bateman: Although the IGDA site seems to have packed up on me right now, which is annoying...
Beth A. Dillon: I can help by adding conference listings to the wiki
thelateenglishma: cor blimey guvnor h sounds just like us
thelateenglishma: ;0)
Chris Bateman: Anyway, the agenda is concluded, the torch has been passed, and the cliches have been oiled. Thank you all for coming, if you want to keep discussing things amongst yourselves, be my guest, but otherwise, this meeting is concluded, as is my tenancy on the Exec. It's been a great pleasure and an infinite pain, and I look forward to seeing you all around in the future! Best wishes to you all!
thelateenglishma: we have a wiki?
Beth A. Dillon: But it would include both industry and academic conferences en mass
WendyDespain: Beth, that would be very helpful
J.: Yes, Beth.
Beth A. Dillon: lol, Nice Andy
James Swallow: bravo chris
Dansky: What Chris said :-)
thelateenglishma: thanks for everything Chris!
J.: Thanks, Chris.
Beth A. Dillon: Awww
Rhianna Pratchett: Thanks Chris
WendyDespain: don't leave us here alone, Chris!!!!!!!
thelateenglishma: hurrah and three cheers for Chris
thelateenglishma: hurrah and three cheers for the Dansky
Chris Bateman: Oh please no!
Coray Seifert: *tips hat to Chris*
Steve Jacobs: hip hip hooray
Coray Seifert: *raucous applause*
thelateenglishma: now walk the plank both of ya ;0)
Coray Seifert: avast!
J.: Arr, show us yer booty.
Dansky: Actually, I think we're going to take our spots in Waldorf & Statler's booth overlooking the stage, and heckle.
Steve Jacobs: I'll send out the url presently for 4/25
Dansky: Andy, you're our new Fozzie Bear :-)
WendyDespain: hey Steve
WendyDespain: could we add the url to the wiki?
thelateenglishma: Steve/Wendy when shall we three meet again to plot our plottings?
WendyDespain: or is that too public?
Steve Jacobs: sure
WendyDespain: ok, let me rephrase
Rhianna Pratchett: Am currently chattiing to Susan on msn.... the *power* of technology!
WendyDespain: could _you_ add that url to the wiki?
Steve Jacobs: ANdy its generally just been open on e-mail to committee at large
Steve Jacobs: url not yet generated. WIll add when it is generated
thelateenglishma: What has?
WendyDespain: the mysterious machinations of the exec really haven't been as mysterious as you might think
Chris Bateman: Rich - that's an awesome idea - I'd love to live on as a Muppet. :D
thelateenglishma: I wasn't intending that they should be LOL
thelateenglishma: More a case of when shall we sort out who's doing what and when without boring the pants of other people or overloading their inboxes :D
WendyDespain: oh, i say we do it via email
Steve Jacobs: e-mail is what we've done in past
WendyDespain: like, drop us an email and we'll figure it out
thelateenglishma: marvellous
thelateenglishma: :0)
WendyDespain: Chris, are you going to add that mysterious #2 to the wiki somewhere? the one with exec responsibilities?
WendyDespain: see, what happens when you put me overtly in charge is that i start making assignments instead of suggestions
Chris Bateman: I am trying to sort out the agenda update at the moment, but I'll get to the latter in a moment...
Steve Jacobs: danke
Chris Bateman: Who is in charge of volunteers at the moment...?
Steve Jacobs: Richard :-)
Dansky: I think they're still waiting on a volunteer.
WendyDespain: i think we should all be in charge of volunteers
Chris Bateman: It's just for the purposes of the Agenda, really. I'll assign it to Andy for now. :)
WendyDespain: like, as a committee member, it's your job to stump for volunteers - or be stuck doing all the work yourself
thelateenglishma: does dealing with volunteers involve the use of thumbscrews, cattleprods and confessions?
Steve Jacobs: That's "tough love" despain speaking
J.: Maybe I just lack perspective here, but it seems as though defining what needs to be done could do a lot for volunteerism.
thelateenglishma: someone'll have to tell me what the job entails if not :0)
J.: And no, I'm not volunteering to do that, because I don't think I'd know what I was doing. :)
WendyDespain: J. we've got it defined on the wiki
J.: Seems like we all "volunteer" for lots of things, but it's not always clear to me what everyone "does".
WendyDespain: but evidently, that's not working. do you have other suggestions?
Chris Bateman: The whole volunteer scheme could use a boot up the backside, though.
WendyDespain: hmm. you know, one thing that used to happen but hasn't happened in a long time, is a regular report sent to the general mailing list about what's going on and what needs volunteers
J.: I don't know, I admit to not reading the wiki much because I only realized it was there last week, and I'm still not sure if it scares me.
WendyDespain: we've been leaving it to people to hunt down the information, assuming that meant they would actually be mjotivated to get to work
Beth A. Dillon: Good thing for a "Communications" exec person
J.: It's a lot of *stuff*.
WendyDespain: but i'm not sure that's been working, since we've had such a dearth of volunteers in the last year
WendyDespain: does anyone think it might help to resurect that practice?
J.: I think it's also apparent that volunteers are needed on a regular basis for just-in-time stuff, and other volunteers are needed for more long-term tasks.
thelateenglishma: I agree
J.: I don't want to sound like I'm harping, though. I need to spend more quality time with the wiki finding out just what this SIG's goals and functions are.
thelateenglishma: people won't often go looking to volunteer unless they're mad...looks around at everyone on the committee as examples
J.: Like many things, it's easy to take machinations for granted.
WendyDespain: is that mad in the british definition or the american?
thelateenglishma: we mad fols need to spread our insanity a little and an email might do that
J.: I think he means crazy. :)
thelateenglishma: what's the american definition?
J.: Not angry.
Coray Seifert: Greg Costikyan
Coray Seifert: ;)
Steve Jacobs: nice coray
Coray Seifert: just doing my part : </b>)
J.: oh no you di'nt
thelateenglishma: let's stick with crazy
Steve Jacobs: ok folks, classroom duties call.
thelateenglishma: one day you guys are going to have to learn to talk proper though :0P
Steve Jacobs: Keep those e-mails rolling
thelateenglishma: see ya steve
Beth A. Dillon: Heehee
James Swallow: cya
Steve Jacobs: will generate new url for the 25th sometime this week
Steve Jacobs: ciao for now
WendyDespain: bye
WendyDespain: thanks for staying on the exec
Chris Bateman: *waves*
WendyDespain: oh, he's gone already
thelateenglishma: he'll catch it on the re-run
WendyDespain: I'll confess that I used to write the "report" to the general mailing list, but I sort of quit when I started posting the minutes of this meeting to the wiki
Beth A. Dillon: Heh
WendyDespain: doing both just became overwelming for me
Beth A. Dillon: I think just a bi-monthly list of volunteer opportunities would be good
WendyDespain: so.... would anyone like to take over doing one or the other or both?
Beth A. Dillon: "Here's what we're doing, here's where we could use help."
thelateenglishma: I could take that on
J.: That would be really good.
thelateenglishma: Might mean I actually learn what's going on...
J.: Might find out we don't need volunteers as much as we think.
WendyDespain: sold to the late englishman
WendyDespain: one of the great things about this organization is that there's no limit to what we can accomplish if we put some effort behind it
thelateenglishma: what we need is a five year plan
WendyDespain: so i don't think it will ever be true that we don't need volunteers
Coray Seifert: *applause*
Dansky: Much of the confusion that I ran into trying to get volunteers was the fact that people were unaware of what there was to do. Rectifying that, and keeping that information in front of people, should go a long way.
WendyDespain: that's true, Andy. We already surpassed our last five year plan, and we've been floundering a little since
WendyDespain: here's a thought
WendyDespain: (again, this is what you guys get for putting me sort of in charge)
WendyDespain: Andy, want to give a go at writing a draft 5-year plan?
WendyDespain: you'll get extra bonus points if you use the words "world domination"
Chris Bateman: Alright, I've created a space for maintaining the Exec Duties on the wiki:
Chris Bateman: http://www.igda.org/wiki/index.php/GWSIG_Executive_Duties
WendyDespain: you rock, mr. bateman
thelateenglishma: I remember turning up to the meeting..what happened after that?
Chris Bateman: Now, all that remains is for it to fall into disrepair and dissuse. :)
Coray Seifert: can we work "Manifest Destiny" in there too?
WendyDespain: then we started the drinking
thelateenglishma: I can give that a go...
WendyDespain: Coray, are you volunteering to help him? Yay!
Coray Seifert: i'd like to volunteer for disrepair and dissuse
thelateenglishma: That's item four in our five year plan
Coray Seifert: i'd be happy to give it an edit, but im not back from my sabatical until may really
WendyDespain: oh that's right
Chris Bateman: OK, I'm going to have to slip away now as I have to import the monsters from one universe into another...
Chris Bateman: *waves*
thelateenglishma: cya Chris!
WendyDespain: bye Chris, don't be a stranger
J.: Later Chris
James Swallow: cya
Coray Seifert: bye chris!
Beth A. Dillon: Byyyyye!
WendyDespain: all i'm really looking for in a five year plan is a draft at this point. once something is written down then we can all edit and discuss and argue. but if it's still just a good idea floating out there, it won't likely go anywhere.
thelateenglishma: grand
Coray Seifert: if nobody's done it by May...it's miiiiiine
thelateenglishma: I'll have a think and put out an email asking what people think should be in it and then put the results together.
WendyDespain: good plan
Coray Seifert: that was an offer, not a threat...sorry, writing skills have gotten a little iffy...too much producerizing
thelateenglishma: We can hand the baton from one to the other if you like Cory
Coray Seifert: perfect
Dansky: It's been fun, folks. See you later.
WendyDespain: bye Dansky. Again with the much thanks for your hard work.
J.: Yeah, I need to bail, too. Will be mailing to the list this week.
thelateenglishma: See you Mr D, thanks for everything and good luck on the high seas!
J.: Take it easy, folks.
James Swallow: bai bai
WendyDespain: J. now that GDC is past, you'll probably get more response on the list
J.: I think so, too.
Coray Seifert: lata all!
Dansky: It was a pleasure. Best of luck, and congratulations.
Coray Seifert: Rich, you're my hero
Coray Seifert: someday i'll have a writerly beard like that too
WendyDespain: So Andy, do you want to write up a thing about this meeting, telling people what's going on and hinting about volunteers? Or shall I try to work that into the post about the minutes, and let you take that over later?
James Swallow: okay i gotta jet, sorry I couldn't do more.
James Swallow: I'm okay with the Associate 'ting, btw!
WendyDespain: we love ya James
WendyDespain: thanks for the moral support
thelateenglishma: see you next thursday Jim!
Beth A. Dillon: Heehee
Coray Seifert: bye all...good to be back(ish)
thelateenglishma: I think the latter is an idea, as I'll need time to get up to speed with what's going on and needs to happen tbh
WendyDespain: ok
thelateenglishma: once I know what's what then I can communicate it on from there
WendyDespain: it's a plan
thelateenglishma: Right, I'm going to make a run for them there hills as well. Jim, Rhi, see you next thursday for some plotting, emails to follow. see you on msn, or on email, stay happy everyone! :0)
Beth A. Dillon: Byyyye!
WendyDespain: bye Andy
WendyDespain: bye Beth
WendyDespain: bye Rhianna
WendyDespain: thanks for coming
Rhianna Pratchett: Bye Wnedy