Post by Tim B on Jul 22, 2020 15:31:52 GMT
Each of the individuals who have submitted a request to run for election in 2020 have chosen to submit an introduction regarding their qualifications and introducing themselves to each of you.
Personally I would encourage open discourse to each of those running to make your best decisions. Looking forward to some healthy discourse.
Brandon J. Lands
Gentlebeings of SF7,
I have had the honor to serve the SF7 campaign as a player, a judge, an author, an editor, a convention coordinator, heading storyline committee, being a member of the storyline committee, member of various committees (including the Code of Conduct), formerly as president of the council, as vice president, and as a general council member (I think that about covers the roles and things I’ve done in the past with SF7).
I started playing Sparks just after college. A friend brought me along to GenCon . . . and the bug bit me hard! By the next GenCon I played nothing but Sparks the entire convention. Over the years I have built some amazing friendships and grown to get to know quite a few of you.
For those who don’t know me, and to reveal a bit more about me to those who do know me: I’m married to an amazingly supportive wife and have two sons (Titus & Evander) who you have likely gotten to know around the table. The boys have grown up playing in our Sparks Force 7 campaigns and as part of the SF7 family have benefited greatly from the times on either side and around the screen. This has given me a different perspective on our gaming group . . . one that is more about the future. A perspective that is about creating a legacy to be left for the betterment of SF7 – and what can I do to help serve in that legacy?
Where is SF7 growing (online environment, alternate campaigns, more locally focused events, etc.)?How can I personally continue to foster and grow these areas?
Where are our greatest opportunities (how can we communicate better with the player base as a whole, how can we encourage greater player involvement, etc.)? Where have I personally made mistakes here? What can we do better as players, judges, council members?
These are not simple issues and therefore there are not simple solutions. I do feel that there is a lot I can do to serve our community and I would appreciate the opportunity to do so. I look forward to building the legacy of SF7 with each of you.
I would welcome any questions, thoughts, and discussions you may have.
In Service,
Brandon J. Lands
Tim Bruns
I’m a long time gamer and friend of SPARKS who’s grown active in SPARKS and LOTE over the past 5 years after being active back in the late ‘90s. As a member of both campaigns I’ve written 15 modules/events, and am currently writing or editing 9 more in my long creative pipeline. I served with the council last year, where I spearheaded work to setup forums, coordinate the facebook group, and migrate to a new email group, something I brought before the council before Yahoogroups announced its shutdown. I’ve also spent time working on progressing the campaign in terms of accessibility and modernization by spearheading things like online gaming during the pandemic and hopefully continuing after in some form. I’ve made myself open to hear players opinions and voice them with the council, and looked to find ways to help SPARKS members play, communicate, and continue to enjoy the SPARKS campaigns. I hope to bring more of this to the council next year.
Craig Strasen
I'm Craig Strasen, and I would like to run for re-election to a seat on the SF7 Council. I've been a longer distance (Louisiana) SF7 member since GenCon 2014 and I have enjoyed this last year that I served on the council. In the last year, I have invested as much as possible by flying out to attend four extra conventions and writing four modules this year. I was the assistant convention coordinator for Origins and GenCon until those were 2020'd and I coordinated an online gameday. I plan to continue to volunteer to coordinate online as well as actual conventions again, when the world allows. When everything shut down this year, I helped Tim Bruns lead the charge on getting online Sparks gaming off the ground and because of the positive online reception, my module premiers will likely soon be online in the next couple of months. Regardless of circumstances or position, I look forward to serving SF7 this next year!
Stephen Tucker
SF7 Council of Elders Election Biography 2020 – Stephen Tucker
I am requesting your vote for re-election to the SF7 Council of Elders to continue to serve our campaigns. I meet all four of the SF7 Council requirements. I have been playing since 1995, judging since 1997, writing since 1998, and have and continue to coordinate numerous conventions. I have authored (including co-authors) 21 modules and for the Sparks campaign and 8 modules for the now defunct Force campaign and 2 Seminars for the Living on the Edge campaign. I have edited 48 modules for Sparks and 13 modules Force as well as numerous post-edits for several modules in both campaigns. In addition, I have written and judged for several (usually 3-4 per year) Seminars, Missions, Shore Leaves, and Interactives throughout the years for Sparks, Force, and Living on the Edge. I judge about 80+ modules a year for the Sparks and Living on the Edge campaigns as well as having judged a few Fantasy Flight Games X-wing miniatures events. I was one of the founding members of the Council of Elders chosen by the campaign creator and have served as an officer since its inception as the Jedi Master for one 4-year term and as the Jedi Historian for eight 2-year terms. The duties of the Jedi Historian are extensive, and I welcome the required effort to help support all of our events, judges, and players. I like to think I bring that long-term continuity to the campaign. The Sparks campaign is almost 25 years old and I started as a player that first year. I helped shape the Force and Living on the Edge campaigns from their start and continue to work with Sparks and Living on the Edge development extensively. I have a character in Sparks, Force, and Living on the Edge that has participated (play, author, edit) in every module, mission, seminar, and interactive event so far. When issues come up concerning the history of the campaign, I am able to bring a unique perspective with knowledge of all the modules, missions, seminars, interactives, past discussions, and rulings. I currently serve on the Storyline Committees for all three campaigns in varying capacities (arcs that I oversee). I am very passionate and protective of the Sparks, Force, and Living on the Edge campaigns and would like to help make sure they are here for many more years of enjoyment by all of our players, judges, and authors. I often travel to conventions in other regions and sometimes exclusively to judge to ensure that some of these smaller conventions and gameday events are successful. I judged over 87 SF7 slots at more than 20 conventions and game days in 2019 alone. No one else has the longevity of dedication supporting and growing our campaigns for nearly 25 years. I have recently renewed and improved my attitude and passion for all of our campaigns with assistance on the Code of Conduct development committee, so I can focus positive energy to all of our endeavors. I put a lot of time and effort into making all of the campaigns fun and successful for everyone and I hope to be able to continue to support them with my input on the Council. Thank you for your vote.
Luke Siddall
Hello all,
This is Luke Siddall. I play the good natured and sometimes silly Shistavenen Force User Ryark and hail from New Orleans, LA.
I have received a couple of requests from people who think that I have qualities that could be an asset on the council. I have agreed to run but want to make sure that I am very open and transparent about what I can and cannot bring to the table.
What I bring is excellent communication and conflict resolution skills and well as experience in leadership. I manage the daily operations of a successful walking tour company in the French Quarter managing 20 staff of very diverse artists. Needless to say these are strong personalities with wildly differing views of the world. To be blunt they aren't an easy crew but in our professional talent and reliability are the primary concerns. In my 9 year tenure with the company, 5 as manager, we have increased profitability by 20% on a yearly basis and more than doubled the size of our staff at least before COVID. I believe that the skills I utilize to communicate with and manage this diverse group of people can be of great value to the council.
A bit about my general roleplay/sparks ideology:
I strongly believe that Sparks is a very special and unique campaign. It's my favorite tabletop experience ever and I will passionately argue to have it continue not start over or reset from scratch. I think that you will lose what makes it SO very unique if that course is pursued. I have been part of clubs that have done "campaign resets" and it never seems to work out well. I fully support total inclusivity and online game days with council oversight.
I love the cinematics and the incredible stories that are told and how "star wars" the game always feels. I think that roleplay is paramount but also enjoy the mechanics of an excellently crafted character. I think that anything that helps non force users be balanced with force user characters is a good thing and that overall power creep is best managed by increasing the difficulty of modules and enemies not by limiting the "coolness" of what characters can do or have. I think that space combat should play a bigger role so that more PC's feel the need to increase those skills and that the "freighter wars" aspect is the single most pressing issue for rebalancing in the campaign.
Now for the full disclosure and transparency part. Here is what I cannot bring to the table and the main reason I was hesitant to throw my name in the hat. At this time I do not have the service hours to dedicate to writing, editing, coordinating, or judging that most council members very rightfully give. I just don't currently have the time or bandwidth in my life to do it although someday I hope to. I am also only able to attend one or two conventions a year in person due to my distance from yall although I am loving the online game days.
I can bring the leadership and communication skills I mentioned above and I think that IS something that could really benefit the operations of the council but I feel that it is important to make it clear up front that if I am elected I won't be able to take on the same level of service hours that many council members do. I think those service hours ARE appropriate and important and so I completely understand if I don't receive your votes on that account but I have been asked by several to run based on my other qualifications and attributes so I leave it to the membership to decide.
Luke Siddall
Titus Lands
Hello, this is Titus Lands and I would like to run for the SF7 Council.
As a lifelong gamer and supporter of Sparks Force 7 as an author, player, and judge I have grown to love Sparks Force 7. I have been involved with Sparks Force 7 longer than some of you have played for longer than I have been alive.
You likely know my father, Brandon. I want to make one thing absolutely clear in my intent to run for the council. I will not be a rubber stamp vote for my father! I've found myself as many of you may have, disagreeing with my father about issues related to Sparks Force 7. Know that I will stand on my own two feet and speak from my own perspective. This factor and my youth will be some of my great strengths.
I want to replenish the lifeblood of our campaigns. We need to bring in new players and I feel that reaching a younger audience is a great opportunity and perspective we do not have.
I also believe in the reunification of SF7 members. In previous years we have allowed our differences divide us. I believe that SF7 is an organization meant to embrace these nonconformities.
Thank you for your time.
Tony Prokes
Greetings everyone, it is that time of year where we need to elect members for the Sparks Force 7 council of elders. I am once again tossing my hat into the ring while my wife tries to intercept it. ;-) I have served the last two years on the council, though not as an officer (I am in the ranks of having been a previous Jedi Master, but had turned to the dark side). So by serving I have all of the qualifications to continue to run and serve you, the membership.
While this past year has been a bit rocky personally, we as a group have made some significant progress. As a volunteer position all of us on the council try to balance our personal, work, family, and time for sparks. I firmly believe that Sparks is larger than any one single person and in these trying times this has been proven true as we continue to explore new avenues of continuing to provide Sparks to the membership while maintaining safe social distancing (no matter your personal views on it). The ability to work as a positive team member, meet commitments, identify different viewpoints, and be respectful to each other are qualities that I believe I possess and would be a great benefit to the council.
My goals as a council member for the upcoming year, should I be elected, is to continue to assist the council with pushing the envelope for online gaming, story line advancement, and maintaining a safe and friendly gaming environment. (On that last note, please be sure to review and vote in favor of the new Code of Conduct to be added to the bylaws which will be on this years ballot.)
There are a number of qualified people running for the full seven seats of the council as well as a number of people that are extremely qualified that are not actively running (but would serve if voted for as a write in candidate), so I urge you to vote (even if it's not for me). This is your chance to put together a council dream team that will take the Sparks Force 7 campaigns to the next level.
May the Force be with you!
-Tony Prokes
aka: ChiChi Zzingnut and Bing Bang
Personally I would encourage open discourse to each of those running to make your best decisions. Looking forward to some healthy discourse.
Brandon J. Lands
Gentlebeings of SF7,
I have had the honor to serve the SF7 campaign as a player, a judge, an author, an editor, a convention coordinator, heading storyline committee, being a member of the storyline committee, member of various committees (including the Code of Conduct), formerly as president of the council, as vice president, and as a general council member (I think that about covers the roles and things I’ve done in the past with SF7).
I started playing Sparks just after college. A friend brought me along to GenCon . . . and the bug bit me hard! By the next GenCon I played nothing but Sparks the entire convention. Over the years I have built some amazing friendships and grown to get to know quite a few of you.
For those who don’t know me, and to reveal a bit more about me to those who do know me: I’m married to an amazingly supportive wife and have two sons (Titus & Evander) who you have likely gotten to know around the table. The boys have grown up playing in our Sparks Force 7 campaigns and as part of the SF7 family have benefited greatly from the times on either side and around the screen. This has given me a different perspective on our gaming group . . . one that is more about the future. A perspective that is about creating a legacy to be left for the betterment of SF7 – and what can I do to help serve in that legacy?
Where is SF7 growing (online environment, alternate campaigns, more locally focused events, etc.)?How can I personally continue to foster and grow these areas?
Where are our greatest opportunities (how can we communicate better with the player base as a whole, how can we encourage greater player involvement, etc.)? Where have I personally made mistakes here? What can we do better as players, judges, council members?
These are not simple issues and therefore there are not simple solutions. I do feel that there is a lot I can do to serve our community and I would appreciate the opportunity to do so. I look forward to building the legacy of SF7 with each of you.
I would welcome any questions, thoughts, and discussions you may have.
In Service,
Brandon J. Lands
Tim Bruns
I’m a long time gamer and friend of SPARKS who’s grown active in SPARKS and LOTE over the past 5 years after being active back in the late ‘90s. As a member of both campaigns I’ve written 15 modules/events, and am currently writing or editing 9 more in my long creative pipeline. I served with the council last year, where I spearheaded work to setup forums, coordinate the facebook group, and migrate to a new email group, something I brought before the council before Yahoogroups announced its shutdown. I’ve also spent time working on progressing the campaign in terms of accessibility and modernization by spearheading things like online gaming during the pandemic and hopefully continuing after in some form. I’ve made myself open to hear players opinions and voice them with the council, and looked to find ways to help SPARKS members play, communicate, and continue to enjoy the SPARKS campaigns. I hope to bring more of this to the council next year.
Craig Strasen
I'm Craig Strasen, and I would like to run for re-election to a seat on the SF7 Council. I've been a longer distance (Louisiana) SF7 member since GenCon 2014 and I have enjoyed this last year that I served on the council. In the last year, I have invested as much as possible by flying out to attend four extra conventions and writing four modules this year. I was the assistant convention coordinator for Origins and GenCon until those were 2020'd and I coordinated an online gameday. I plan to continue to volunteer to coordinate online as well as actual conventions again, when the world allows. When everything shut down this year, I helped Tim Bruns lead the charge on getting online Sparks gaming off the ground and because of the positive online reception, my module premiers will likely soon be online in the next couple of months. Regardless of circumstances or position, I look forward to serving SF7 this next year!
Stephen Tucker
SF7 Council of Elders Election Biography 2020 – Stephen Tucker
I am requesting your vote for re-election to the SF7 Council of Elders to continue to serve our campaigns. I meet all four of the SF7 Council requirements. I have been playing since 1995, judging since 1997, writing since 1998, and have and continue to coordinate numerous conventions. I have authored (including co-authors) 21 modules and for the Sparks campaign and 8 modules for the now defunct Force campaign and 2 Seminars for the Living on the Edge campaign. I have edited 48 modules for Sparks and 13 modules Force as well as numerous post-edits for several modules in both campaigns. In addition, I have written and judged for several (usually 3-4 per year) Seminars, Missions, Shore Leaves, and Interactives throughout the years for Sparks, Force, and Living on the Edge. I judge about 80+ modules a year for the Sparks and Living on the Edge campaigns as well as having judged a few Fantasy Flight Games X-wing miniatures events. I was one of the founding members of the Council of Elders chosen by the campaign creator and have served as an officer since its inception as the Jedi Master for one 4-year term and as the Jedi Historian for eight 2-year terms. The duties of the Jedi Historian are extensive, and I welcome the required effort to help support all of our events, judges, and players. I like to think I bring that long-term continuity to the campaign. The Sparks campaign is almost 25 years old and I started as a player that first year. I helped shape the Force and Living on the Edge campaigns from their start and continue to work with Sparks and Living on the Edge development extensively. I have a character in Sparks, Force, and Living on the Edge that has participated (play, author, edit) in every module, mission, seminar, and interactive event so far. When issues come up concerning the history of the campaign, I am able to bring a unique perspective with knowledge of all the modules, missions, seminars, interactives, past discussions, and rulings. I currently serve on the Storyline Committees for all three campaigns in varying capacities (arcs that I oversee). I am very passionate and protective of the Sparks, Force, and Living on the Edge campaigns and would like to help make sure they are here for many more years of enjoyment by all of our players, judges, and authors. I often travel to conventions in other regions and sometimes exclusively to judge to ensure that some of these smaller conventions and gameday events are successful. I judged over 87 SF7 slots at more than 20 conventions and game days in 2019 alone. No one else has the longevity of dedication supporting and growing our campaigns for nearly 25 years. I have recently renewed and improved my attitude and passion for all of our campaigns with assistance on the Code of Conduct development committee, so I can focus positive energy to all of our endeavors. I put a lot of time and effort into making all of the campaigns fun and successful for everyone and I hope to be able to continue to support them with my input on the Council. Thank you for your vote.
Luke Siddall
Hello all,
This is Luke Siddall. I play the good natured and sometimes silly Shistavenen Force User Ryark and hail from New Orleans, LA.
I have received a couple of requests from people who think that I have qualities that could be an asset on the council. I have agreed to run but want to make sure that I am very open and transparent about what I can and cannot bring to the table.
What I bring is excellent communication and conflict resolution skills and well as experience in leadership. I manage the daily operations of a successful walking tour company in the French Quarter managing 20 staff of very diverse artists. Needless to say these are strong personalities with wildly differing views of the world. To be blunt they aren't an easy crew but in our professional talent and reliability are the primary concerns. In my 9 year tenure with the company, 5 as manager, we have increased profitability by 20% on a yearly basis and more than doubled the size of our staff at least before COVID. I believe that the skills I utilize to communicate with and manage this diverse group of people can be of great value to the council.
A bit about my general roleplay/sparks ideology:
I strongly believe that Sparks is a very special and unique campaign. It's my favorite tabletop experience ever and I will passionately argue to have it continue not start over or reset from scratch. I think that you will lose what makes it SO very unique if that course is pursued. I have been part of clubs that have done "campaign resets" and it never seems to work out well. I fully support total inclusivity and online game days with council oversight.
I love the cinematics and the incredible stories that are told and how "star wars" the game always feels. I think that roleplay is paramount but also enjoy the mechanics of an excellently crafted character. I think that anything that helps non force users be balanced with force user characters is a good thing and that overall power creep is best managed by increasing the difficulty of modules and enemies not by limiting the "coolness" of what characters can do or have. I think that space combat should play a bigger role so that more PC's feel the need to increase those skills and that the "freighter wars" aspect is the single most pressing issue for rebalancing in the campaign.
Now for the full disclosure and transparency part. Here is what I cannot bring to the table and the main reason I was hesitant to throw my name in the hat. At this time I do not have the service hours to dedicate to writing, editing, coordinating, or judging that most council members very rightfully give. I just don't currently have the time or bandwidth in my life to do it although someday I hope to. I am also only able to attend one or two conventions a year in person due to my distance from yall although I am loving the online game days.
I can bring the leadership and communication skills I mentioned above and I think that IS something that could really benefit the operations of the council but I feel that it is important to make it clear up front that if I am elected I won't be able to take on the same level of service hours that many council members do. I think those service hours ARE appropriate and important and so I completely understand if I don't receive your votes on that account but I have been asked by several to run based on my other qualifications and attributes so I leave it to the membership to decide.
Luke Siddall
Titus Lands
Hello, this is Titus Lands and I would like to run for the SF7 Council.
As a lifelong gamer and supporter of Sparks Force 7 as an author, player, and judge I have grown to love Sparks Force 7. I have been involved with Sparks Force 7 longer than some of you have played for longer than I have been alive.
You likely know my father, Brandon. I want to make one thing absolutely clear in my intent to run for the council. I will not be a rubber stamp vote for my father! I've found myself as many of you may have, disagreeing with my father about issues related to Sparks Force 7. Know that I will stand on my own two feet and speak from my own perspective. This factor and my youth will be some of my great strengths.
I want to replenish the lifeblood of our campaigns. We need to bring in new players and I feel that reaching a younger audience is a great opportunity and perspective we do not have.
I also believe in the reunification of SF7 members. In previous years we have allowed our differences divide us. I believe that SF7 is an organization meant to embrace these nonconformities.
Thank you for your time.
Tony Prokes
Greetings everyone, it is that time of year where we need to elect members for the Sparks Force 7 council of elders. I am once again tossing my hat into the ring while my wife tries to intercept it. ;-) I have served the last two years on the council, though not as an officer (I am in the ranks of having been a previous Jedi Master, but had turned to the dark side). So by serving I have all of the qualifications to continue to run and serve you, the membership.
While this past year has been a bit rocky personally, we as a group have made some significant progress. As a volunteer position all of us on the council try to balance our personal, work, family, and time for sparks. I firmly believe that Sparks is larger than any one single person and in these trying times this has been proven true as we continue to explore new avenues of continuing to provide Sparks to the membership while maintaining safe social distancing (no matter your personal views on it). The ability to work as a positive team member, meet commitments, identify different viewpoints, and be respectful to each other are qualities that I believe I possess and would be a great benefit to the council.
My goals as a council member for the upcoming year, should I be elected, is to continue to assist the council with pushing the envelope for online gaming, story line advancement, and maintaining a safe and friendly gaming environment. (On that last note, please be sure to review and vote in favor of the new Code of Conduct to be added to the bylaws which will be on this years ballot.)
There are a number of qualified people running for the full seven seats of the council as well as a number of people that are extremely qualified that are not actively running (but would serve if voted for as a write in candidate), so I urge you to vote (even if it's not for me). This is your chance to put together a council dream team that will take the Sparks Force 7 campaigns to the next level.
May the Force be with you!
-Tony Prokes
aka: ChiChi Zzingnut and Bing Bang