DUFF BALLOT 2005

North America to Australasia

Download a PDF version of the ballot here.

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 $4US or $6 Australian. Anyone may contribute and donations in excess of the voting minimum are gratefully accepted. Checks should be made payable to Guy and Rosy Lillian (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, 2004. “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: Two Australasian fans and three North American fans nominate each candidate. Each candidate has written a platform and promised (barring Acts of God) to travel to the Australian National Science Fiction Convention (Natcon), in Tasmania, Australia, June 10-13, 2005, and to serve as administrator of the fund until the next North American delegate is elected.

PLATFORMS

CHRIS BARKLEY: (Nominated by Maxy Pertuit, Johnny Carruthers, Michael Walsh, North America; Terry Frost, Stephen Dedman, Australasia) No previous Australian travel.

After being active in Fandom for nearly 29 years, as a convention attendee, con worker, media relations specialist for Worldcons, fan writer and activist, it would be an immense pleasure and honor to serve as North American DUFF delegate to Australia’’s national convention and share my various experiences with them and bring back some great ones to share as well. In addition to my own report, I also pledge to write and edit a compendium of all of the DUFF reports into a comprehensive history, the profits of which can be applied to future DUFF endeavors to both continents.

JOE SICLARI: (Nominated by Janice Gelb, Roger and Pat Sims, Geri Sullivan, North America; Eric Lindsay, Stephen Boucher, Australasia) No previous Australian travel.

I’ve pubbed my ishs, worked a couple of hundred conventions, chaired a bunch including MagiCon, been an active clubfan, even started some, without losing my fannish enthusiasm. I collect fannish paraphernalia, so much that there have been wifely threats – but it’s fanhistory! I want to meet fen, hear fannish stories, swap tales and learn more about Australia. If selected, my experience will help me keep DUFF strong. I promise lots of photos in my report so everyone will know who I’m slandering writing about. And for better or worse, I must be candid – I helped instigate the Australia in 2010 Worldcon bid.


DEADLINE: Ballots must be received by midnight April 15, 2005! Send this entire ballot with US$4 or A$6 (or more) donation to an administrator. Results will be posted at http://duff2005.blogspot.com.

VERIFICATION: The voters must be natural persons who have been active in fandom on or before January 1, 2004. 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.


Reference:_____________________________________________________

Reference address: ______________________________________________

______________________________________________


PLEASE VOTE CLEARLY & LEGIBLY. LIST IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE (1, 2, 3, ETC.):

( __ ) Chris Barkley ( __ ) Joe Siclari


( __ ) Hold Over Funds ( __ ) No Preference


( __ ) Write-in ____________________________


Name:__________________________________

Street:__________________________________

City: State/Province: _______________________

ZIP/Postal Code: Country:____________________

Phone #:__________________ E-Mail: _________________________


Signature:_______________________ Donation:_______________

Mail to North American Administrators:
Guy and Rosy Lillian
8700 Millicent Way #1501
Shreveport, LA 71115
USA

or

Mail to Australasia Administrator:
Norman Cates
P.O. Box 13-574
Johnsonville, Wellington
New Zealand

GHLIII Press Pub #977

Tsunami Relief

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Nominations for DUFF 2005

Nominations for DUFF 2005 are now open. The winner -- to come from North America -- will be expected to attend the Australian National SF Convention June 10-13 in Hobart, Tasmania.

To appear on the DUFF ballot, a candidate must submit nominations from 3 North American nominators and two from Australia and/or New Zealand. We will also need a $25 bond and a 100-word platform statement.

Nominations will close February 15, 2005. Ballots will go forth as quickly as possible. They will be downloadable from the DUFF website, and anyone who wishes may also publish downloadable ballots on their own sites.

Ballots must include a voting fee of at least $4US or $6Aus. Ballots will be accepted until April 15th, the winner announced as soon as Norman Cates and Guy and Rosy Lillian confer.

Candidates should start preparations towards obtaining their passports and visas NOW.

Any questions or comments should be directed to Cates or the Lillians via e-mail. Norman's e-dress is normanc@clear.net.nz; the Lillians can be reached at GHLIII@yahoo.com.

The Lillians will be moving from their New Orleans home at year's end, probably to Shreveport, Louisiana, but they will be maintaining their New Orleans address, P.O. Box 53092 NOLa 70153-3092, for the time being. Watch the website for changes.

Okay? Let the good times roll!

DUFF 2005 IS A'COMIN' UP!

Calling all fans! -- or at least, every North American fan who has ever wanted to visit OZ ...

2005 could be your chance! For the Down Under Fan Fund will be selecting a new delegate for North American Sf fandom to the June, 2005 Australian National SF Convention in Hobart, Tasmania -- and it could be you!

Find three American, Canadian or Mexican science fiction fans, and two from Australia and/or New Zealand. When nominations become open (on January 1, 2005) ask them to send letters of nomination to the current North American DUFF administrators, GUY & ROSY LILLIAN, at P.O. Box 53092, New Orleans LA 70153-3092 (or GHLIII@yahoo.com).

You, the candidate, send us a $25 bond, a pledge to attend the Natcon if elected and to administer the DUFF fund until your successor is chosen, and a 100-word platform. Ballots will go out on FEBRUARY 15th, 2005, and votes -- with a minimum $4 US ($6 Australian) fee -- will be accepted until MAY 1st, 2005. Either Guy & Rosy or the Australia/New Zealand delegate, NORMAN CATES, will accept ballots -- but we're getting far ahead of ourselves!

Two months remain until nominations are closed! Plenty of time to get a campaign together -- run for DUFF -- and fulfill the fannish dream of a lifetime, a journey to Oz ...

SPREAD THE WORD!

THE 2005 DUFF RACE IS UNDERWAY!


Nominations for the 2005 Down Under Fan Fund delegate are now open. The North American winner will attend the Australian National SF Convention June 10-13 in Hobart, Tasmania -- and experience first hand the Joys of Oz!

To appear on the DUFF ballot, a candidate must submit nominations from 3 North American nominators and two from Australia and/or New Zealand. Nominations will close February 15, 2005.

Ballots will go forth as quickly as possible. and will be downloadable from this website. Anyone who wishes may also publish ballots for their conventions and fanzines, or downloadable ballots on their own sites.

Ballots must include a voting fee of at least $4US or $6Aus. Ballots will be accepted until April 15th, the winner announced as soon as the current administartors, Norman Cates in New Zealand, and Guy and Rosy Lillian in America, confer.

Candidates should start preparations towards obtaining their passports and visas NOW.

Any questions or comments should be directed to Cates or the Lillians via e-mail. (Norman is at normanc@clear.net.nz, the Lillians at GHLIII@yahoo.com or rmlillian@bellsouth.net.)

The Lillians will be moving from their New Orleans home at year's end, probably to Shreveport, Louisiana, but they will be maintaining their New Orleans post office. A new address will be posted here when available.

EVER WANT TO GO DOWNUNDER? DUFF 2005 IS YOUR CHANCE!