FF:SA Parsec 15th Anniversary Dinner - 19th July 2014

I hope it turns out well!

 

Umm, how do you have a club anniversary celebration when the club itself doesn't exist? Remember that by definition a club needs to have some type of structure with actual members otherwise it has no formation or presence. Just having a couple of social gatherings in a year is pretty much just that, a social gathering. Actually I'm surprised you don't just call them SAFF meets as they seemed to do you guys well in the past.

This also prompts the question of how many people currently in your scene were members of Parsec when it was running?

 

That's a very admirable stance and I do understand where you're coming from. I wish you best of luck with it all but by the same token don't hold your breath.

As I've seen here with my own eyes, all the egos have now taken over and what is breaking up the entire SW community is that the 501st and RL costuming groups for the most part aren't SW fans, they're COSTUMING fans first and foremost. Speak to any of these people about various aspects of the SW universe and all they care about is the clothing.

Another issue you'll face (and this goes back to the ego thing) is that many of the costuming groups you're trying to unite simply don't want to mix or play with others. As I've found here in Melbourne, many are very self centred and will only participate in an event if there's something in it for themselves. To give you an example, this event is being held next year and should be right up the 501st alley, but how many do I expect to attend? None.

I suspect this is one reason why the RL/501st guys here don't get along which when you think about it laudes of absolute childishness. One day I'll tell you the story of when I saw the RL guys setting up their stall at Oz ComicCon whilst looking at the 501st setup on the other side of the room.

So you are right in that SW fandom should be one big happy family, but alas that isn't the case and I don't see things changing in the near future. Now to be fair things in SA maybe different and if so then perhaps you've got a better chance of succeeding in your goal, but I can tell you if the same event was being held here it wouldn't work.

BTW were you personally in the SW fan community when Parsec was first conceived? If not then I may know more about the club's origins than you do, including the history of the original founder and the REAL reason why Parsec started up

 

actually - whilst to a degree you are correct in there always being some level of friction between groups, we in SA have found that it is often easy to isolate the issues down to INDIVIDUALS, rather than the groups themselves
- dont get me wrong here, it has taken some time to steer some towards the light, but by and large, most now understand the importance of working well together when it is appropriate.
to be at odds serves no purpose, and harms all groups in the long run, with their interaction with the public, and future members.

with the passing of one of our more beloved friends, several of us have decided it an appropriate time to seek a balance in recognition of other groups in our state, regardless of the mission statements of the units, and in the betterment of fandom in general. working against each other is both a waste of time, and self harming anyway.

Steve Young was a multi unit member, as many of us are, and in his honour we have found a much better balance between us all - no group or individuals are pressured to seek cross membership, nor forced to interact in anyway if they choose not to - but all units are expected to be welcoming of new memberships, regardless of origin, or "primary service".
any issues between INDIVIDUALS are sorted out between them alone, and moderated outside of the groups by associated leadership, if needed.

i myself, havent been into this forum for a LOOONGGGG time, but would like to think i am welcome to visit at times if i choose - in turn, i welcome visits from any other unit to the other groups im involved in - RL/501/GA etc.

as many of us entered into the SA fandom via the Parsec group, and went on to be central to the development of other groups, it seemed a nice thing to get together on its anniversary, and catch up with old friends, and meet new ones.

 

You are Welcome Fox, as is anyone that comes back to visit as well as all the new members that will come up with the new movies coming!

THis is the FACEBOOK event page for more updated detials.

 

"BTW were you personally in the SW fan community when Parsec was first conceived? If not then I may know more about the club's origins than you do, including the history of the original founder and the REAL reason why Parsec started up "
I was there pretty much from the start , dont think there was anything other than a gathering of star wars fans and I must say, long overdue for Adelaide.

 

I am glad that it went well! Glad to hear that you all had a great time.