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Marshmallow Wars gun creation

Posted May 5th, 2008 by Lunesar

We're getting together in the Fishbowl at Benson at 6:30 on Wednesday to make our Marshmallow guns. Everyone who wants to make a gun should bring $2 for pistols and $3 for assault rifles. We're hoping to make enough to play on Saturday at the BBQ. We'll have a lot of fun with these in future events as well. We'll be leaving by 6:45 to go purchase the pipe and going back to the Benson to make the guns. See you all there.

Addendum:

Making the rifles went rather well but we need to meet again to finish up work on them. All we really need is possibly get
some more pipe cutters and make sure our drills have charge in the batteries. Lets meet again at the fishbowl on Friday
at 6:30 to finish up.

Today 6:30 @ Fishbowl, Benson Building

Election Results

Posted April 12th, 2008 by Jerle

Thanks to everyone who came to the social on Friday! I think it went well and that a great time was had by all.

The results of this year's officer elections are:

Position Officer
President Jerle
Films VP CptSqweky
Games VP Splice
Writing VP onelowerlight
Art VP Radman
Literature VP SilverStorm
Public Relations VP TrombonePrincess

The appointed positions of Secretary(Xirax), Webmaster(Daen), and Treasurer(Lunesar) remain unchanged.

The term for these officers commences immediately and will last until next winter semester's closing social. Now, some of you may have spotted that the Art & Writing VP has been split in two. Radman has been appointed as Art VP for this year, and will be running a pilot program to see if we can get some good art-centered activities going in Quark. If it works out well this will become a regular elected position next year. More information on this later.

There probably won't be much in the way of major scheduled activities until Finals are over, but we hope to start rolling out some good plans for next year shortly thereafter.

Elections

Posted March 13th, 2008 by Jerle

People Running for Positions:
President: Jerle
Films VP: Squeeself, CptSqweky
Games VP: Splice (The gamer formerly known as PDay)
Writing VP: onelowerlight, RamenSensei
Literature VP: SilverStorm
Public Relations VP: sunstarr12, TrombonePrincess

Officer Elections for the next year will take place at 8:00 PM on Friday, at the closing social. All canidates for positions (including those who ran uncontested), will be asked to give a short speech immediately prior to elections. 5 minutes is the absolute maximum, and in most cases should be shorter. This is your chance to convince people to vote for you. For those who ran uncontested, it lets people get to know you and you can briefly outline your plans for the year.

As a reminder, you must be physically present at the closing social to vote, unless an absentee ballot is approved in advance. Requests must be submitted to me by Wednesday at midnight, and will only be considered if you are still going to be present in Provo over the coming year but can't make the social for some reason.

Quark Charter

QUARK: Science Fiction and Fantasy Club

Executive Summary

Purpose:
The purpose of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Club is to enhance students' experience at BYU by doing the following:

  1. Foster a sense of community among people who have an interest in science fiction and fantasy.
  2. Provide mutual instruction and learning regarding the themes and techniques of speculative fiction and fantasy.
  3. Educate through non-traditional forms of media.
  4. Meet the Aims of a BYU education and the Objectives of the Humanities College Student Council.
Structure:
The organization will be run by a President who is supported by Vice-Presidents of Film, Games, Literature, Public Relations, and Writing. These students will be elected at the end of each Winter Semester and assume their duties at the beginning of the subsequent Spring Term. Further officers may be appointed by the president as needed, including but not limited to a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Webmaster. Such appointed officers have a term expiration the same as elected officers, and must be re-appointed if they desire to continue in the position.
Activities:
The activities of QUARK will support its goals by focusing on social events that give students a chance to interact, exhibitions which will foster discussion and thought concerning specific aspects of science fiction and fantasy, and other events consistent with the aims of students interests. A list of proposed events is included.
Resources:
Resources for QUARK will be provided by individual members willing to contribute materials as needed.
Establishing the association:
The current officers of QUARK will oversee the election of new officers at the end of Winter Semester.

Purpose

Quark exists to enhance the experience of attending BYU. Many students hold interests in science fiction and fantasy which they believe to be singular to themselves. QUARK will help these students connect with others that share similar interests. QUARK will also foster an understanding that learning can come from all forms of activities, even those which are not normally thought of as educational.
To do so, QUARK will seek to achieve the following goals:

  1. Foster a sense of community among people who have an interest in science fiction and fantasy.
    • Hosting activities which create a safe environment to be an individual.
    • Creating a web space where discussion concerning member interests can flourish.
    • Provide a lending library of materials which will expose members to new authors and forms.
    • Provide an audience for creative works of the members' own design.
    • Facilitate contact between individuals with niche interests.
    • Create fun ways to foster interpersonal relationships.
  2. Provide mutual instruction and learning regarding the themes and techniques of speculative fiction and fantasy.
    • Screen and discuss films in the scope of science fiction and fantasy.
    • Offer an audience to critique creative works of members.
    • Gather students together for instructions in the creation of works.
    • Read and analyze literature for the purpose of learning and understanding.
  3. Educate in non-traditional forms of media.
    • Create intelligent discussion concerning comics, games, movies, and television shows.
    • Use media to spark interest in foreign cultures.
  4. Meet the Aims of a BYU education and the Objectives of the Humanities College Student Council
    • Aim: To recognize that the success of each department is interconnected with the initiatives undertaken by students to use their talents and training to make a positive impact on the world.
      • Writing meetings & contests and the film contests allow students to develop their talents.
      • The Games section provides creative development
      • Film discussions increase student knowledge of various film methods and techniques.
      • Aim: To recognize that the strength to make a difference comes from inclusion of all members of the student body-“the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect” (D&C 84:110).
        • This aim is met by our social interaction/community purpose
      • Aim: To recognize the importance of the Spirit to success in learning
        • We bring in the Spirit so far as the subject matter allows
      • Objective: Promote the academic, spiritual, emotional, and social well-being of students, faculty, and administrators.
        • This objective is met by our social interaction/community purpose
      • Objective: Provide students an opportunity to develop leadership skills
        • Officer positions provide opportunities for leadership and administrative experience
      • Objective: Encourage the importance of learning and growth outside the classroom
        • Our purpose is to provide mutual instruction and learning regarding the themes and techniques of speculative fiction
      • Objective: Gather student input on behalf of the College
        • Club representative in HCSC
        • Officers will serve as a conduit for information between the members and the college
      • Objective: Provide a source of service volunteers for college events
        • Members will be asked to make time in their schedule to volunteer both for college events and other forms of service.

Preplanned Events

  1. Weekly film screening and discussion
  2. Bi-weekly writing workshop
  3. Monthly literature meeting

Events to which a date will be ascribed:

  1. One or two socials which serve to introduce new members to existing members
  2. Short film contest
  3. Literature contest
  4. Gaming contests
  5. 'How to read and understand anime' workshop
  6. 'What can be learned from ____' presentation

Leadership Structure

The leadership of the club will consist of six voted positions:

  • President
  • Vice President of Films
  • Vice President of Games
  • Vice president of Literature
  • Vice President of Writing
  • Vice President of Public Relations

The

Leadership Responsibilities

President:

  • Oversee the overall structure
  • Ensure that Quark complies with BYU policy
  • Appoint a 'cabinet' to attend to upkeep and maintenance of the club, including but not limited to liaison to the Humanities department and web master. These positions may be filled by anyone of the president's choosing.
  • Lead weekly meetings.
  • Work with scheduling offices to obtain locations in which to have activities.
  • Work with or assign officers and cabinet members to contact and work with related organizations, including but not limited to the Utah Speculative Fiction Council.
  • Plan or assign officers to plan club socials and other events.
  • Write a review/editorial for the club website at least every other week
Vice President of Film:

  • Create a list of suitable films to be shown
  • Lead the discussion of said films
  • Moderate the 'Film' section of the website
  • Write a review/editorial for the club website at least every other week
Vice President of Games:

  • Organize events in which members may have fun and enjoy a good environment.
  • Moderate the 'Games' section of the website
  • Write a review/editorial for the club website at least every other week
Vice President of Literature:

  • Choose topics which will be discussed at monthly Literature meetings
  • Lead discussion of said meetings
  • Moderate the 'Literature' section of the website
  • Write a review/editorial for the club website at least every other week
Vice President of Writing

  • Collect, organize, and distribute the creative works of members
  • Lead discussion and critiques of said works
  • Moderate the 'Art and Writing' section of the website
  • Write a review/editorial for the club website at least every other week
Vice President of Public Relations:

  • Create and distribute fliers advertising upcoming events of the club.
  • Work with various campus groups to advertise and coordinate activities
  • Keep club historical information and documents.
Secretary: (Appointed Position)

  • Write a monthly newsletter detailing the upcoming events of the club.
  • Keep minutes of all officer meetings.
Treasurer: (Appointed Position)

  • Keep track of all funds the club has received.
  • Plan fund raising activities.
  • Be the primary point of contact between Quark and BYU for all financial concerns.
  • Dole out funds at the discretion of the President.
Webmaster: (Appointed Position)

  • Maintain the club website.
  • Maintain Quark's pages on external websites, such as BYU's Student Connection and other places of interest.

Election of Officers

  • Elections for the officers will be held at the annual closing social (just before exams start in the winter semester)
  • Appointment will be decided by whichever candidate receives the most votes of those attending the closing social.
  • Absentee ballots will be granted to club members unable to attend the closing social on a case by case basis and with a two thirds majority vote from the officers.
  • Any member of the club may nominate him/herself for any position, but all nominations must be made a week before the elections.
  • No one may occupy more than one voted position, nor run for more than one position.
  • In case of vacancies in the officer positions, the newly elected president will appoint someone to fill the position. If no BYU students are willing/able, then the President may appoint a non-student to fill the position with a two thirds majority vote from the officers.
  • Officers must be BYU students, except as noted above.

Club Policies

Officer Removal:

  • If an officer is unable, does not or refuses to perform their duties anymore, the president will remove them and assign a replacement.
  • The other officers can contest this decision, and overturn either the decision to remove or the assigned replacement by a 2/3 majority vote
  • If the president wishes to step down with less than six months of their time in office remaining, he or she will assign a temporary president to take charge until the next election. If more than six months remains until the next election, a new election will take place immediately.
  • If the president becomes delinquent, the officers can remove him/her by a unanimous vote and choose a replacement as they see fit.
Member Dismissal:

  • Only grounds for dismissal would be action utterly inconsistent with BYU standards or proper decorum
  • Offending member will receive a warning first, repeated offenses could result in dismissal
  • Unless there is an extreme circumstance where a dismissed member keeps disrupting meetings, dismissal simply means removal from QUARK's contact lists and being banned from the website
Meetings:

  • Weekly meeting will be held to discuss upcoming events and general news of the club. The times for these meetings will be discussed at the beginning of each semester as to fit into the schedules of the officers.
  • Any member may attend and give suggestions, but only officers have a voice in the final decisions made in said meetings.
Role of the Club Advisor:

  • The club adviser will be under no obligation towards the club except for the annual funding audit. Any assistance and input will be heeded, but the adviser will not be required to give it.
Club Membership:

  • Any individual who wishes to be involved with QUARK is considered a member. There are no requirements for participation.
  • There will be no dues. Members will be asked to contribute time, goods, and materials as needed.
Web Site:

  • The club's web site (currently found at quarksff.org) will be used as a medium to announce club activities, connect members, and offer a place to discuss science fiction and fantasy in all forms.
  • It will also contain articles, reviews, and editorials written by the President and the Vice Presidents.
Amendments:

  • To amend the charter requires the 2/3 majority vote of the officers (not including the president) The president has veto power over such vote.

Fund Raiser

Posted February 5th, 2008 by Lunesar

LETTERS ARE DUE NOW! WRITE THEM!

A reminder for all volunteers to get thier short thank-you letter written. Remember, each letter can earn the club $50, just a little effort can go a long way.

The details are found in this thread:

http://quarksff.org/smfforum?topic=31219.msg36645

Thank you for all your help. All letters are due by the 15th, so please PM them to me by the 14th, thank you.

Days Remaining: 0, Letters are due today!

Grand Total of Letters: 5

LETTERS ARE DUE NOW! WRITE THEM!

Letter-Writing Fundraiser

Posted November 5th, 2007 by Jerle

We posted about this a while back, but the time for action is now here. And sadly a bit rushed, but hey, we can pull it off.

We need volunteers who'd be willing to write typewritten thank-you letters to BYU alumni. They only need to be around 150 words in length, and ideally we'd only need 1-2 per person. A nice goal would be around 15-20 letters.

If you are interested/able to do this, please PM me ASAP. There are a couple of requirements for the letters (nothing major, but a few guidelines that need to be followed), so once I've gotten word you're interested I can get you the rest of the information you'll need.

This would only take around an hour per person, and it's a great way to help us raise some funds for the upcoming year. If we get 20 letters, that's a potential to earn $1000 for the club. That'd take care of food/prizes/any other type of imaginable expense for a while to come.

The letters need to be submitted to BYU on Friday, so again, this is short notice, but hopefully we can round up enough people who are able. Thanks for the support!

Wanted: Treasurer

Posted September 7th, 2007 by Jerle

One of the things that's been interesting about Quark is that we've usually had no club funds. While we usually manage just fine with individual members contributing, having a bit of money around would make a lot of things a bit smoother.

So...we'd like to run a fund raiser. There's a partnership available through the BYU Annual Fund where we could write thank-you letters to alumni that have donated to the university, and the university pays us a decent amount in return. It's something that wouldn't take much time for individual members, and is a way to help the club out. Naturally this will be strictly on a volunteer basis. We'll have more information on this soon.

Anyway...the main point of this post is that if we're going to actually have some club money to work with, that means we need someone to keep records and coordinate with BYU officials for this fund raiser, and then help manage the money. Anyone who would be interested in being appointed as the club treasurer please send me a PM, and please include any relevant information as to why you'd be a good fit for the position (Basically, if I get several interested people, I need something to help me figure out who'd fit the club's needs most).

Quark Officers

Current Officers
Position Name Nickname
President Michael Sewell Jerle
PR Representative Savannah Williams TrombonePrincess
Film VP Ross Wolfe CptSqweky
Games VP Jordan ? Splice
Literature VP Rachel Barnes SilverStorm
Writing VP Joseph Vasicek onelowerlight
Art VP David Hendricks Radman
Webmaster Josh Adams Daen
Treasurer Lee Allen Lunesar
Secretary Ilya Raykhel Xirax

2007-2008 Officers
Position Name Nickname
President Michael Sewell Jerle
PR Representative Robyn Hutchings / Savannah Williams (Winter Semester) bluepeach / TrombonePrincess
Film VP Ben Taylor / Chris Long (Winter Semester) Cardasin / Squeeself
Games VP Bill Giles Baggins
Literature VP Ben Stair beatobur
Art & Writing VP Joseph Vasicek onelowerlight
Webmaster Josh Adams Daen
Treasurer Lee Allen Lunesar
Secretary Ilya Raykhel Xirax

2006-2007 Officers
Position Name Nickname
President Tom Woodbury gumbi
PR Representative Ilya Raykhel Xirax
Film VP Kimberly Hill Philosopy
Games VP Russell Nix decemberist
Literature VP Ben Taylor Cardasin
Art & Writing VP Benjamin Hardin drek
Webmaster Josh Adams Daen