Beth H ([info]bethbethbeth) wrote in [info]otw_news,
@ 2008-07-31 17:12:00
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Entry tags:newsletter

July 2008 Newsletter, vol. 15
Welcome to the third July issue of the OTW Newsletter! We're constantly on the lookout for ways to keep fandom up-to-date and informed about what's going on behind the scenes here at OTW, so twice a month (three times this month), Community Relations compiles updates about what the various committees are working on and we share them here.

All issues of the newsletter will be tagged accordingly, so you can follow our progress chronologically.

Academic Journal Update from [info]mafaldastasi

The academic journal is preparing to copyedit and lay out the first issue. In addition, paperwork has been initiated for a Digital Object Identifier (DOI, http://www.doi.org/), which will help the journal's article links to persist.

Accessibility, Design, and Technology Update from [info]black_samvara

AD&T have got basic search working and orphaning up. We've been refining our existing features and working on making our code and tests more efficient. The testers have been giving us a lot of great feedback, and we're looking forward to putting our new html/css coders to work.

Board Update From [info]kellyannbessa

The Board puzzled through spam protection options, and approved flyers for distribution at cons.

Community Relations Update from [info]bethbethbeth

Community Relations has been fielding questions from the fan community and working diligently on our ongoing "Spotlight on..." series (next committee under the spotlight...us!). Two of our number (i.e., Femme and I) will be heading to Chicago next week to attend the HP con Terminus; if you're going to be there too, come over and say hello!

Content Policy Update from [info]ainsley

Since the last newsletter, we've posted the Archive's draft Terms of Service, received much wonderful and useful feedback, took a deep breath, and started revising the drafts (again!) to incorporate that input. Many thanks to everyone who left us comments on the draft!

Development and Membership Update from [info]ignazwisdom

We've brought on a Swag Researcher to help us ... um, research swag. (Obvious cat is obvious.) We're planning a big donations drive in the (northern hemisphere) fall, so we're gearing up for that by working with other committees and poking at PayPal. As always, you can donate or become an OTW member at any time--just visit the site for details. (see below for definition of 'swag')

Elections Update from [info]ellen_fremedon

After a nice, relaxing summer vacation, the Elections committee is back, and ready to start putting together our first board election! We're currently getting final commentary from other committees on our FAQ and timeline-- start looking for official announcements next month.

Financial Update from Susan Gibel and [info]celli

The OTW has successfully filed its first 990 return!

Legal Update from [info]killalla

The Legal Committee has recently responded to a number of queries from members of the public, on varied matters relating to their rights and obligations. We continue to assist with drafting issues, providing clarification and support to other committees, as well as advice on potential related legal issues.

Open Doors

No update at this time.

Public Relations Update from [info]jacquez

PR's committee chair, Iphi Genia ([info]iphi1), has stepped down for personal reasons. For the time being, Cathy Cupitt will be functioning as the PR chair. On deck for PR: revamping our communications plans and developing the media contacts list.

Systems Update from [info]jadelennox

Systems is busy coming up with exciting new ways to describe for the newsletter all the operational tasks we do every week. So far we've come up with: We're Wikitastic! Drupalicious! Now part of your completely secure breakfast!.

Translations Update from [info]morganlefae

We're finishing up the translations for the website vocabulary! We're really looking forward to seeing the results!

Volunteers and Recruiting Update from [info]kellyannbessa

Volunteers continues to help the Org with its staffing needs.

Webmasters Update from [info]zvi_likes_tv

The Webmasters Committee is still hard at work converting the OTW website into Drupal. OTW staff members have received accounts on the test site and are learning how to create and edit content for their committees.

Wiki Update from [info]angstslashhope

The wiki is preparing our software & policies for the first round of closed beta-testing.

What details would you like to know? Please give ComRel a helping hand and let us know! Email us at comrel @ transformativeworks.org.

-[info]femmequixotic, [info]bethbethbeth, [info]ciderpress, [info]mirabile_dictu, [info]shrift, [info]svmadelyn
Community Relations Committee




(Post a new comment)


[info]princessofg
2008-07-31 09:39 pm UTC (link)
amazing. thank you.

(Reply to this)


[info]ratcreature
2008-07-31 10:13 pm UTC (link)
Er, sorry but to me "swag researcher" isn't at all obvious. Do you mean "swag" like "loot" (like in burglaries) as a joke for the donations that you mention in that entry? Why do donations need to be researched? Is it slang for something else?

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]bethbethbeth
2008-07-31 10:18 pm UTC (link)
From answers.com, 'swag' is "Promotional items, especially when given for free, considered as a group." In other words, they're looking into freebies to give away with various levels of donations, just like many non-profits do. (sorry the term wasn't familiar to you...I've see it so often on my f'list that I didn't even question it)

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[info]ratcreature
2008-07-31 10:23 pm UTC (link)
Maybe calling it promotional item would be clearer. I had never seen that meaning for "swag" at all before just now that I recall, I only had seen it for pirate loots and such. I guess the relation is there from people grabbing the free stuff, but I didn't connect it, to me it always meant stolen stuff. I think it's maybe a British/US difference and in this case I only knew the British?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)


[info]bethbethbeth
2008-07-31 10:28 pm UTC (link)
You could be right! I'm sure they'll be discussing the use of the term, but for the time being, I've added a link to the definition of 'swag' in the update post.

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[info]blushing_rose
2008-08-01 02:15 am UTC (link)
Just so you know...I did get it :) And while outdoor bedding would be nice, I'll take a coffee mug, LOL.

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[info]bethbethbeth
2008-08-01 02:24 am UTC (link)
*hands you a sleeping bag with OTW logo and a tote bag*

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[info]angstslashhope
2008-07-31 11:41 pm UTC (link)
In Australia a swag is a bedroll! Canvas with bedding in it. Once a jolly swagman etc...

I wouldn't mind some cosy outdoor bedding with my membership *g*

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[info]copracat
2008-08-03 12:48 pm UTC (link)
*takes official note of vote for branded swaggie swag*

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[info]ignazwisdom
2008-08-01 02:53 am UTC (link)
Sorry, sorry--and I tried so hard to be international with the whole "northern hemisphere" thing, too. :(

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)


[info]ratcreature
2008-08-01 03:21 am UTC (link)
Well, it's hard to know which words you use aren't universally shared in your language. You usually only notice once you see others looking at you blankly. (Actually I'd probably just have it looked up to find the meaning that made more sense, but the "Obvious cat is obvious." afterwards then cracked me up, what with me feeling so quite clueless. *g*)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)


[info]ignazwisdom
2008-08-01 03:40 am UTC (link)
This is true. I've learned a lot in my months working with the OTW--I guess I'm still learning. :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


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