THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW!
Welcome to a POLITICS FREE Platform Page!
As I have mentioned in my intentions email, I view this election as a selection of leadership rather than a political campaign. When I first started this campaign, I knew that I would have a lot to learn to be successful in this campaign. I have not had the pleasure to have the grooming that Sam did by serving on several positions on the Coordinator Council Staff. I may have been in fandom longer, but I have always stayed in the trenches with the chapters and midmanagement level. Just as Captain Kirk had a lot to learn when he got promoted to Admiral and had to learn to fly a desk instead of a starship. I think my leadership style is more like Captain Kirk and General Martok than Admiral Kirk. I probably have a completely different leadership style than my opponent. I'm not saying "better", I'm saying "different". The choice of better is in the hands of you, the voters. I do not condone mud-slinging or smear campaigns or political comparisons. I am not saying that they have happened here, but I don't like or condone them. I want this to be a professional campaign of deciding who's the best leader for MFI. Don't vote for me because I am a better politician or can play the political ad campaigns game like most politicians these days, but VOTE for me because I am a better leader.
I am really disappointed in that the Leadership of MFI must be determined by a political process instead of The Ja'chuq or the Klingon Rite of Succession. — Modern Klingon practices have seen the Klingon Rite of Succession ceremony conclude with only a brief proclamation that two challengers vying for leadership had been decided upon. However, the older form of the ceremony concluded instead with the ja'chuq — the listing of battles won and the prizes taken by each challenger. I would much prefer this type of campaign.
My Team values Honor, Duty, Respect, Motivation, Dedication, Logic, and political free leadership. We prefer to just get the job done rather than sitting around talking about the problem. We are not diplomats or politicians. I prefer a more militaristic form of leadership by choosing a chain of command rather than a political party. I prefer to gather my council to solve a particular problem rather than how am I going to prepare the next speech to address a particular issue.
What I intend to do if elected is to follow in the footsteps of the two previous ICs to continue the organization on into the future. I can never replace them. They were outstanding leaders. I can only possibly succeed them. I intend to keep several of the same staff they did, so long as they still want the job and willing to continue doing so. I have no intention on making any current significant changes to the already great organization called MFI. I intend to see it continue.
I am offering MFI a choice of leadership. Nothing more, nothing less. If you prefer Sam's type of leadership, vote for him. If you prefer the way I lead, vote for me. I would never lead from the rear, always from the front. I would never ask another person to do something I would NOT do myself. I delegate as needed, but not out of unwillingness to try.
Many people have been concerned about my use of persona. Well, persona comes from the word personality, which is where my persona comes from. When I think of myself as K'moghjIH, I view myself as a fearless leader, rather than a mundane computer technician. It boosts my ego to better prepare me for the challenges ahead. I find strength and honor when comparing myself to the Klingon Code of Honor. If this style does not suit your taste, choose another candidate.
I have many leadership qualities and experiences. I am an Eagle Scout, a Free & Accepted 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a Disabled American Veteran. I have three Associates Degrees and a Bachelor's Degree in Computers, I also have a Master's of Business Administration Degree in Technology Management. I have been a leader in many Veteran organizations, Community organizations, and fraternal organizations as well as being a supervisor in the military and in the mental health field.
Putting personas aside, I would personally like to thank all of the Chapter COs that took the time to send in their nominations for either candidate. It shows dedication of the Chapters and shows me that they truly have a vested interest in the outcome of this election. I appreciate every opportunity that I have received in the Maquis, because it was the first organization that truly made me feel like I am part of a family. The second was my Klingon House and the third was my crew. It gives me a sense of pride and honor that nobody can take away from me. I know that I usually act like the tough Klingon-Vulcan most of the time because I use logic and honor to measure my own humanity. I also constantly battle the war of emotions that would be typical of such a being and it is easier to deal with in persona terms.
With that in mind, on to the questions that were posed.
1) MFI Website. I am fully aware of the importance of the MFI Website and the costs involved. If I am elected to the position, I intend to have meetings with the Chief of Computer Operations, the Quartermaster, and the Advisory Council to come up with fundraiser ideas and donations to keep the website funded. While I cannot single-handedly afford to fund the Website myself, I will see to it that we acquire enough funds to keep it running even if we have to take up a collection from the Coordinator Council. I have no doubt that if elected, the Coordinator Council, the Advisory Council, and the Quartermaster can map out a plan to ensure that the website will be paid. My goal is to collect the entire amount to pay the first year in advance and then raise the second year funds with Quartermaster funds and other fundraising ideas. This plan will ensure that the website is maintained during my tenure. I will guarantee that the funds will be paid in any case.
2) Focus. The main focus of MFI has always seem to be about the fun and the "hands off" approach to dealing with chapters. I intend to maintain that focus. Even with that said, the charity and community service elements that we have implemented over the years are not going to go away. I'm not going to make a requirement of it, but I will continue to encourage and support it. I think that it is a good thing to do and gets more exposure to the chapters to aid in their recruiting. The only thing that I will consider adding is the attempt to re-establish the working relationship with the Maquis Freedom Alliance toward the Maquis United concept idea of the past. I think that all the Maquis organizations should be united and coordinating their combined efforts. We all have something different and unique to contribute.
3) Membership Expansion. I plan to work very closely with the Diplomatic Corps, the Membership Department, and the Maquis Advisors List to develop and maintain techniques for the recruitment of members. No one person can do everything, so by working closely with the people that are better familiar with these tasks at hand will provide for greater success in the long run.
4) Honest REALITY CHECK. I may have said or implied that this organization is "make believe," but I do not suggest that the responsibility of being the International Coordinator is not an important responsibility or to be taken lightly. I plan to treat my responsibility very seriously and plan to work at it very hard. I do not, however, see the need to stop using persona names unless it interferes with the performance of my duties. I feel that using the persona name and utilizing the skills and knowledge that I gain over the years of being in that persona is an advantage that I plan to capitalize on. Many people in fandom outside of MFI know the name K'moghjIH and know a lot about the Honored House Ki'RK. I plan to utilize that in maintaining relations with these other organizations which will enhance recruiting and diplomatic efforts between them and us. When dealing with mundane organizations outside of fandom, I always drop the persona because I know that they don't understand what that means or entails. In either case, I maintain a professional and businesslike attitude and manner in dealing with people. Everyone seems to feel that not using my persona name is most advisable,however, I still disagree. I do not see the difference in using whatever name to represent the IC. As Shakespeare said, "A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet." When we had that "war" with KLAW, I could see clearly whenever someone was in character or not, by the code "OOC:" meaning "out of character." I never made that distinction because both names are still me. Whether I am speaking using the name K'moghjIH or Larry, it is still me speaking. I use the same thought processes and voice for both. I don't differentiate because it is redundant. To me, it is just like when we were children, kids had nicknames for other kids. Sometimes, those names continue on throughout the rest of our lives. My neighbor still goes by "Butch", but when he is at work, he usually goes by Eugene because that is what goes on his paycheck. As much as it pains me, if it will make everyone feel better, I will use the mundane name as IC, if elected.
I hope this answers everyone's questions and concerns. I am excited and motivated about the opportunity to become the next International Coordinator. If you feel that my leadership style and plans for operation is agreeable to you, then by all means vote for me. Sam and I have different styles of leadership and different ways of doing things. It is all a matter of what you like best. I don't look at this as a popularity contest or a battle to the death. I hope that we can all remain firends and work together no matter who wins. If Sam should win, I will still serve with honor and pride knowing that I fought the good fight and I hope that Sam can do the same. To me, it's not about who wins or loses, but about growing MFI into a better organization in the future.
Lastly, just so you know, keep checking my platform and Team page, because I am always changing and updating it. This campaigning thing is a new experience for me and like any good Marine, I'm trying to improvise, adapt, overcome to get to the end of the journey. I feel that I have the leadership experience to lead this organization into the future and would appreciate your vote.
Someone had asked for a listing of qualifications as in a Ja'chuq, so here it is:
MFI Specific service:
Chapter Chairperson (CO, ICV Heghnach) since June 2002
MFMC Battalion Commander June 2002-June 2005
MFMC Brigade Commander June 2002-June 2005
Zone Coordinator June 2003-January 2005
MFMC Division Commander June 2003-June 2005
MFMC Deputy Commander June 2004-June 2005
KTF Deputy Commander January 2005-January 2006
KTF Commander since January 2006
Other related leadership skills/service:
Eagle Scout
Free & Accepted 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason
Disabled American Veteran of the United States Air Force (9 years USAF, 15 years DAV)
Associate of Applied Science Degree Data Processing - Community College of the Air Force
Associate of Science Degree Computer Specialist - Community College of Allegheny County
Associate of Science Degree Microcomputer Specialist - Community College of Allegheny County
Bachelor of Science Computer Applications (Minor: Behavioral Science) - University of Maine Fort Kent
Master of Business Administration Degree Technology Management - University of Phoenix
Took most MFI Academy courses available from June 2002-June 2006
Took over 250+ Starfleet Academy courses from different organizations
Specific Leadership courses include Officer Training School, Marine Officer Candidate School, Officer Command College, Flag Officer School, and Commander & Vice Commander, STARFLEET.
Chapter President / Vice President or some other leadership positions in several different clubs/organizations over the last 35 years
30+ year veteran of the Boy Scouts to include leadership positions of:
Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster,
Assistant Cubmaster, Webelos Den Leader, and Unit Commissioner, to name a few.
I have earned many Leadership Training Awards in performance of the above positions.
30 years experience in the computers career field (mostly mainframe batch programming and help desk support)
14 years Instructor experience with the Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force, Department of Computer Services, American Heart Association, and / or the American Red Cross
Shift Supervisor in USAF for at least three years, Asst. Supervisor for Behavioral Health Help Line for 2 months
Volunteered in Community Service, Charity, or Convention Projects totaling over 100 hours per year for the last 5 years
Qapla'!
Larry D. French, Sr.
(Lt General K'moghjIH zantai-Ki'RK)
IC Candidate
