Let's get together!

Article by Richard Smith

This month we sit down the Demon Slayer, an OTFer since the beginning. DS has been planning unions for quite sometime now and if the person to ask if you want any concerning a union. To that end DS was also presented with the OTF Unsung Hero Medal for his work with Unions.

BR: So for those who may now know can you tell us what an OTF Union is?

DS: Unions (also known as gatherings) are organised get-together’s of outpost10f.com people who like to meet up in person. It’s nice to see and interact with people you may have seen online for months/years, and get to see new areas of the world at the same time. Also, some people would like to meet other people but don’t like being alone, so a group is the best thing.

BR: Speaking as a person who has planned a Union, how do you feel after it is completed?

DS: Happy & relieved ……. that it’s finally over, and that everyone had a great time. Sad….. that the time went so fast.

BR: What does a union attendee get out of the experience?

DS: Actually meeting other people they know from online, and get to know/see the sights of a new area of the world.

BR: Where did the Union idea evolve?

DS: That you would have to ask Andrew Maxwell (Rascal to me and early day’s attendees) as he organised the first official union (Las Vegas), but the unofficial unions was most likely a group of OTF’ers who wanted to meet up (See new area of the world was a bonus).

BR: How many people make up the Unions Team?

DS: Unions are part of Communications Team (been told it doesn’t exist, so I’ve been running a ghost ship ), but the Union website is just a one person job. Running a union can be one or more people.

BR: How would one go about joining unions?

DS: I would contact head of communications (Grotesque – suzyq@outpost10f.com), but as it’s a one person job, you would most likely be put on a list, or asked to work on another project if accepted into the team.

BR: How many people make a union? I assume it has to be more than 2.

DS: There is no actual ruling, but in my book I would say Mini Union 3-5 Union 6+ Also an unofficial union can have anyone attending. Official Union has an Admiral attending. Official Unions are normally once every two years. I think I’ll drop the unofficial/official title from unions as they are all run the same and end up the same, so might as well, just call them UNIONS.

BR: How does one go about planning such a get together?

I have put together a Dummies Guide to "ORGANISING OUTPOST 10F UNIONS" **Note – This has to be updated, but hopefully done by time of upload of this interview** on the union site, and can be found at OTF Unions Guide. Can you tell us why we don’t see very many unions these days?

BR: I find that people don’t run Unions much these days as?

DS: Several Reasons actually, among them… 1. They don’t have confidence in themselves running a union 2. They don’t want to go through the hassle of organising and running 3. Even though OTF’ers attend a union/gatherings, the organisers don’t class it as a OTF union. 4. The organisers don’t want to record or pass on info of the unions

BR: How many unions have you personally attended?

DS: I think to date; I have been to 31 unions. My 32nd will be the 10th anniversary.

BR: What is your most memorable union? What happened?

DS: I have two Unions that are memorable 1. Las Vegas June 1999 – This was the first official union, and my first holiday outside UK. I’m a shy guy and it was nice to finally see in person a lot of my Internet friends. Due to talking to most for almost two years, it felt like we was still in the outpost, but had an actual living person in front of you instead of a line of text. 2. London Union ???? It was the largest unofficial union I had run, with almost 30+ people (OTF + Partners and friends) being shown around London.

BR: Where can people get more information?

DS: Union info, past and future, and other union stuff can be found http://communications.outpost10f.com/~unions/ Also keep an eye on forums.

BR: Anything special you want to add for the masses?

DS: Don’t be afraid to organise a Union. And look at the Dummies Guide It’s also the best way to make stronger bond with your online friends.

BR: Please feel free to add in anything you think should get passed along to OTFers.

DS: Due to the lack of unions, I am resigning from unions, but not OTF. I will still attend unions I can afford to attend. So the position is open.