I was really excited to read the below press release from Tammy Coxen, committee chair of North American Science Fiction Convention (or NASFiC). One of the issues plaguing the science fiction community is a lack of diversity that is, in part, caused by the cost of attending science fiction conventions. Detcon1 addresses this issue by offering free memberships to people who could not otherwise afford to attend, raising the money through crowdfunding. I hope to see more of this proactive community-minded spirit in the future!
November 22, 2013
Detcon1 Offers Free Memberships to Fans in Need
Detroit, MI – Detcon1, the 2014 North American Science Fiction Convention, is excited to announce the FANtastic Detroit Fund (FDF), a crowdfunded program to provide free memberships to Detcon1 to fans in need, with priority given to Detroit and Wayne County residents.
Detcon1 is soliciting FDF donations from convention members and friends of the convention to help fund these memberships. Donations are being accepted via the webpage. Each $55 donated to the FDF will buy a membership to Detcon1 for someone who would otherwise be unable to attend for financial reasons. Detcon1 will also match the first ten memberships sponsored. Donations are not tax deductible.
Detcon1’s FDF selection committee will work with local non-profit organizations, fan groups, schools, and other entities to identify candidates to receive the FDF sponsored memberships. Individuals may also apply independently via online application which can be found on the Detcon1 website. Anyone is eligible to apply but if demand exceeds supply, priority will be given to Detroit and Wayne County residents.
Convention chairperson Tammy Coxen says, “We are excited about this opportunity to make Detcon1 accessible to a wide variety of Detroiters, and to introduce them to fans from all over North America. We are looking forward to holding a convention that truly reflects the Motor City.”
The FDF is one part of Detcon1’s strong commitment to increasing the diversity and accessibility of the convention, and to making Detcon1 a place where all fans feel welcome.
ABOUT DETCON1
Detcon1 is being held July 17 through 20, 2014, at the Renaissance Center Marriott in downtown Detroit, Michigan.
The North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC), is held in years when the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) is held outside of North America. Worldcon, an international gathering of the science fiction and fantasy community, is being held in London, England in August 2014.
Memberships for Detcon1 can be purchased at http://www.detcon1.org/
For more details on Detcon1, visit http://www.detcon1.org/
“World Science Fiction Society,” “WSFS,” “World Science Fiction Convention,” “Worldcon,” “NASFiC,” “Hugo Award,” the Hugo Award Logo, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Trophy Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.
