kimmibeans
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Posts posted by kimmibeans
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Hey everyone! My name is Kimberly Merani, I've been a part of Otakon since 2011 and I really hope to serve you as your Vice President. I really want to help Otakon grow, and and important part of that is making sure are staff are taken care of. My qualifications and goals are listed below and I am open to any questions you have, whether they be on here or emailed to kmerani@otakorp.org
Otakorp/Otakon Experience:
Member at Large 2020-2021
Vice-President 2017-2018
Recording Secretary 2016-2017
Access Control 2011-Present (roles include: Rapid Response, Assistant Division Director, and Paid Security Liaison)
I've also assisted in Help Desk, Social Media, and Publications, and did the initial RFPs for EMS and Security for our transfer to DC. I've represented Otakon in Japan in 2018, including speaking on a panel regarding the influence of Japanese pop culture on American audiences and at the 2019 IOEA mini-conference in Barcelona.Outside Experience:
I am an instructor of Microbiology and Genetics, so I am very used to dealing with deadlines and difficult people. Previously I have organized academic conferences, run a non-profit organization focused on improving science education in inner city schools, and served as a Quality of Life representative for my graduate school. I am also a volunteer EMT in New York City. I've also worked as a patient advocate and private tutor. I guess with all of this experience you can say that I am a people person. If you have any questions about my experience both in and out of con, I encourage you to email me at kmerani@otakorp.orgGoals as Vice President:
-Provide support to the President and lighten their load
-Encourage delegation and limit roles taken on by staff members to prevent burnout and give others more experience
-Continue reviewing and revamping our current contracts to make sure we are getting the best price and service
-Improve staff morale and retention through improved staff support, better benefits, and appreciation throughout the year.
-Improve staff recruitment and outreach. I would like to start a committee to investigate and implement staff recruitment tactics.
Why me:
I've been with Otakon with over a decade and I have never stopped believing in our mission. I want to increase our reach, bringing in new blood both as attendees and as staff. We're growing again, and I want that to continue into the future. I'm good at working with and directing people, and I have previously represented Otakion and Otakorp on an international stage. I think well on my feet and know how to stay calm in a stressful situation. We also need a fresh perspective and I believe I can do that, but only by listening to our staff. This means we need to put staff needs at a higher priority, as I believe it has been sidelined for the past few years. Like everything in life, we can always improve, and I hope you will help me do that. -
Hey everyone! My name is Kimberly Merani, I've been a part of Otakon since 2011 and I really hope to serve you as your President. I really want to help Otakon grow, and and important part of that is making sure are staff are taken care of. My qualifications and goals are listed below and I am open to any questions you have, whether they be on here or emailed to kmerani@otakorp.org
Otakorp/Otakon Experience:
Member at Large 2020-2021
Vice-President 2017-2018
Recording Secretary 2016-2017
Access Control 2011-Present (roles include: Rapid Response, Assistant Division Director, and Paid Security Liaison)
I've also assisted in Help Desk, Social Media, and Publications, and did the initial RFPs for EMS and Security for our transfer to DC. I've represented Otakon in Japan in 2018, including speaking on a panel regarding the influence of Japanese pop culture on American audiences and at the 2019 IOEA mini-conference in Barcelona.Outside Experience:
I am an instructor of Microbiology and Genetics, so I am very used to dealing with deadlines and difficult people. Previously I have organized academic conferences, run a non-profit organization focused on improving science education in inner city schools, and served as a Quality of Life representative for my graduate school. I am also a volunteer EMT in New York City. I've also worked as a patient advocate and private tutor. I guess with all of this experience you can say that I am a people person. If you have any questions about my experience both in and out of con, I encourage you to email me at kmerani@otakorp.orgGoals as President:
-Begin planning Otakon 2024 as it will be Otakon 30.
-Encourage delegation and limit roles taken on by staff members to prevent burnout and give others more experience
-Continue reviewing and revamping our current contracts to make sure we are getting the best price and service
-Continue GR's efforts to procure talent from Korea and possibly expand to other areas
-Improvements to the website
-Improve staff morale and retention through improved staff support, better benefits, and appreciation throughout the year.
-Improve staff recruitment and outreach. I would like to start a committee to investigate and implement staff recruitment.
Why me:
I've been with Otakon with over a decade and I have never stopped believing in our mission. I want to increase our reach, bringing in new blood both as attendees and as staff. We're growing again, and I want that to continue into the future. I'm good at working with and directing people, and I have previously represented Otakion and Otakorp on an international stage. I think well on my feet and know how to stay calm in a stressful situation. We also need a fresh perspective and I believe I can do that, but only by listening to our staff. This means we need to put staff needs at a higher priority, as I believe it has been sidelined for the past few years. Like everything in life, we can always improve, and I hope you will help me do that. -
On 8/9/2021 at 4:09 PM, windseeker said:
Seems like I hit a nerve there. You okay?
Pretty sure I was hardly the only one expecting a lower turnout. But even before going I knew I wouldn't be wandering around the building like I normally do or eating inside. I'm more worried about the people there who were being lazy with masks just because they were seated.
We did continuously remind people to put on their mask if we saw them, even if they were seated in a panel room. There were also signs when you entered the room that you must keep your mask on. We actually kicked somebody out for refusing to put on their mask during the masquerade. However, we don't have eyes everywhere and may have missed some folks.
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23 hours ago, blackdaggr said:
- The staffer who was threatening to eject male cosplayers who weren't wearing shirts. Seriously, this is specifically allowed on the website.
That was the Convention Center. There was some confusion regarding policy with us and them, but we did fix it.
Member at Large
in 2022-2023 Term
Posted
Hey everyone! My name is Kimberly Merani, I've been a part of Otakon since 2011 and I really hope to serve you a Member at Large. I really want to help Otakon grow, and and important part of that is making sure are staff are taken care of. My qualifications and goals are listed below and I am open to any questions you have, whether they be on here or emailed to kmerani@otakorp.org
Otakorp/Otakon Experience:
Member at Large 2020-2021
Vice-President 2017-2018
Recording Secretary 2016-2017
Access Control 2011-Present (roles include: Rapid Response, Assistant Division Director, and Paid Security Liaison)
I've also assisted in Help Desk, Social Media, and Publications, and did the initial RFPs for EMS and Security for our transfer to DC. I've represented Otakon in Japan in 2018, including speaking on a panel regarding the influence of Japanese pop culture on American audiences and at the 2019 IOEA mini-conference in Barcelona.
Outside Experience:
I am an instructor of Microbiology and Genetics, so I am very used to dealing with deadlines and difficult people. Previously I have organized academic conferences, run a non-profit organization focused on improving science education in inner city schools, and served as a Quality of Life representative for my graduate school. I am also a volunteer EMT in New York City. I've also worked as a patient advocate and private tutor. I guess with all of this experience you can say that I am a people person. If you have any questions about my experience both in and out of con, I encourage you to email me at kmerani@otakorp.org
Goals as Member at Large:
-Improve staff morale and retention through improved staff support, better benefits, and appreciation throughout the year.
-Improve staff recruitment and outreach. I would like to start a committee to investigate and implement staff recruitment tactics.
Why me:
I've been with Otakon with over a decade and I have never stopped believing in our mission. I want to increase our reach, bringing in new blood both as attendees and as staff. We're growing again, and I want that to continue into the future. I'm good at working with and directing people, and I have previously represented Otakion and Otakorp on an international stage. I think well on my feet and know how to stay calm in a stressful situation. We also need a fresh perspective and I believe I can do that, but only by listening to our staff. This means we need to put staff needs at a higher priority, as I believe it has been sidelined for the past few years. Like everything in life, we can always improve, and I hope you will help me do that.