Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

Jeff Bardon, please post your Campaign Speech for the election to the office of Club Public Relations Officer hereafter.

The Campaign Phase of this election will end at Midnight EST on September 14th.

Good day to my fellow members of the NWC. I put myself before you in consideration for the post of Public Relations Officer.

I am from Massachusetts, USA and became hooked on military history at an early age, moving from the ancient world to Napoleonics after liberating my older brother's West Point series texts. I went on to get my bachelors in history and have remained an avid student of the subject ever since.

The Public Relations Officer serves a dual purpose. As a member of the cabinet, it is one of the administrators of the club, acting on behalf of the membership to sustain and enhance the club. It is a leadership position in a club of diverse backgrounds and opinions. In addition, it is looks outwardly on how the NWC is viewed beyond the confines of the Rhine tavern and the multiple factors that enable our online community to grow.

As a member of the club for the past fifteen years, my experience and perspective have equipped me well to take on both of these dimensions. During my time, I have volunteered countless hours working directly with new recruits and conducting training, to designing training scenarios, from division command to corps command, to maintaining web pages, updating the French Garde Imperiale and years on the cabinet as the French CiC. I have seen the club go through cycles of growth and contraction, met people, in a virtual manner, from around the world that shared a common interest, formed friendships and most importantly played games.

Throughout, it has always been the members that define and sustain the club. The members are what breathe life into the club. Without an engaged and active membership, we lose one of the best recruiting tools we have. We chat with friends in online communities. We discuss wargaming as a hobby and the history of the Napoleonic period. We spread, by word of mouth, what type of club the NWC is, and invite others to check it out. When the banter slows and the voices grow silent and all that is left are pronouncements and announcements, the Rhine, with the fire in the corner, Helga at the bar, and the assorted officers lounging about, becomes less inviting to the casual visitor.

The question then becomes how do we liven things up? How do we encourage more voices?

First and foremost, members must feel free to speak their mind. This is a multicultural organization and we cannot expect everyone to conform to a single cultural norm. As such, there needs to be tolerance and understanding of other's perspectives. Ideas, dialogue and even disagreements are healthy. They stimulate thought and show that the commenter is passionate about a topic. That is something I think we all can work on as events earlier this year amply demonstrated. Regardless of the election, that is something I pledge to do.

Collectively, we need to let bygones be bygones, but to put the past behind us and move forward requires that positive steps be taken so that it will not be repeated. The pervasive negativity, accusations and assumed evils that plagued the club led to the removal or departure of a number of officers on a scale unprecedented in the history of the club. To accept that as beneficial is short-sighted. It shrinks the rolls and makes the NWC less inclusive at a time when we need to be open and welcoming to as broad a range of membership as we can.

While I would hope that, as adults, we would refrain from posting innuendos, insults or subscribing to unfounded rumors, on occasion, it falls to the leadership to step in. As a leader in the club, it is more critical that a cabinet officer act in a responsible manner and be held to a higher standard as the arbiters of the club rules. If elected, I will work to ensure that judgments and actions are based on clear expectations and communication as to conduct, that formal discussions and opportunities to take corrective action are thoroughly explored. As PRO, fostering a positive reputation in the broader community, actively engaging potential members and replenishing the ranks will be critical. However, I do not shy away from stepping up and asking my fellow officers to entrust me with that mission. I would be honored to serve as Public Relations Officer on behalf of the officers of the club.

I applaud Roy for standing for this office. It is not a task to be taken lightly. I am sure he is committed to improving things, just as I am. Just as much, I am optimistic that we, all of us working together, can move the club forward.

Thank you.

Regards,
Jeff

_________________
Marechal Jeff Bardon
Duc de Castiglione et Prince de Wagram
Commandant de la Garde Imperiale

Congratulations on your candidacy.

I am sure your long service to the club and to the La Grande Armee and the NWC, in general, will be of great benefit in your quest for election as the Public Relations Officer.

Good luck in your victory.

_________________
Ernie Sands
1ère Brigade of 2ème Division de Grosse Cavalerie, Réserve de Cavalerie
de la Grande Armée
President, Colonial Campaigns Club

I have got to know Jeff well through a multi-player game where we were comrades in arms and he taught me a lot of helpful stuff to improve my gaming. He is a very patient teacher and very passionate about the gaming as well as the club and I know his dedication and drive are something which would help drive the club forward in the position of PRO.

That is why my support goes to Jeff as I believe he is the best person for the job.

Good luck to Roy.

Well, I am being forced to choose between two men that I respect and, after reflection and reading their posts, I would like to offer my humble support for Mr. Bardon. I think he will do an excellent job facilitating communication within the club and, more importantly, putting our best face forward to the world wide web.

_________________

Sir ,Mr Bardon ,you have my vote.
Your vision for the future of the club is something I feel I can so easily share and indeed warm my heart.
Indeed the club needs to embrace new members and not get closed off ,different ideas ,different voices ,different opinion ,for me that is this club.
I don't know your size but in the old days us from Iceland thought of you as a big man who was impossible for the Allied to take down on the field
of battle ,how fitting to see you later on take on the command of the France Guard Imperial (I do remember you as the France commander also).
Your 15 years here training new players and supporting the club is a thing I look at and I admit Roy Purcell I don't know and I have not had the
pleasure communicating with ,but Mr Bardons presence at the club was felt from the start of his first battle and for me to the present.
Mr Bardon you have my vote Sir

_________________
Général de Division Einar Jon Masson

Gentlemen, thank you for your thoughts and support.

As with most elections, there is a choice to be made. I believe in a reinvigorated club, one that is open to ideas from its members. This was once a club where ideas were freely exchanged and differing views appreciated. It should be and can be once more. Change is needed, from a small vocal group dominating the forum, to an open and inclusive place where we can all once again gather, both old grognards and new officers. I believe firmly in that vision and will continue to work with you to make it happen.

_________________
Marechal Jeff Bardon
Duc de Castiglione et Prince de Wagram
Commandant de la Garde Imperiale

The campaign period is now closed, and this thread has been locked. I will be emailing Voting Instructions to all officers. The instructions will be immediately followed by a Voting Form which you will need to submit in order to have your votes counted.

Thanks to all of the candidates for the cleanest campaign period that we have enjoyed here to date. Best of luck, gentlemen.