DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Fan Slants, v. 1, issue 1, September 1943

Transcribe
Translate

Fan Slants, v. 1, issue 1, September 1943

Page 5

FAN SLANTS 5
SOME VIEWPOINTS ON FAN CLUBS
by Phil Bronson
THE GREATER portion of the [local?] fan organizations of the U. S. lead rather precarious existences as witnessed by the ephemeral life of nine-tenths of such clubs. Only [a?] select few ever enjoy a prolonged period of activity, and a good part of these lapse into [obscurity?] or become merely social gatherings with little or no science-fictional background
Today, in 1943, this may be partially accounted for by the large number of active fans who have entered the armed forces{.?] But even in normal times a fan club has little chance for survival as a progressive organization. There are always certain elements which are over present hindrances to success. And nine times out of ten you will find a small, select inner group carrying on the struggle[--?] perhaps only one-fifth of the club's actual membership[--?]with the res indifferently looking on.
The outer circle[--?]those who seldom contribute anything to an s-f club's welfare but their prescence[--?]will always be extant. You can't get away from it When a club begins to function smoothly, backed by enthusiastic members, the desire to expand becomes inevitable. The enrollment of more and more members if merely to create an impressive roster, is advocated. When this happens, the "parasites", as I fondly call them, and the "young fans" creep in. They attend meetings with no thought of partaking in the activities, and the club has to rely on the inner clique to promote activity and do the work. The parasites are hopeless; you can't do a thing with them. The "young fans" are just that[--?]young. However, given a reasonable amount of time the inner circle of more widely-read and experienced fans can provide, as Sam Russel one wrote to me, a sort of "science-fiction school" for the younger members, offering them an oppertunity to become educated in the field of fantastic literature by listening to the discussions and analyses of people who know more about the subject than they do. With this necessary stimulus, it is possible to sometimes "educate" these fans so that they will posess the requisites for activity in the fan world, or at least in club circles.
There is always the problem of "what to do at meetings?" The necessity for previously prepared programs is paramount. Without regular programs members will become bored with the proceedings and will gradually drop out or will pro-vide a foundation for dissension and silliness at meetings in order to assure themselves of entertainment. There are almost any number of things which can be included in programs: quizzes, lectures, group discussion, criticisms, recording sessions, and so forth. And there are always outside activities for members to indulge in such as fan magazine publishing, outings, tours, producing amateur movies and/or still photos, etc. Opportunities for interesting and though-provoking programs are ever at hand, the element needed being only a willingness on the part of a few to work each time for a successful program.

Saving...

FAN SLANTS 5 SOME VIEWPOINTS ON FAN CLUBS by Phil Bronson THE GREATER portion of the [local?] fan organizations of the U. S. lead rather precarious existences as witnessed by the ephemeral life of nine-tenths of such clubs. Only [a?] select few ever enjoy a prolonged period of activity, and a good part of these lapse into [obscurity?] or become merely social gatherings with little or no science-fictional background Today, in 1943, this may be partially accounted for by the large number of active fans who have entered the armed forces{.?] But even in normal times a fan club has little chance for survival as a progressive organization. There are always certain elements which are over present hindrances to success. And nine times out of ten you will find a small, select inner group carrying on the struggle[--?] perhaps only one-fifth of the club's actual membership[--?]with the res indifferently looking on. The outer circle[--?]those who seldom contribute anything to an s-f club's welfare but their prescence[--?]will always be extant. You can't get away from it When a club begins to function smoothly, backed by enthusiastic members, the desire to expand becomes inevitable. The enrollment of more and more members if merely to create an impressive roster, is advocated. When this happens, the "parasites", as I fondly call them, and the "young fans" creep in. They attend meetings with no thought of partaking in the activities, and the club has to rely on the inner clique to promote activity and do the work. The parasites are hopeless; you can't do a thing with them. The "young fans" are just that[--?]young. However, given a reasonable amount of time the inner circle of more widely-read and experienced fans can provide, as Sam Russel one wrote to me, a sort of "science-fiction school" for the younger members, offering them an oppertunity to become educated in the field of fantastic literature by listening to the discussions and analyses of people who know more about the subject than they do. With this necessary stimulus, it is possible to sometimes "educate" these fans so that they will posess the requisites for activity in the fan world, or at least in club circles. There is always the problem of "what to do at meetings?" The necessity for previously prepared programs is paramount. Without regular programs members will become bored with the proceedings and will gradually drop out or will pro-vide a foundation for dissension and silliness at meetings in order to assure themselves of entertainment. There are almost any number of things which can be included in programs: quizzes, lectures, group discussion, criticisms, recording sessions, and so forth. And there are always outside activities for members to indulge in such as fan magazine publishing, outings, tours, producing amateur movies and/or still photos, etc. Opportunities for interesting and though-provoking programs are ever at hand, the element needed being only a willingness on the part of a few to work each time for a successful program.