PROPOSAL FOR A FELLOWSHIP

ariel · 28th February 2006, 04:26 AM

PROPOSAL FOR A FELLOWSHIP

My wife Elizabeth suggested to me a brilliant idea (as all her ideas usually are, anyway*).
Could we start collecting money to invite a colleague of ours (say, one per year) from countries with struggling economies (E. Europe, SE Asia, Caucasus etc) to attend Timonium Pandemonium. In exchange, this person would be asked to deliver a talk about weapons of his/her region. This will provide a unique opportunity for people who cannot otherwise afford it and an astonishing educational experience for all of us. At the universities we do similar things all the time and it is a great way to widen the scope of our involvement, to forge new ties and to get new ideas.

The amount to be contributed does not have to be great: airfare to the US in the spring is usually pretty cheap, and forking out $50 per member (less that a price of a Kris or a Sudanese knife on E-bay!) will be more than enough.

We can collect enough money to allow this person to acquire a "VUSA" ("Visit USA") ticket with unlimited number of domestic flights within the US to visit some of us. I am sure all of us will be happy to host a colleague.

They will have to apply for membership and write a proposal for a talk and visits. We can form a Committee to review the applications and to decide on the award terms. Our moderators are lawyers and they can write up all the necessary documents.
Can we do it?

* My wife was peeking over my shoulder as I typed it and I had to be exceedingly nice to her.

28th February 2006, 04:26 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	PROPOSAL FOR A FELLOWSHIP PROPOSAL FOR A FELLOWSHIP My wife Elizabeth suggested to me a brilliant idea (as all her ideas usually are, anyway). Could we start collecting money to invite a colleague of ours (say, one per year) from countries with struggling economies (E. Europe, SE Asia, Caucasus etc) to attend Timonium Pandemonium. In exchange, this person would be asked to deliver a talk about weapons of his/her region. This will provide a unique opportunity for people who cannot otherwise afford it and an astonishing educational experience for all of us. At the universities we do similar things all the time and it is a great way to widen the scope of our involvement, to forge new ties and to get new ideas. The amount to be contributed does not have to be great: airfare to the US in the spring is usually pretty cheap, and forking out $50 per member (less that a price of a Kris or a Sudanese knife on E-bay!) will be more than enough. We can collect enough money to allow this person to acquire a "VUSA" ("Visit USA") ticket with unlimited number of domestic flights within the US to visit some of us. I am sure all of us will be happy to host a colleague. They will have to apply for membership and write a proposal for a talk and visits. We can form a Committee to review the applications and to decide on the award terms. Our moderators are lawyers and they can write up all the necessary documents. Can we do it? My wife was peeking over my shoulder as I typed it and I had to be exceedingly nice to her.