What a Difference a Year Can Make
- By Kearson Winchester
- •
- 07 Dec, 2018
- •
A look back at the first year of RFL with CEO Kearson Winchester
It's the 1 year anniversary of the incorporation of Random Fandom Life, Inc. I can’t believe it’s already been a year. As I look back on the journey, my heart is warmed by the persistence and love that has gone into breathing life into a small idea that began to take shape in the early months of 2017.
The Supernatural fandom has led me to meet some really incredible people. Three of those people became my fellow founding members of Random Fandom Life: Brandy Melin, Jenny Hendrix, and Jaime Fitzpatrick. Coming from varied backgrounds and experiences, we all bring our own talents and perspectives to the mix. None of us had ever started anything like this before, but despite that, we dug in and pushed hard to make it happen.
Countless hours of online conversation led to the drafting of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. We’ve been talking to each other every day for close to a year and a half at this point. Every day is something new.
In January of this year, I flew to Denver to meet up with our CFO Jenny Hendrix so that we could open our corporate bank account. It was a quick trip (about 26 hours round trip thanks to bad weather), but we got things done and had fun too.
Opening an account specifically for Random Fandom Life was an essential part of our Transparency Policy, making sure that official transactions are made from its own account for tracking purposes.
If you head over to the Our Journey page of the RFL website, you can see how far we have come as an organization. We felt it was important to show people what we have been through. Everyone wants to help, but starting an actual nonprofit is easier said than done. SO. MUCH. PAPERWORK.
Our Transparency Policy is the foundation of everything we do. We want people to see what’s going on, because why not? The only things we keep under wraps are upcoming activities and campaigns so that other organizations don’t ‘borrow’ our ideas before we can execute them.
Opening an account specifically for Random Fandom Life was an essential part of our Transparency Policy, making sure that official transactions are made from its own account for tracking purposes.
If you head over to the Our Journey page of the RFL website, you can see how far we have come as an organization. We felt it was important to show people what we have been through. Everyone wants to help, but starting an actual nonprofit is easier said than done. SO. MUCH. PAPERWORK.
Our Transparency Policy is the foundation of everything we do. We want people to see what’s going on, because why not? The only things we keep under wraps are upcoming activities and campaigns so that other organizations don’t ‘borrow’ our ideas before we can execute them.
In February I flew to Kansas to check out a possible venue location for an upcoming event. While there, I met Breanna Johnson, Administrator of the Kansas SPN Family Facebook group. She and Rianna Melton were kind enough to show me around downtown Lawrence and introduce me to some mind-blowing Kansas City barbecue.
Also in February, my son Isaac and I attended the Give a Little Love Poetry Read with Rachel Miner sponsored by Random Acts. You can check out the blog of that event here.
The 2018 Paley Fest was in March, and I was lucky enough to attend and see a live screening of Scoobynatural before it aired. Attending fandom events such as this is always a great way to connect with other fans.
March also saw the launch of our very first campaign, This I Can Do, benefiting Random Acts. We didn't raise much, just under $60 overall, but it was a great experience, and every little bit helps. We look forward to more campaigns and events in 2019.
In May I attended the Jus in Bello convention in Rome, Italy. Fandom family exists all around the world, and getting to attend this event I was able to meet fans from many different countries.
For my birthday this year, I gave away more copies of Family Don't End With Blood. You can check out the blog for this giveaway here.
After the giveaway for my birthday, Director of the Board Jaime Fitzpatrick came to me and said "You've inspired me. I want to fund a giveaway for David Haydn-Jones' LTTU campaign. I can do 10 items." So we did a giveaway for that campaign, but we had more than 10 people respond, so I covered the rest.
I'm really bad about that. I set a number and never stick to it. Mostly because if someone wants a piece of fandom to make their life brighter, I want to be a part of that. You can see the blog for this one here.
I'm really bad about that. I set a number and never stick to it. Mostly because if someone wants a piece of fandom to make their life brighter, I want to be a part of that. You can see the blog for this one here.
Getting your organization's name out there is not an easy task. In an effort to spread the word, RFL sponsored Wayward Cocktails at San Diego Comic Con. It was a really great time. Jules really knows how to throw a party.
Sometimes networking involves getting your hands dirty. This year was my second year doing GISH. I always get my son involved in some way. The pic above is chocolate pudding, for anyone wondering. Through GISH, I have been able to meet other people, locally and globally, who believe in charity and kindness.
Supernatural is not the only fandom in this neck of the woods. My first fandom in my adult years was actually Twilight. Even though I could not attend the festival this year as I have the two years prior, I still sponsored the event. Here at Random Fandom Life, we love all fandoms, especially if they encourage people to do acts of kindness.
Quick story on the photo above: Jaime Fitzpatrick sacrificed having a Jared hug at the Supernatural New Jersey convention to get this photo for us, and I could not love her more for it. We will probably never stop hearing about it too. Can't say I blame her. Jared hugs are pretty awesome. I'll have to make it up to her at some point.
Quick side note about the bracelet: I didn't have any personal pictures of this, and didn't want to use any one else's photos for this blog without asking, but if you check the photos on the internet from this year's Jus in Bello on Saturday, you can see Jared wearing one of these bracelets.
I gave him one at his autograph session that day and he very sweetly wore it for the rest of the day. I didn't know it until photos of his panels started making their way to the internet and I realized he still had it on. Such a simple gesture, wearing a bracelet, and yet we here at RFL still talk about it, and when we see the photos, we still smile at his kindness.
Quick side note about the bracelet: I didn't have any personal pictures of this, and didn't want to use any one else's photos for this blog without asking, but if you check the photos on the internet from this year's Jus in Bello on Saturday, you can see Jared wearing one of these bracelets.
I gave him one at his autograph session that day and he very sweetly wore it for the rest of the day. I didn't know it until photos of his panels started making their way to the internet and I realized he still had it on. Such a simple gesture, wearing a bracelet, and yet we here at RFL still talk about it, and when we see the photos, we still smile at his kindness.
Above you can see the gang at Roosters Country Cabaret. For those not in the know, this is where Jensen Ackles rode the bull in Supernatural Season 12 Episode 11, Regarding Dean.
Everyone in this picture rode the bull except me and Brandy. My back was hurting, and Brandy was too afraid to do it. I don't blame her. The whole time I kept picturing one of them falling off and breaking their neck and having to hang out in a Canadian emergency room...or explain to their loved ones that they died riding a mechanical bull (which happened to be my idea in the first place).
Luckily everyone survived. I also have video. It's awesome. No, you can't see it.
It's funny to think that when we first started this journey, none of us had ever met each other in person. Yes, you read that right, we started the process of forming a nonprofit having never laid eyes on each other in 'real life.' It's insane, now that I think about it, but at the time, it just felt like the thing to do.
Director of the Board Brandy Melin and I were the first to meet in person in September of 2017. I was going to the Forever Twilight in Forks festival that year, but I came in a few days early to head into British Columbia with Brandy to see Supernatural filming sites. It was a great adventure.
The next to meet in person were me and Jenny when I took my son Isaac to the Supernatural San Francisco convention in December of 2017. We didn't have much time together (Isaac and I only attended on Sunday), but we had fun.
The only one I hadn't met before the Supernatural Vancouver convention this year was Jaime. None of us had ever met Jaime out in the wild. We actually blew right past her at the airport when we went to pick her up, but in my defense, she was on the opposite side of the road and none of us were looking that way. Totally her fault. (I can hear her yelling at her phone screen as she reads this, insisting that I'm blind and it's my fault. Can you feel the love?)
Not gonna lie, we all cried like idiots at one or more points during trip. We had been through so much together and to finally be able to wrap our arms around each other, it just made things really REAL. Don't ever let anyone tell you that internet friends aren't real.
I'm going to leave this blog with a few words from our CFO, Jenny Hendrix:
"I’m proud of us. We may not have raised thousands of dollars or built a school in a third world country or taken over the world. We did survive, as a fledgling nonprofit, for an entire year.
We did forge friendships that will last a lifetime. We did get the RFL name out there, despite our own anxieties and fears. And we did not give up. So while we may not have changed the world, we did make a difference."
Here's to another year. Onward and Upward.
RFL is giving away 10 items from the David Haydn-Jones <3=LOVE Campaign
RFL is giving away 38 copies of Family Don't End With Blood
Random Fandom Life has officially launched its first campaign: This I Can Do.
What's it all about?
RFL's first campaign is about something very fundamental: inclusion and encouragement.
We want everyone to know that no matter your fandom affiliation, or any other defining categorizations, if you want to do better, be better, and help make the world better, we have just one thing to say to you:
Welcome home.
Your actions, big or small, are all important in the tapestry of existence, and we want to celebrate them with you.
The world can be a discouraging place, and sometimes it's hard to find reasons to 'fight the good fight'.
Don't let the world or even your own doubts tell you that you can't do something.
Find one thing, no matter how small, and start there. Tell yourself "This I Can Do" and know that it is enough, you are enough, and hang on to that thing until you can move on to the next thing, and the next.
Be fearless. Be the change. One more step.
We want this message to spread far and wide, and in the process, we are going to raise money to help a great organization do monumental things.
Where's all the money going?
100% of the net proceeds from this campaign will go to Random Acts to help support the events, projects, and programs they organize to get others involved in making the world a better place. Random Fandom Life will charge no administrative fee for this campaign. (Check out our Transparency Policy for details.)
Where do I get go to get mine?
Visit the "This I Can Do" campaign on Represent CLICK HERE
Please note that the storefront only shows T's and hoodies in black and white, but if you click the T-shirt, then you can select other items from the drop down like different shirt cuts and tank tops. Sizes vary from XS-5XL depending on the item. We clicked all the buttons so you would have the most choices for item type.
So glad you asked! Spread the word on social media so that we can reach as many people as possible (see below).
Still not enough?
Well, we would also love to hear your stories. Tell us about the things you can do.
Tell us about a time you saw something that moved you to action to fix the situation.
Tell us about a time you helped someone, even if it was yourself.
Tell us about something you wish you could do or plan to do, and then tell us the first small step you can take to make it happen.
Tweet us with #ThisICanDoStoryTime, post a message on our Facebook Page , send us something on Instagram with #ThisICanDoStoryTime or send us an email at ThisICanDoStoryTime@RandomFandomLife.org with the subject line "This I Can Do Story Time". And if your story is fandom related, add #RFLBecause so that we can see how fandom has helped you in your life.
Three submissions will be chosen at random to receive a free item from the campaign.
I want to enter for a chance to get a free campaign item, but I don't want my business posted on social media.
We totally understand! If you do not want the contents of your entry to be shared publicly, please send it to the email above and specify that you wish to submit a private entry.
SHENANIGANS!
Random Fandom Life attends many fandom events around the world. If you are wearing a campaign shirt out in the wild at an event we are attending, come find us! We like selfies. And we may even be doing special fan events for folks wearing RFL merch, so stay tuned.
Be fearless. Be the change. One more step.
This I Can Do.
And never forget, welcome home.
The design for "This I Can Do" is by Light & Grace Media 's talented Taylor Hardman.
What's it all about?
RFL's first campaign is about something very fundamental: inclusion and encouragement.
We want everyone to know that no matter your fandom affiliation, or any other defining categorizations, if you want to do better, be better, and help make the world better, we have just one thing to say to you:
Welcome home.
Your actions, big or small, are all important in the tapestry of existence, and we want to celebrate them with you.
The world can be a discouraging place, and sometimes it's hard to find reasons to 'fight the good fight'.
Don't let the world or even your own doubts tell you that you can't do something.
Find one thing, no matter how small, and start there. Tell yourself "This I Can Do" and know that it is enough, you are enough, and hang on to that thing until you can move on to the next thing, and the next.
Be fearless. Be the change. One more step.
We want this message to spread far and wide, and in the process, we are going to raise money to help a great organization do monumental things.
Where's all the money going?
100% of the net proceeds from this campaign will go to Random Acts to help support the events, projects, and programs they organize to get others involved in making the world a better place. Random Fandom Life will charge no administrative fee for this campaign. (Check out our Transparency Policy for details.)
Where do I get go to get mine?
Visit the "This I Can Do" campaign on Represent CLICK HERE
Please note that the storefront only shows T's and hoodies in black and white, but if you click the T-shirt, then you can select other items from the drop down like different shirt cuts and tank tops. Sizes vary from XS-5XL depending on the item. We clicked all the buttons so you would have the most choices for item type.
How do I donate an item to someone in need?
Send USD through PayPal to ThisICanDoItemDonation@RandomFandomLife.org
$25.00 USD (for a domestically shipped donated item)
$35.00 USD (for an internationally shipped donated item)
Any amount donated through PayPal to this address will be applied toward a donated item,
so if you do not have the entire amount listed above, but still want to help, you can do so in any amount.
I don't have the money for an item right now! What do I do?
Enter your information on the "This I Can Do" event page HERE
If funds are available from donors, then an item will be shipped to you. Random Fandom Life will never share your contact info with anyone but the distributor of the merchandise for the campaign (and only to place the order for your item.)
Please enter your information only once. Multiple submissions from the same requester will be deleted and will not increase your chances of obtaining an item.
How can I be more involved in this campaign?
So glad you asked! Spread the word on social media so that we can reach as many people as possible (see below).
Still not enough?
Well, we would also love to hear your stories. Tell us about the things you can do.
Tell us about a time you saw something that moved you to action to fix the situation.
Tell us about a time you helped someone, even if it was yourself.
Tell us about something you wish you could do or plan to do, and then tell us the first small step you can take to make it happen.
Tweet us with #ThisICanDoStoryTime, post a message on our Facebook Page , send us something on Instagram with #ThisICanDoStoryTime or send us an email at ThisICanDoStoryTime@RandomFandomLife.org with the subject line "This I Can Do Story Time". And if your story is fandom related, add #RFLBecause so that we can see how fandom has helped you in your life.
Three submissions will be chosen at random to receive a free item from the campaign.
I want to enter for a chance to get a free campaign item, but I don't want my business posted on social media.
We totally understand! If you do not want the contents of your entry to be shared publicly, please send it to the email above and specify that you wish to submit a private entry.
SHENANIGANS!
Random Fandom Life attends many fandom events around the world. If you are wearing a campaign shirt out in the wild at an event we are attending, come find us! We like selfies. And we may even be doing special fan events for folks wearing RFL merch, so stay tuned.
Be fearless. Be the change. One more step.
This I Can Do.
And never forget, welcome home.
The design for "This I Can Do" is by Light & Grace Media 's talented Taylor Hardman.
I'm going to start by saying I wish I had taken notes. I'm still new at this blogging thing, so keeping track of everything that happens, and taking pictures too, is foreign to me. If anyone wants to follow me around taking notes and pictures of my adventures, please contact me. The pay sucks, and I'm kind of mean, but I'll drag you to cool places and make you laugh.
Moving on...
Valentine's Day. There are so many things, good or bad,that can be said about this holiday, but this post isn't about any of that.
This post is about a room full of random people in an old brick building reading words that caused a stir.
"Give A Little Love a night of poetry with Rachel Miner" was an event at Rapp's Saloon on Second Street in Santa Monica, CA, benefiting Random Acts and hosted by the folks at The Greater LA GISHWHES group.
I brought my son Isaac along (he'll be 9 in March) because he likes Rachel and because I thought it would be a good experience for him to spend time with cool people and hear some poetry. He didn't want to go, but in fairness, he never wants to go anywhere. Tough noodles, kid, you're getting some culture for Valentine's Day.
We stopped at Target to get a few gift cards to donate at the event. I learned my lesson at the last event about donating large quantities of items and then trying to lug them to the event site after barely finding parking. No weightlifting for me this time, thanks.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this 'open mic' event, but I should have known that it would be casual, because Rachel is just awesome like that. It was very laid back and informal. A few chairs, a few cushions on the floor, a snack table, and a valentine creation station. The idea was to make a valentine and then everyone would get to take one home at the end of the evening.
Well, my son wasn't having any of that. He took one look at all the heart shapes, stamps, stickers, and glittery letters, and it was on. He made one valentine for Rachel, made a second one, and then made a third one before he finally wandered back to sit with me for the readings.
Moving on...
Valentine's Day. There are so many things, good or bad,that can be said about this holiday, but this post isn't about any of that.
This post is about a room full of random people in an old brick building reading words that caused a stir.
"Give A Little Love a night of poetry with Rachel Miner" was an event at Rapp's Saloon on Second Street in Santa Monica, CA, benefiting Random Acts and hosted by the folks at The Greater LA GISHWHES group.
I brought my son Isaac along (he'll be 9 in March) because he likes Rachel and because I thought it would be a good experience for him to spend time with cool people and hear some poetry. He didn't want to go, but in fairness, he never wants to go anywhere. Tough noodles, kid, you're getting some culture for Valentine's Day.
We stopped at Target to get a few gift cards to donate at the event. I learned my lesson at the last event about donating large quantities of items and then trying to lug them to the event site after barely finding parking. No weightlifting for me this time, thanks.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this 'open mic' event, but I should have known that it would be casual, because Rachel is just awesome like that. It was very laid back and informal. A few chairs, a few cushions on the floor, a snack table, and a valentine creation station. The idea was to make a valentine and then everyone would get to take one home at the end of the evening.
Well, my son wasn't having any of that. He took one look at all the heart shapes, stamps, stickers, and glittery letters, and it was on. He made one valentine for Rachel, made a second one, and then made a third one before he finally wandered back to sit with me for the readings.
Welcome to the Random Fandom Life website!!!
We've taken off the training wheels, so forgive us for a few bumps and bruises here and there. Feel free to poke around and check things out. If you find anything out of sorts, feel free to drop us a line, because if you had something in your teeth, we would tell you. We wouldn't let you hang out on the internet, flashing it to the world. Help us help you help us...or something like that.
Here in the blog section we have a few throwbacks to blogs from the old wordpress site before we went fancy-pantsy and made our own. We aim to fill this section with blogtastic wonder. Stay tuned.
Make sure to check out the bottom of the home page where we have our roster of fandom families. Don't see yours? Let us know! We want to include everyone, so if you contact us, we'll add you. It's an on-going task.
The About RFL section tells you almost everything you need to know about us: where we came from, what we are about, how we work, who we help, and the faces behind the screen bringing amazing things to so many fandoms.
Events & Campaigns is where we list the fun stuff and believe us, we've got some great things ahead, so stay tuned. And, in the near future, you will be able to purchase your very own piece of Random Fandom Life through our Shop section! Patience is a virtue. We don't possess it, but we hear it's nice.
Interested in being a part of the fun? Contact us and let us know! We are always looking for people to help with the vision of making the world a better place through fandom unity.
~ Random Fandom Life
We've taken off the training wheels, so forgive us for a few bumps and bruises here and there. Feel free to poke around and check things out. If you find anything out of sorts, feel free to drop us a line, because if you had something in your teeth, we would tell you. We wouldn't let you hang out on the internet, flashing it to the world. Help us help you help us...or something like that.
Here in the blog section we have a few throwbacks to blogs from the old wordpress site before we went fancy-pantsy and made our own. We aim to fill this section with blogtastic wonder. Stay tuned.
Make sure to check out the bottom of the home page where we have our roster of fandom families. Don't see yours? Let us know! We want to include everyone, so if you contact us, we'll add you. It's an on-going task.
The About RFL section tells you almost everything you need to know about us: where we came from, what we are about, how we work, who we help, and the faces behind the screen bringing amazing things to so many fandoms.
Events & Campaigns is where we list the fun stuff and believe us, we've got some great things ahead, so stay tuned. And, in the near future, you will be able to purchase your very own piece of Random Fandom Life through our Shop section! Patience is a virtue. We don't possess it, but we hear it's nice.
Interested in being a part of the fun? Contact us and let us know! We are always looking for people to help with the vision of making the world a better place through fandom unity.
~ Random Fandom Life
This blog post is pulled from a Facebook post by Kirby Rosser, founder of the Facebook group WeAreSPNFamily. We found it to be a great analysis of the arc of the character Chuck/God and figured you would enjoy it as well. Thanks, Kirby, for letting us snag your genius!
I am so bad at keeping up with blogs. My apologies. On the plus side, I make up for my complete lack of communication by sharing the love and giving away cool stuff.
Cover Art by Chris Griffin
Here at Random Fandom Life, we support all types and genres of fandom. We believe anything that brings people together and inspires them to love each other and make a difference in the world is something to be celebrated. We also believe that anything that helps people to help themselves is something that should be shared.
Here at Random Fandom Life, we support all types and genres of fandom. We believe anything that brings people together and inspires them to love each other and make a difference in the world is something to be celebrated. We also believe that anything that helps people to help themselves is something that should be shared.
A few days ago I went to the book release party in Los Angeles for Lynn S. Zubernis’s new book Family Don’t End With Blood. It is a collection of essays from cast and fans on how the television show Supernatural
has changed lives.
