Will there be competition among regions to see which can have the largest percentage growth from year to year, or to see which can have the most total sessions reported, etc?

Mark, I definitely see our area growing, signed up 5 people today at the CS. 3rd month in a row with more than 12 interested players.

WOW! This is cool, but would be a daunting task especially in larger metro cities like New York, Boston, LA, and Chicago. I know there are dozens of gaming stores spread across the Chicagoland area plus at least as many dedicated book/comic dealers that dabble in games. To stay current with all of them, monthly, feels like a full-time job.

But those not in one of those metro areas might have a hard time getting enough people twice a month, not from lack of trying, but just from lack of people that actually go to gaming stores instead of ordering online.

WOW! This is cool, but would be a daunting task especially in larger metro cities like New York, Boston, LA, and Chicago.

I can speak for NY it is a team effort. You have a community of players who work together. We have a weekly gamenight in a cafe on Wednesdays some players find us that way.

We also have two gaming stores that participate with the D&D meet-up group and sponsor monthly gamedays on Saturdays. They allow us to offer Pathfinder Society at these events.

Additionally we have local conventions in NJ and CT.

Each of these are run by separate people but at each event people are directed to the other play opportunities in the area.

If anything our problem seems to be getting people stay interested after 6 months or a year. Many spin off into Pathfinder home games or move away.

This is a great idea!

But wow, a single coordinator for Los Angeles? Josh, you do realize how large this area actually is geographically, and how many people that covers?? (Santa Barbara/Ventura/Los Angeles/San Bernadino/Riverside/Orange Counties) And you have a seperate organizer for San Diego?

You might want to slice that pie up a little more! :)

Well, Its a start. and I always love a challenge!

Application sent.

If anyone takes up the mantle in Northern Virginia/DC, I'd be willing to help out quite a bit. But no way I'm giving up eight slots at GenCon! I GM all year - at GenCon I want to play!

If you take this slot, feel free to contact me: nolan at erols dot com

If anyone takes up the mantle in Northern Virginia/DC, I'd be willing to help out quite a bit. But no way I'm giving up eight slots at GenCon! I GM all year - at GenCon I want to play!

If you take this slot, feel free to contact me: nolan at erols dot com

I was thinking the same thing - I'm not spending my entire con running games and working booths - call me selfish, but I go to game, shop, drink, and socialize! :)

As for the region of Raleigh, NC - I might be able to help a little but couldn't coordinate that. I live near Wilmington, NC down at the beach which is about 120 miles or so from Raleigh. I could help recruit down here and maybe organize a game, but that's about it...unless the eventual coordinator can come up with some other ideas for our region.

I'm interested, but as I haven't yet managed to even get a PFS game in the UK, I doubt it's worth me applying? Unless everyone else in the UK also struggles. Josh how big a region in the UK would I be co-ordinating? Are we talking an individual city like Southampton, or a county like Hampshire?

Despite a lack of actual PFS games under my belt I already have a good rapport with the local shops in Southampton, and a large network of local gamers...

This is a great idea!

But wow, a single coordinator for Los Angeles? Josh, you do realize how large this area actually is geographically, and how many people that covers?? (Santa Barbara/Ventura/Los Angeles/San Bernadino/Riverside/Orange Counties) And you have a seperate organizer for San Diego?

You might want to slice that pie up a little more! :)

Well, Its a start. and I always love a challenge!

Application sent.

There's no reason a person can't be the regional coordinator and outsource smaller organizational tasks to local volunteers. In large metro areas, it seems reasonable to have one person overseeing everything and acting as official liaison between the GMs and coordinators on the ground and Paizo, while still allowing individual volunteers to coordinate the specific logistics related to games at their own stores, or particular minor conventions.

I don't think this system excludes non-regional-coordinators from working to promote and run PFS, but sets up a system to allow them faster and more local access to assistance instead of just posting to the boards or emailing Josh in Seattle and hoping he can provide enough support for them to get their games off the ground. Now instead of one go-to-guy for PFS support, there will be dozens, and in almost every case, someone closer to the end-gamer than Paizo HQ.

Josh might disagree (and his vote is certainly the only one that counts), but I'd encourage anyone who can meet most of the requirements to apply and just note that lack. These are stiff requirements - I imagine it will be difficult to get enough good people for all the positions (at least in some regions).

Good luck everyone!

I'm interested, but as I haven't yet managed to even get a PFS game in the UK, I doubt it's worth me applying? Unless everyone else in the UK also struggles. Josh how big a region in the UK would I be co-ordinating? Are we talking an individual city like Southampton, or a county like Hampshire?

Despite a lack of actual PFS games under my belt I already have a good rapport with the local shops in Southampton, and a large network of local gamers...

Hey Alexander, are you coming to PaizoCon UK?

Alexander Kilcoyne wrote:

I'm interested, but as I haven't yet managed to even get a PFS game in the UK, I doubt it's worth me applying? Unless everyone else in the UK also struggles. Josh how big a region in the UK would I be co-ordinating? Are we talking an individual city like Southampton, or a county like Hampshire?

Despite a lack of actual PFS games under my belt I already have a good rapport with the local shops in Southampton, and a large network of local gamers...

Hey Alexander, are you coming to PaizoCon UK?

Can't this year, but i am coming next year.

But those not in one of those metro areas might have a hard time getting enough people twice a month, not from lack of trying, but just from lack of people that actually go to gaming stores instead of ordering online.

This is why we are going to the Citadel next weekend first, as the owner is very interested in PFS and has the space and the room to run events.

I would consider applying, but I know that I'd be "crushed like grape!"

And besides, why would I want to do all the work that someone else already does? :) I'm much more content focusing my energy on maximizing my own table's fun... unless Thea's around. Then she takes care of that part, and I just focus on killing all the characters while the players are "having fun."

I would consider applying, but I know that I'd be "crushed like grape!"

And besides, why would I want to do all the work that someone else already does? :) I'm much more content focusing my energy on maximizing my own table's fun... unless Thea's around. Then she takes care of that part, and I just focus on killing all the characters while the players are "having fun."

Cause that's how I roll .. I made sure they have fun, I'm not a meany like Kyle!!!!!

I would consider applying, but I know that I'd be "crushed like grape!"

You should apply. If Josh is ruthless he will select someone else for the Detroit area because he's already getting all the regional coordinator-type work of of me, and it doesn't cost Paizo a thing. I'm too passive to quit the campaign if I didn't get the job, besides what else would I do with my free time?

You should apply. If Josh is ruthless he will select someone else for the Detroit area because he's already getting all the regional coordinator-type work of of me, and it doesn't cost Paizo a thing. I'm too passive to quit the campaign if I didn't get the job, besides what else would I do with my free time?

I must admit I've kind of got that attitude too. I'm hardly likely to stop being interested in Pathfinder if I wasn't in this role. Having said that, does anybody else think this is more of an idealised list of desirable qualities? It's really just about promoting PFS and organising games. If you show you have been/are capable of doing that then it shouldn't be a problem.

Josh:
Miniaturepeddler did highlight how extensive some areas could be, and that that might add to the challenges for a co-ordinator. I would ask that you take into consideration, when looking at a region such as the UK, that boat and/or air travel would be required to travel to/from places such as Belfast.
Whilst to a certain extent I can see that it makes sense to have one person in charge of an entire country or geographical region (and keeps things simpler at Paizo's end) could you please give the travel that might be called for some thought and perhaps allow regional co-ordinators (where the circumstances call for it) to propose names to Paizo of possible assistant co-ordinators able to cover remote areas, or even allow regional co-ordinators some authority to appoint such assistants directly?
And I hope you enjoyed Independence Day over there, and that there weren't any flying saucer difficulties... ;)

Whilst to a certain extent I can see that it makes sense to have one person in charge of an entire country or geographical region (and keeps things simpler at Paizo's end) could you please give the travel that might be called for some thought and perhaps allow regional co-ordinators (where the circumstances call for it) to propose names to Paizo of possible assistant co-ordinators able to cover remote areas, or even allow regional co-ordinators some authority to appoint such assistants directly?

I don't get the impression from the original blog post that a coordinator would be required to travel anywhere personally other than PaizoCon/GenCon/local conventions annually. In the case of the UK, there's nothing stopping whoever holds the title "regional coordinator" from coordinating games all over the country by contacting stores in other cities via email or phone or fax or carrier pigeon. It also seems to me that were Josh or Paizo as a whole to be micromanaging who a coordinator delegates to handle tasks within their region in order to meet demand that they are eliminating the benefit of having regional coordinators. My impression is that the application process will take into account how well a candidate appears to be able to manage the needs of their geographical region without needing to have everything approved and overseen by Paizo.

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Whilst to a certain extent I can see that it makes sense to have one person in charge of an entire country or geographical region (and keeps things simpler at Paizo's end) could you please give the travel that might be called for some thought and perhaps allow regional co-ordinators (where the circumstances call for it) to propose names to Paizo of possible assistant co-ordinators able to cover remote areas, or even allow regional co-ordinators some authority to appoint such assistants directly?

I don't get the impression from the original blog post that a coordinator would be required to travel anywhere personally other than PaizoCon/GenCon/local conventions annually. In the case of the UK, there's nothing stopping whoever holds the title "regional coordinator" from coordinating games all over the country by contacting stores in other cities via email or phone or fax or carrier pigeon. It also seems to me that were Josh or Paizo as a whole to be micromanaging who a coordinator delegates to handle tasks within their region in order to meet demand that they are eliminating the benefit of having regional coordinators. My impression is that the application process will take into account how well a candidate appears to be able to manage the needs of their geographical region without needing to have everything approved and overseen by Paizo.

Well yes, but if I had additional middle names, 'worry perhaps more than would be strictly necessary for most people about details' would be right in there. :D

Doug Doug wrote:

You should apply. If Josh is ruthless he will select someone else for the Detroit area because he's already getting all the regional coordinator-type work of of me, and it doesn't cost Paizo a thing. I'm too passive to quit the campaign if I didn't get the job, besides what else would I do with my free time?

I must admit I've kind of got that attitude too. I'm hardly likely to stop being interested in Pathfinder if I wasn't in this role. Having said that, does anybody else think this is more of an idealised list of desirable qualities? It's really just about promoting PFS and organising games. If you show you have been/are capable of doing that then it shouldn't be a problem.

Wintergreen

You have to options - read it a RAW or as RAI.

If you really apply the RAW then I wouldn't expect a single person in the UK to qualify according to the every letter in the job description.

If you apply the RAI - then the important bit is - Paizo wants to ensure you are committed and that you really drive PFS and Pathfinder forward in your area. They surely don't want someone who takes the free PDF and you don't hear from him again.

Whenever we do job descriptions in my company there are bits you need to fullfill and there are bits that are great to have. And even then you will get candidates who miss out in one area.

Writing a job description is difficult. You want to discourage people to apply who don't qualify - at the same time - you don't want to discourage people you feel could make the job well.

And as with real job interviews - if they already know you - this will influence their decision. It is great that they open it up to everyone - but face it - if you are active here - if you have organized for Paizo in the past - you will have an edge.

This is my personal opinion. Don't expect Josh to comment on it. He has to stay neutral in this.

Thod

No Pathfinder love for Mexico? I promise to be a worthy representative, as this aliosa says PAtM = Paizonian Ambassador to Mexico

Seriously!

You should apply.

LOL! Not a chance. I was just looking for a reaction out of the world's only TRUE 5 star GM.

There's no reason a person can't be the regional coordinator and outsource smaller organizational tasks to local volunteers.

In fact, this is how the system is going to work. The LA coordinator, for example, would essentially be the local (non-official) me and would be the point of contact for all conventions, game days, and so on in that region. Since part of the job is building and organizing local volunteers, it naturally follows that the coordinator for a given region should use those volunteers to assist locally. :-)

yoda8myhead wrote:

There's no reason a person can't be the regional coordinator and outsource smaller organizational tasks to local volunteers.

In fact, this is how the system is going to work. The LA coordinator, for example, would essentially be the local (non-official) me and would be the point of contact for all conventions, game days, and so on in that region. Since part of the job is building and organizing local volunteers, it naturally follows that the coordinator for a given region should use those volunteers to assist locally. :-)

Josh

In this case would it help if people applying also include mentioning local volunteers they already have working for them. No - I'm not applying myself. I've wife and family and until the kids are old enough to act as my local volunteers I can't see a way to fulfil the job.
Anyhow - I know of at least one better applicant. But I'm happy to act as one of his loyal ambassadors. And I guess the person knows whom I'm talking about. It was your table where I played my first PFS game.
Just leave East Kent for me :) I doubt anyone will try to claim this part of the UK anyhow.

Thod - Venture Captain of the UK Sunrise Lodge

yoda8myhead wrote:

There's no reason a person can't be the regional coordinator and outsource smaller organizational tasks to local volunteers.

In fact, this is how the system is going to work. The LA coordinator, for example, would essentially be the local (non-official) me and would be the point of contact for all conventions, game days, and so on in that region. Since part of the job is building and organizing local volunteers, it naturally follows that the coordinator for a given region should use those volunteers to assist locally. :-)

Thanks for the clarification, Josh.

Thod - Venture Captain of the UK Sunrise Lodge

Sunrise Lodge - love it ;-) Keep up the good work.

Thod wrote:

Thod - Venture Captain of the UK Sunrise Lodge

Sunrise Lodge - love it ;-) Keep up the good work.

The pier in Deal claims the fame to be the spot on this island that the first rays of the day reach. It is only disputed by the lighthouse near Dover - but that one is cheating as it is well above sea level.

Thod

In this case would it help if people applying also include mentioning local volunteers they already have working for them.

Can't hurt his/her chances. :-)

I agree this is the toughest requirement. I think why Josh is doing it is to see and talk to his Coordinators in person at least once a year. Nothing beats face time.

Not unlike what Asmodeus has demanded of his Archdukes since 1st ed.

Crow81 wrote:

I agree this is the toughest requirement. I think why Josh is doing it is to see and talk to his Coordinators in person at least once a year. Nothing beats face time.

Not unlike what Asmodeus has demanded of his Archdukes since 1st ed.

Allow me to be the first to worship you as the Demigod of 1st edition Nostalgia. Your proper worship will, of course, require the regular sacrifice of virgins! ;)

WDM4f

Allow me to be the first to worship you as the Demigod of 1st edition Nostalgia. Your proper worship will, of course, require the regular sacrifice of virgins! ;)

Actually, it was during 1st Ed when we last saw a virgin in these dang parts ...

Ahem

Thank you, I'll be here all week, remember to tip your waitress.

Josh,

Emailed you a question regarding the Denver area, but I get the impression from this thread that while you're required to coordinate for your region, you're not physically required to visit every store in your area, correct?

I guess I was thinking of this as a district manager position, where you must visit every store personally. And the time and costs involved could become more than a volunteer could swing. But, if phone calls and emails to distant stores will suffice then this becomes completely possible--even for busy & poor minions/wage slaves. ;)

VtM

Hi Josh,

I submit my application last night, but received an out-of-office reply this morning, so I'm hoping I haven't missed the boat and that we'll hear more after your return from Europe around the 19th?

Enjoy your trip :-)

Cheers,
DarkWhite (Australia)

Scribbling Rambler wrote:

And of course, there's the whole population density thing. Believe me, a "region" up here is a whole bunch more travelling.

You think you have it bad... try being the regional Coordinator of Australia. I am not envying the person who gets that gig...

I have to agree, whilst this is a nice idea it is very difficult to do.

I believe regions are currently divided up based on participation density. Using completely hypothetical numbers: If 100 people were playing in New York City, 100 in Boston, 100 all of Texas, and 100 in all of Australia, then there would be 4 coordinators, even though two of the cities are close enough to fit in the geographical area of the state, and all three US locations could fit in Australia. If you want a more localized region represented, get more players, more stores, and more local conventions to show Josh that the position is needed.

It would be kind of cool being Coordinator for the largest Pathfinder Society region in the world ... though I hear Antarctica is still up for grabs!

All I know is that it is a lot of work just to get the 40 or so PFS players in and around Melbourne together in order to work out games.
If I was to say try and also organise regular games with the 20 or 30 players in Sydney, 10 to 20 players in Brisbane, 10 to 12 players in Canberra and god knows where else in this country it would be a full time job!
And then there are the other duties to perform

> > > 3. Maintain and update monthly a full report of local game stores including contact information, manager's name, what Paizo products they carry, and whether or not they're running Pathfinder Society Organized Play events (with or without your assistance).

4. Build a positive rapport with all local game store managers and employees.

5. Provide the campaign coordinator with frequent feedback from game stores, volunteers, and players in your local area or region of responsibility. < < <

These three tasks alone require phenomenal amount of effort to achieve . . . do you realise how many gaming stores there are in this country??
It is simply not manageable for a single person in his or her spare time.

Don't get me wrong I think this is a great idea it just needs better foresight in order to be practically implemented.
At the very least I would suggest at least three coordinators for Australia, one in the north east, one in the south east and one for the west.
It would still be tough but manageable.

This is just a start. Let's avoid putting a bullet in the idea before it's even launched. :-)

It is simply not manageable for a single person in his or her spare time.

I'd approach this by building my own sub-network and delegating.

Since this is volunteer work, its probably understood to be on a 'best efforts' basis, so Josh won't ship you a box of rabid ocelots if some of the reporting is less than frequent or you (only) get 80% coverage of stores or something... probably.

Don't get me wrong I think this is a great idea it just needs better foresight in order to be practically implemented.

At the very least I would suggest at least three coordinators for Australia, one in the north east, one in the south east and one for the west.
It would still be tough but manageable.

I see your point. This regional coordinator idea works fine in the US, but due to the size of Australia, coordinating and attending nationwide Pathfinder games would a daunting task for a solitary coordinator. It's more a case of: Massive land area, tiny gamer population. Although from what I've seen the Pathfinder population seem to be in eastern Australia (Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney) there's still a 1370km (851 mile) distance between them.

I really don't have the time to be Australian coordinator myself unfortunately, but I'd be happy to help out whoever is chosen if I can.

But yeah, like Brock said, probably best to delegate responsibilities to different areas of the nation.
Good luck in your application DarkWhite.

Josh,
What level of activity are you looking for to establish new areas? I am pushing PFS in S. Florida now. Have one store that will be running a monthly PFS gameday and another store that will also be doing a bi- monthly one. I will be visiting some of the Miami game stores too. I see you have Tampa listed, but there is not a lot of people from this area that will go that far for events more than a couple times a year. There is also some hope of reviving GoldCon here again.

Doug Doug wrote:

You should apply.

LOL! Not a chance. I was just looking for a reaction out of the world's only TRUE 5 star GM.

Kyle, if I am selected I will make you the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator. Of course, I will need to put you through my own versions of Sexual Harassment training, Diversity training, Workplace Violence training, Ethics training and probably some remedial Math (cause math is hard!). Then we can discuss the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator dress code. You also need to start thinking about what you will be doing for Regional Coordinator Appreciation Month (August is coming!). I'll need you to submit your schedule to me because I'll be volunteering you to represent me at several volunteer organizations I (meaning you) have joined. Those 10 Habitat for Humanity homes aren't going to build themselves!

Bad Doug!!

Be nice!

:)

Kyle Baird wrote:

Doug Doug wrote:

You should apply.

LOL! Not a chance. I was just looking for a reaction out of the world's only TRUE 5 star GM.

Kyle, if I am selected I will make you the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator. Of course, I will need to put you through my own versions of Sexual Harassment training, Diversity training, Workplace Violence training, Ethics training and probably some remedial Math (cause math is hard!). Then we can discuss the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator dress code. You also need to start thinking about what you will be doing for Regional Coordinator Appreciation Month (August is coming!). I'll need you to submit your schedule to me because I'll be volunteering you to represent me at several volunteer organizations I (meaning you) have joined. Those 10 Habitat for Humanity homes aren't going to build themselves!

/applied ;)

Kyle Baird wrote:

Doug Doug wrote:

You should apply.

LOL! Not a chance. I was just looking for a reaction out of the world's only TRUE 5 star GM.

Kyle, if I am selected I will make you the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator. Of course, I will need to put you through my own versions of Sexual Harassment training, Diversity training, Workplace Violence training, Ethics training and probably some remedial Math (cause math is hard!). Then we can discuss the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator dress code. You also need to start thinking about what you will be doing for Regional Coordinator Appreciation Month (August is coming!). I'll need you to submit your schedule to me because I'll be volunteering you to represent me at several volunteer organizations I (meaning you) have joined. Those 10 Habitat for Humanity homes aren't going to build themselves!

Sorry, Doug. This list is wildly inappropriate.

You should obviously start with the dress code.

Doug Doug wrote:

Kyle Baird wrote:

Doug Doug wrote:

You should apply.

LOL! Not a chance. I was just looking for a reaction out of the world's only TRUE 5 star GM.

Kyle, if I am selected I will make you the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator. Of course, I will need to put you through my own versions of Sexual Harassment training, Diversity training, Workplace Violence training, Ethics training and probably some remedial Math (cause math is hard!). Then we can discuss the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator dress code. You also need to start thinking about what you will be doing for Regional Coordinator Appreciation Month (August is coming!). I'll need you to submit your schedule to me because I'll be volunteering you to represent me at several volunteer organizations I (meaning you) have joined. Those 10 Habitat for Humanity homes aren't going to build themselves!

Sorry, Doug. This list is wildly inappropriate.

You should obviously start with the dress code.

Bunny slippers should be a must.

Scribbling Rambler wrote:

Doug Doug wrote:

Kyle Baird wrote:

Doug Doug wrote:

You should apply.

LOL! Not a chance. I was just looking for a reaction out of the world's only TRUE 5 star GM.

Kyle, if I am selected I will make you the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator. Of course, I will need to put you through my own versions of Sexual Harassment training, Diversity training, Workplace Violence training, Ethics training and probably some remedial Math (cause math is hard!). Then we can discuss the Assistant to the Regional Coordinator dress code. You also need to start thinking about what you will be doing for Regional Coordinator Appreciation Month (August is coming!). I'll need you to submit your schedule to me because I'll be volunteering you to represent me at several volunteer organizations I (meaning you) have joined. Those 10 Habitat for Humanity homes aren't going to build themselves!

Sorry, Doug. This list is wildly inappropriate.

You should obviously start with the dress code.

Bunny slippers should be a must.

Why stop at slippers?? There have to be full bunny costumes out there somewhere... he can bring all the good little boy and girl gamers baskets of candy :D

In fact, this is how the system is going to work. The LA coordinator, for example, would essentially be the local (non-official) me and would be the point of contact for all conventions, game days, and so on in that region. Since part of the job is building and organizing local volunteers, it naturally follows that the coordinator for a given region should use those volunteers to assist locally. :-)

Talking specifically San Francisco. Are we talking about just the city of San Francisco or the entire San Francisco Bay Area?

What if one can't go to GenCon or PaizoCon?

As coodinator/staff for several cons in the area as well as having a professional (if one can call the gaming environment, professional) relationship with a number of stores/venues in my area, one would think I could handle the 'duties', but that inventory part of the contract might be a little too much, even for me. Plus, four slots of PaizoCon IS PaizoCon.

stephan kendall

RPGA/PFS Pacificon
RPGA/PFS KublaCon
RPGA/ PFS yada yada yada