Hi Rick,

Allow me 2 cents in this discussion.

As I recall, the first awards were decided by Ken with, I believe, some diverse feedback from all walks.

Personally, I'm uncomfortable with "Lifetime Achievement" as the title and have always felt it should be "Special Achievement" ... makes it more flexible for recognition. But that's just my own semantical hang-up.

As to former Fox Team members involved in the decision...speaking as one, I would *not* want to be in the decision loop. Why? Because I am no where near as involved in the community or the product as I used to be and you guys are so much better informed. My opinion would be of little use.

I have no problem with the list of recipients and I agree that there are other folks deserving still unrecognized. I also have faith in the integrity of YAG, Ken, you, and others involved in these awards and trust you guys judgment as I have had no reason to question it so far and others shouldn't either.

OK, off da' soapbox now. :-)

>>But how does that translate to "ownership" of a community award? And why should there be a battle about it? Perhaps you'd think differently if Kevin Goff and Rod Paddock had given themselves the right to hand out VFP Community Lifetime Achievement awards and had selected John Pedersen for the ultimate platinum version. Please accept that objections are to the *process*, not an attack on the recipients.
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>John, seriously I ask: where do you get this is my award to give, or that I own the award? Did I stake this claim somewhere? Is the reason the fact that it was handed out at SWF 2007? If so, please note it was handed out at GLGDW twice, SWF twice, and Germany once. Please note that this award was handed out by Ken Levy three times, Doug Hennig once, and Alan Griver once. Not Rick Schummer.
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>The only thing I did with this award is ask Microsoft (who handed out the first two) to consider doing it again at Southwest Fox 2006. It is something special started by Ken Levy and something I was hoping would continue. Ken Levy agreed to do so. This year we consulted Microsoft to do the same thing at SWF 2007 and I was told no one from Microsoft was going to attend the conference. So we had a prior award recipient hand it out to the newest one. The *only* thing I did on my own was come up with some glass, out of my own pocket, so the award recipients would have something for their desk/mantles. This was not a Rick Schummer picks the awardee. I do however agree with all the selected people involved and also feel there are plenty of individuals who are potential award winners in the future.
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>As to Rainer's award, I was asked to make another award if it was possible so he could be awarded in Germany. Again, if you have all the information before you come to a conclusion you might come to a different conclusion.
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>Moving forward there is no Fox Team to consult on the award, therefore some discussion was held on how it will be determined in the future if another one is handed out. I think this is something the current award winners should be discussing along with some other leaders in the community, including former Fox Team members. Individuals who understand the history of the community.
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>>For my part, if the community wants to hand out lifetime community awards we may prefer them to go to people like Ed Rauh or Drew Speedie whose "lifetime" contributions are eternal, but I have no intention of "battling" to have my opinion heard. So you go ahead and run your "community" award your own way, and I'm sure it will have the impact it deserves.
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>Drew and Ed would certainly be on anyone's list for award recipients. I don't think there would be any argument there. I would also say that Rick, Whil, Doug, Tamar, and Rainer have the same qualities and attributes in the candidates others have suggested for future awardees. Personally I can think of 10 or 12 more people who have made the same level of contributions to the community over the last 20+ years. Maybe it is just a matter of time before all those who deserve the award will be awarded with it. I hope to contribute by continuing to get the glass made so the can have something permanent to remember it by.
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>I just refuse to be involved in anything that would taint such an accomplishment achieved by those who have given so much to the community. I hope this clears up any misconceptions you may have about this subject.