Helix Nebula

Choosing Meeting Topics

We have experimented with a variety of ways of choosing meeting topics over the years. Our objective is to make the process both fair and efficient. We tinker with the process regularly so if you have suggestions to improve it, please say so.

When Are Topics Chosen?

At present, topics for the regularly scheduled SFL meetings are chosen by means of regular planning meetings, which take place during the Club Business portion of our June and December monthly meetings. At the June meeting, we choose the topics which will be presented from the following September through February, inclusive. At the December meeting, we choose the topics which will be presented from the following March through August, inclusive.

What Topics Can Be Chosen?

The topics which we discuss are typically books or movies from the Science Fiction or Fantasy genres. We also have "theme" meetings on occasion: instead of discussing a specific book, we discuss a theme like "The Future of Space Travel". We like to think that we are flexible enough to try something different so we will entertain suggestions for other forms of meetings and other ways to look at a topic.

What Is the Selection Process?

Anyone attending the meeting, in person or remotely, can propose as many book, film or theme topics as they like. It is not necessary that anyone in the room, including the person making the nomination, has read the book or seen the film that they are nominating. However, topics that have not been read or seen and found worthy are less likely to receive votes than those which have.

When there are no more proposals to be added to the list, the proposer delivers a brief synopsis of the topic so that everyone has some basis for deciding if they think that it would make an interesting topic. In each case, the topic should satisfy all of the following criteria:

• Someone in the club must be willing and able to present the topic. The presenter and the nominator can be different people. Either an individual or a group of individuals can present the topic. The presenter(s) can make the presentation "in person" or remotely.
• The work (book, movie, or whatever) is "readily available". The criteria necessary to be considered "readily available" are covered in some detail on these pages: Availability of Books and Availability of Films. We strongly recommend that the proposer verify the availability of the work prior to the planning session.
• The topic should be one which has not been presented recently at SFL, where "recently" is defined as within the past 24 months. Exceptions to this rule may be made if the presenter can convince the members that he or she has a new and different approach to the work than that which was seen in the last SFL discussion of the work in question.

After the list has been pared down by means of the conditions above, members decide which of the topics on the list will be presented in the coming meetings. Typically, we vote with a show of hands to determine the most appealing topics and then schedule the most popular topics into the available meeting slots. Each person can cast a single vote for each of the topics that they think are most worthwhile. The six topics with the most votes are selected to be presented. In the event of ties, runoff votes are held.

How Can Topics Be Proposed Prior to Planning Sessions?

Any active member of the club wishing to propose meeting topics prior to the semi-annual planning sessions can do so via the following forms:

Please note that if you want to do two related topics, such as the book and movie versions of a given story, you will need to complete one form for each of the related topics. In that case, please put a check in the box that asks whether you have a related topic on both of the forms that you complete. That will help us remember that there are two related topics to be considered together.

You can see a list of all topic proposals which are pending for discussion at the next topic selection session.