Good Evening Members of the Fleet,

As I pondered quietly thinking what to say, I really found it very difficult to find the words to do so.  So, I will just say what I really feel.  

As the incoming President of Battlestar Galactica Fan Club, I never dreamt of running an organization such as this.  I have always been the type to just sit back and do the work behind the scene.  As you all know, the BFC just recently celebrated its 18 years of existence, which is a phenomenal accomplishment.  Clubs, organizations comes and goes, but the BFC is still around after 18 years later and very much alive and kicking well.  

Shawn O'Donnell was the one that recruited me to the BFC. When I first came here, I became the Chief Engineering Officer of Battlestar Tiger Claw, later renamed Battlestar Raven,  of which I later became the Chapter Leader in October of 2012.  Shawn O'Donnell once said to me that he likes that "spunkiness" in me, to help him keep him on his toes. I was like- "Spunkiness! Who me?" So, he appointed me as BFC Deputy Vice President when it was vacated.  And as the saying goes, the rest was history after that.  I began working more closely with Shawn side by side, as time goes by.  He would email me and send me text messages with a TO DO list for the BFC, quite often more than I wanted and expected.   Our first convention appearance together running the BFC Fan Club table was Comicpalooza 2012. I told Shawn that I don't like the character of Tom Zarek because he is such a troublemaker and very devious.  And so Shawn tells me-  "What if I tell you that Richard is nothing like his character Tom Zarek. You will see!  I will introduce you to him.   So, it is here, that another history was made.  He introduce me in person for the first time, to the ever charismatic Captain Apollo but the devious Tom Zarek, Richard Hatch , so I can see for myself, that Richard was nothing like the character of Tom Zarek.  

Upon meeting Richard and interacting with him, I was amaze at Richard's lovable personality and the way he talks about the fans of Battlestar Galactica.  To him, the fans are everything because it is what keeps the faith alive.  Meeting Richard with such an introduction,  would not have been made possible at all for me and  to form such a friendship with him on the side, without Shawn introducing me to him.   We had a lot of fun at that convention and to the many more conventions after that.  And with those good times, also came some bad times, of which I am not going to even explain it here because I don't like dwelling in the past.  Most of you know what they were.  But most will not. The past is the past.  And that is where it will stay.  I am the type that likes to move forward in a positive way. One thing that I can honestly say to all of you is that through the years I have known Shawn, I have known him as the type of leader, that will always stand by his people.  And to quote one of my all time favorite show right now, The Blacklist-

" Value loyalty above all else!"- Raymond Reddington -

Having loyalty is what keeps the bond stronger.  And in doing so, we got through those thick and hard times.  

Shawn was truly a man of passion when it comes to doing what he does for the BFC. Heck, he was doing it for almost 20 years ( back when he had more hair back ).  So when he told me that he was stepping down and turning over the reign to me, I did not know what to say.  All he said to me was - "You will do well and have every confidence in you that you will take it to heights because you are already doing it anyways!"   So Shawn, I thank you for everything you have taught me through the years on the side.  I certainly learned a lot from you and Richard especially teaching me that the fans, is the most important aspect of what we do here at the BFC.  For without the fans, it means nothing.  I can only hope, to carry on the legacy you have set forth for this organization with such a long, rich and honorable history, and make you proud not only as a friend but as a mentor to me alongside Richard, to the best of my ability.

In the next couple of days, I will announce the new BFC Vice President and Deputy Vice Presider along with the new Staff Members of the BFC.  I speak to all them on the side and let them know what my expectations will be to those selected and appointed in those positions.  I will also outline what my hopes and goals for the BFC will be in the future to come.

I thank you all for your time and patience! Take care!

" Keeping the Faith Alive"- So Say We All

Sincerely,

"DragonLady"

President of Battlestar Galactica Fan Club

Website- http://www.battlestarfanclub.com