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Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Arlington, VA 22202
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November 15, 2020: Year 11; Edition 23 |
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THANKS FOR TAKING OUR SURVEY:
As part of NOVA Open planning for 2021, we reached out to the community on November 1 with the first of three surveys. This particular one ran for two weeks and is summarized below.
Special thanks to the 140 people who took time out of their busy lives to weigh in and help us out. Your responses and comments matter. The NOVA Open Executive Board reviewed the synopsis for guidance at its November meeting and several projects were initiated based on those discussions.
RESULTS:
If you don't agree with the overall summary from this survey, mark your calendars and plan to participate on January 1 and March 1 when the next two rounds drop in this newsletter.
In the demographics area, the majority of responders are 20-50, have attended fewer than 4 of our conventions, and are scattered across the U.S., though we were pleasantly surprised by responses from Canada, Spain, Sweden, and Italy. Why you attend NOVA Open events dovetailed our expectations, with one keen observer recommending we add "vendors" to the list next round. In order of importance, responders prioritized reasons for attending as follows: GW Events, Social Activities, Seminars and NOCF charity fundraisers.
Turning to attendee thoughts on attending NOVA Open in September, the majority of responders support a vaccine, masks and social distancing at this time, are undeterred by potential rise in overall costs, would like dining options and are wary of gathering in the Lounge. Comments in this area of the survey spanned the distance between covid concerns and a warm desire to come together at their favorite convention.
The questions pertaining specifically to the various parts of NOVA Open guided discussion about what we must focus on vs. what attendees could do without. Results instruct us to focus on swag bags, vendor hall, Capital Palette, large multi-day tournaments, prize packages and NOCF charity events. The areas of least interest to theses responders include the Lounge, Hobby Haven, trophies and awards, Lemonade Raffle, board games and the final awards ceremony.
Finally, we were overwhelmed and inspired by the closing commentaries pretty much across the board. We received messages of hope and encouragement, kind thoughts and words, and requests to do our level best to bring back an even better NOVA Open than ever. Thank you!
NEXT TEMPERATURE CHECK JANUARY 1:
We expect survey responses may change as we close the gap to September 2021. For this reason, we will circulate this survey to test the community temp again on January 1 and on March 1. As above, participation WILL impact planning. Please mark your calendars and plan to help us out by taking the next two surveys.
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GREAT SPONSOR ~ GREAT KICKSTARTER! |
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Gary Krieger ( FAEIT 212), NOCF Board member, and loyal supporter of NOVA Open since the beginning, has just launched the kickstarter " Revelations and Exodus" for The Genesys Project.
The Genesys Project has been in the NOVA Open vendor hall for a few years, and the table is always active with demos and new friendships as Gary shares the story of this game with our attendees.
Read more about the kickstarter here. And then waste now time heading over to the site ( Revelations and Exodus) and think about making a pledge to help push the kickstarter over its first goal - as only NOVA Open attendees can do! |
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NOVA OPEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION:
THE GAMERS' FOUNDATION
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What this world needs right now is
MORE HEROES!
With LESS THAN 3 weeks remaining until the raffles close, we urge you to don your cape and come to the rescue. Here's why:
- One very unhappy side effect of covid is a significant drop in charitable giving.
- Recent communications with the NOCF primary charities - Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, and Fisher House Foundation - confirm this phenomenon.
- They need us more than ever and this community is in the unique position of being able to help support their programs and prime objectives.
Want to know more about what these amazing charities do around the world? Scroll down to NOCF Missions below.
BE A HERO:
Visit 2020 NOCF Fall Raffles today and demonstrate the outstanding generosity of the tabletop wargaming and hobby community ~ the compassionate force which has raised over $310,000 for these and other deserving charitable organizations. |
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WHY SHOULDN'T YOU OWN A WARLORD TITAN? |
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It's not every day that a serious Warhammer player sits down to contemplate owning a Warlord Titan. How does that go in your head?
- Will the budget handle the cost of the kit?
- What's the average build time on one of these mega-models, anyway?
- Do I have the painting chops and the hundreds of hours needed to do it justice?
- Could I find a renowned commission painter to do the job for me?
- And even if I pull it all off, how will I get it to the game?
It's a big financial and time commitment to be sure! BUT . . .
What if buying tickets to support Doctors Without Borders would give you an actual shot at owning a magnificent Warlord Titan, in his own custom KR wheeled case? It's a raffle, it supports charity, and "how many" tickets you buy is your call and will affect your chances of winning. Where's the downside?!
This extraordinary model was painted by Clay Williams of M3 Paints over the course of several months ~ and the freehand work must cover 3/4 of the Warlord Titan. It is stunning!
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NOCF VIRTUAL "FINAL HOURS" EVENT |
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Friday, DECEMBER 4, 2020
Broadcast will begin at 10:00am EST
Raffle Sales will close at 12:00pm (noon) EST
Winners will be announced live beginning at 12:15pm EST
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"LISTEN" TO THE NARRATIVES |
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Click pdf or video below to begin the narrative!
Chris Stover has written four integrated chapters for NOCF to tie the Miniac Charity Armies together. Read them or click on the video files to hear them as read by Tyler Planto. The other two chapters can be read or viewed in the November 1 newsletter.
Buy tickets and win the army to finish the saga with your friends.
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"WATCH" INTERVIEWS WITH VIPS |
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The NOCF and Paul Murphy are so excited about the Virtual "Final Hours" Event. For the first time ever, NOCF will announce winners live!
We've been busy working behind the scenes with some of the awesome people making the 2020 Fall Raffle Season one of the most successful fundraisers yet:
- Watch Scott "Miniac" Walter talk about how the Miniac Project came to be
- Dan Ozborne, featured last week, continues his conversation with Paul below
- Gutier Lusquinos talks with Paul about the raffle, Operation: Kaldstrom
- "Dr. Bob" Likins reminisces on 11 years of NOVA Open and his role with NOCF
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Long Time Volunteer & Mini Medic
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Scroll to the Footer
Enter your Email Address
Welcome to the Party! Check out the Music Videos, created and posted for all 54 raffles. News delivered straight to your inbox. The feedback we've received on every one has been fun and positive.
Want to catch up on all the news surrounding these raffles? Scroll through the NEWS SECTION and enjoy.
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NOVA Open Charitable Foundation was formed as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2013 to organize the tabletop wargaming community in demonstrating the generosity of this compassionate force. In particular, the NOCF mission is focused on supporting charities dedicated to service and relief for veterans and their families, victims of war and disaster at home and abroad, patients of disease and medical research, as well as other non-profit organizations which fit the mission as determined by the Board of Directors. The NOCF is obligated to ensure, through tools like Charity Navigator, that charitable giving focuses on organizations which spend the vast majority of funds raised on direct support of their programs.
NOCF’s “Primary” Charities are outlined below. They have received focused and significant contributions from the wargamers and hobbyists since 2013:
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (DWB/MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, protect life and health, and to restore respect for human beings and their fundamental human rights. They provide medical care in emergencies, assisting the most vulnerable people in crisis due to conflict.
You can read more about DWB accomplishments, financials, and scores here:
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, works to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $700 million to support research at medical institutions across the globe conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will help lead to prevention and a cure.
BCRF seeks to make breast cancer no longer life-threatening and to eventually eradicate breast cancer altogether through funding innovative clinical and translational research. BCRF supports the broadest portfolio of cancer research possible, supporting the entire spectrum from every angle, from prevention through treatments to survivorship.
You can read more about BCRF accomplishments, financials, and scores here:
FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION
Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 87 comfort homes where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans' families an estimated $500 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation. Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near hospitals.
You can read more about FHF accomplishments, financials, and scores here:
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HOLIDAY SHOP AT AMAZON - SUPPORT NOCF |
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SMILE.AMAZON.COM
Do All Your Holiday Shopping Here!
If you have NOT signed on to support NOCF when you shop Amazon.com, consider doing it today. The holidays are upon us, with more and more shopping online, Amazon makes it easy to give back! Click on the image and become a regular contributor to the Gamer's Charity!
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VENDOR & SPONSOR LOGOS/LINKS
SCROLL DOWN - VISIT OUR PARTNERS TODAY
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Atlantis Games and Comics |
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