Ni hao!

(a/k/a Greetings and Hihi!)

CSTS 2009… can you imagine it? It’s just around the corner and the time for us to start preparing is now. I am excited to be working with each and every one of you who care to join me in making 2009 a rousing success.

Challenges were thrown at us in 2008, and even a little controversy. Yet Browncoats came together, dug in and made a miracle happen yet again. Because that’s what it means to be a Browncoat, isn’t it? To look outside the box and work it until we find solutions and fix what’s “broke” so we can move onward to our next destination and complete that next important goal. For all of you who worked hard to do good in 2008, I salute you. You not only made it work, you inspired people like me to take a chance to do good in the ‘Verse. And what does this good amount to? Not only has more awareness been raised about Equality Now, it looks like when all is said and done there will be at least $100,000 shiny new dollars donated to Equality Now; each dollar a chance for hope, education and salvation.

We have a challenge this coming year because the economy is a bit shaky. This means money is tight and people have to rethink what they can budget for and spend their hard earned cash on. Unfortunately, this lack of stability doesn’t affect the plight of women who still suffer all over the world. Equality Now is their “beacon in the wilderness” to shine light on the darkness which threatens our global sisters, mothers and daughters. Therefore, that’s where y’all step in. The Browncoats, and all those who support CSTS, need to band together even tighter and use that “fight for right” attitude to obtain the high ground and hold it. There is no power in this ‘Verse that can keep our signal quiet.

Exciting bonuses came in 2008. We obtained our first lifetime global sponsor in QMx, (whooot!), we saw new venues open, new ways to host events, the Bedlam Bards put themselves forward to help raise a chunk of change and we found new sponsors to give our shindigs that extra oomph. However, this year we need to do more and for that we need you. We need to build on the sturdy foundation we’ve been left by Beth and the others amazing GOs in previous years. We need to encourage new venues and sponsors, and we need to help each other make that dream of $155,000 happen in 2009.

I know I can count on each of you to help make CSTS 2009 even shinier, so we can fly even higher than we ever have before. Join up in the forums now if you haven’t already and please be sure to bring your humor and festiveness as well as your creative ideas when you come onboard. Every voice is important, be you a veteran or someone on their first flight. I will be posting many things on the forums and I want to meet all of you as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for all the hard work and enthusiasm you will be giving in order to make a difference in the world.

Together we can make 2009 a year to remember.

Keep flyin’ high and stay shiny…

Anne Barringer
2009 Can’t Stop the Serenity Global Organizer
anne@cantstoptheserenity.com