It’s always inspiring to meet the incredible people who take on the role of the Can’t Stop the Serenity Global Events Coordinator each year. And for the past two years, that fine outstanding citizen has been one William Pace. It’s been a delight to have William as our “Captain” for the past two years, and it is with sadness that we see him leave the role. However, we wish him the best with his new little Browncoat-in-Training needing the lions share of his attention! Thank you William! As he says farewell to his term as GEC, we asked him what made him put up his hand.
First, to understand why I’m here, you have to understand why I’m a Browncoat.
I’m one of the rare ‘first fans’ that tuned in to watch Firefly when the series debuted with ‘Train Job’. That also makes me one of the first people to be both confused and intrigued by the strange formatting of the pilot episode (owing to the broadcast order). Still, when the first commercial break hit I found that I liked it enough to keep on watching.
Thirty minutes later…Mal pushed Crow through the engine.
That was it. I was hooked. When my wife came home from dance rehearsals I was babbling about this guy putting this other guy through a turbine and how it was the coolest thing ever. She smiled, raised an eyebrow and said, ‘Okay.’ A few years later when she watched the whole series on DVD, she finally understood the context and my excitement about the best series ever to be cancelled mid-season.
Then in 2008 I found Can’t Stop the Serenity. I was delving into my obsession with Firefly more than ever; building props, attending Firefly themed parties, and hobnobbing with people who had worked or rubbed shoulders with the Big Damn Heroes, so when I found the Utah Browncoats Yahoo group and learned that no one was taking the helm for CSTS in Salt Lake, I volunteered, serving alongside Nicole Dowland. Later I ran affiliate events in Logan, Utah for three years back to back.
In 2011, I saw the opportunity to take the helm of CSTS globally, which I jumped on immediately. It was the chance of a lifetime to head up something this important. It also allowed me an unparalleled opportunity to meet fellow Browncoats the world over, both in 2011 and 2012.
The position of Global Event Coordinator is a challenging and rewarding role that affords a volunteer the chance to make new friends, give input on a worldwide scale and fight the good fight. As the Global Event Coordinators before me, I was able to roll up my sleeves and fight for victims of slavery, sex-trafficking, and many other injustices from a place of support and in the good company of fellow volunteers. It’s also been my pleasure to serve with two great global teams, comprising some of the same individuals. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.
If you’ve got the drive and passion for the ‘verse and a love of Can’t Stop the Serenity, why not consider rising to the challenge for 2013?
