Archon 31

History of the Heinlein Societyand the Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Blood DrivesRobert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) wasknown as the “Dean of Science Fiction Writers”, but he wasmuch more. He was a philanthropist who helped manycharitable causes and individuals. When asked how he couldbe repaid for his help, he would reply, “You can’t pay me back,you have to pay it forward.”One cause that was of great importance to him was blooddonation. Having a rare blood type himself (AB+), he was afrequent donor and a supporter of the National Rare BloodClub, which was an integral part of his novel I Will Fear No Evil.In 1976, at the 34th World Science Fiction Convention inKansas City, he helped to organize the first of many sciencefiction convention blood drives. The Heinlein Society wasformed in 2000 to preserve the legacy of Robert Heinlein by“paying it forward.”One of the ways we are doing this is by promoting blooddonation around the world. We began by our efforts with aninternet blood drive, encouraging fans to donate at their localblood banks and send their names to us to be entered into ourhonor roll and presented to the late Mrs. Virginia Heinlein. Thatdrive continues annually in her absence.In 2001, at the 59th World Science Fiction Convention inPhiladelphia, the Society sponsored its first on site blood drive,with the Red Cross collecting 60 units of blood. In the 6 yearssince then we have sponsored more than 50 drives, generatingmore than 2,000 units of blood and saving potentiallythousands of lives.Each donor at our drives (and at many other drives thatrequest them) receives a cloisonné pin that was designed byMr. Heinlein for that first World Con blood drive in Kansas Cityas ourway of saying, “Thank you for helping.”The Heinlein Society has also:• Established programs to place the books of Robert Heinleinin libraries everywhere, especially in school libraries where hisjuvenile novels may continue to help to form character andprovoke critical and intelligent thinking among our youngpeople.• Award scholarships and grants to worthy young people assistin disseminating the works of Robert Heinlein into newlanguagesand formats.• Explore the possibility of accurate and true to book renditionsof Robert Heinlein's stories to film and other media.• Promote scholarly research and overall discussion of theworks and ideasof Robert HeinleinYou can learn more about Robert Heinlein and the HeinleinSociety at www.heinleinsociety.orgArchon would like to thankGene-Del Printing, Incfor the production and printing of this programbook and other of Archon’s print needs.9019 ManchesterBrentwood, MO 63144Phone: 314-962-4750 / Fax: 314-962-6563http://www.genedel.com/JOHN L. SIES“The Artczar”• Illustrations• Cartoons• Digital Art• Web Site Design• Creative Consulting• Program Book Designand more...http://www.artczar.org217-245-4659 M-F, 8-6email: artczar@artczar.org68We hope to see you next year,for more magic atArchon 32!Art : John Kaufman