Today’s blog is going to be a little different. As Executive Director, one of the most inspiring parts of my job is hearing directors express in their own words why they choose to direct for the CoCo. Directing can be a lot of work, and these people have selflessly chosen to devote their time and energy to running tournaments for our community. Many of their reasons for doing so moved me, and I’m excited to share them with you. 

Here is what several of our directors said about why they decided to direct for the CoCo: 

• Zachary Dang: “This community has provided so much for me over the last 10 years, and I appreciate the hard work other directors have put in. I would like to contribute by directing or organizing. I also would like to see the DC CoCo scene grow, and for that to happen there needs to be a steady supply of local tournaments/clubs.”

• David Whitley: “I enjoy directing, and I want to contribute my talents to the CoCo. Among Collins players, I'm probably the most experienced director in Southern California, so if we want to have tournaments here, I need to step up.”

• Mark Francillon: “You'd think that the Northeast would be a natural place for Collins tournament play to thrive. I'd like to help make that happen, in the context of a democratic and transparent organization.”

• Marty Gold: “Good organization doing good work to expand the Scrabble community.”

• James Curley: “Because people should come and enjoy Scrabble in Austin. They should come and play Collins Scrabble for an organization that has good values.”

• Rob Robinsky: “I would like to work with an organization that actively promotes Collins play rather than tolerates it, and appreciate that CoCo also seeks alignment with the greater Scrabbling world through WESPA policies.”

• Steve Pellinen: “I often end up doing things because someone has to do them, and I'm capable and able to do them. I like CoCo's approach to the game and the emphasis on Collins play.”

• Peter Armstrong: “I would like to increase opportunities for people to play in CSW Scrabble tournaments. I would like to provide high-quality experiences for people looking to participate in CSW tourneys.”

• Mike Johnson: “I want to increase access to Collins play in North America, and am excited by CoCo's energy for moving the North American Collins Scrabble community forward."

• Allison Anderson: “'I’ve spent 8+ years as a friend to the Scrabble scene without having any official capacity. I would like to be able to be more involved in the community which now includes many people I consider friends as well as Will.”

• Josh Ryks-Robinsky: “As a non-player married to a Scrabble player, I'm often at these events and have the ability to assist in directing without causing a player to have to both direct and play.”

• Becky Dyer: “We have rarely, in the past, had a Collins division of any tournament in Austin, Texas, and when we do it is very small. As an active Collins tournament player I would love to have a Collins-only tournament here and encourage a larger group of players to join us, to enhance competitive opportunities in our area.”

• Lindsay Shin: “I'm excited to be involved in Scrabble tournaments, when I am unable to play. I am happy to direct my first Coco/WGPO Crescent City Cup!”

• Conrad Bassett-Bouchard: “Because my name starts with Co.”

There are a few themes you’ll see among these quotes. A major one is a shared sense of values. The vast majority of directors who join the CoCo do so because the CoCo’s values matter to them. They want to grow the game. They want to foster democracy and accountability to the players. They want to create the best player experiences on the continent. They strive to be innovative, and they’re willing to leverage technology to make that possible. 

It’s easy to fall back on old methods and run tournaments the same way they’ve operated for the past ten years. What our directors have shown is a willingness to improve the tournament experience by daring to try new approaches, new venues, new recruitment strategies, new live stream techniques, and more. After all - if we never try, how can we possibly expect to transform the player experience for the better?

Beyond values, a second theme that emerged is a sense of personal responsibility and a desire to give back. Most of our directors are players, and have gained heartfelt friendships and positive experiences from years of Scrabble play. They began directing out of a motivation to give back to the community that gave them so much. In some cases, they have focused on building tournaments to strengthen their local Scrabble scene. They see themselves as empowered agents of change, helping to create the community they want to see in the world of Scrabble. We love that they feel that way, and have focused on developing the tools, resources, and training to support them as directors. 

A third theme, and one that many directors have expressed more explicitly, is their desire to be part of an organization that acts in the best interests of its community. For many, that means not just a commitment to democracy, but also a commitment to fostering playing environments where players and directors feel supported. The CoCo has an Anti-Harassment policy and complementary policies regarding player conduct, bullying, and privacy for a reason. We believe that players shouldn’t have to choose between their safety or security and their love of Scrabble. Many of our directors share that belief and are committed to making CoCo events warm and welcoming.

The world we inhabit is far from perfect, and there are times when many of us feel powerless to influence the forces and pressures that surround us. Yet one tournament at a time, in this one small corner of society, our directors have shown that individuals do have the power to shape the Scrabble community into the one it deserves to be. Directors and organizers are putting sweat and love into making fun tournaments possible for our players. More importantly, they’re creating an environment that is consistent with the CoCo’s goals to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all players.

If you care about the future of Scrabble, if you care about growing the game, if you care about giving back to a game that has given you moments of wonder and joy and friendships and fun - consider what might be within your power. Maybe you have time that you’re willing to volunteer. Maybe you’re a coder and have skills you can contribute. Maybe you have a few dollars you can donate to keep us going. Consider what you stand for and who you want to stand with. If our directors’ values and the CoCo’s mission resonate with you, we welcome your help in making this community as strong as it can be.