User:Uberhill/sandbox

The Geek Partnership Society (GPS) is a nonprofit social organization for the Minneapolis/St. Paul geek community. GPS sponsors events and clubs year round including the Team Trivia Challenge, a Writing Contest, Read-the-Book/See-the-Movie, and various other social clubs.

Mission
Growing out of the tradition of volunteerism in science fiction fandom and its conventions, GPS was created to foster year-round programs and to establish a permanent, physical presence in the community. The growing consciousness of geek culture provided the impetus to focus the organization towards serving that culture as a defined segment of larger, society. Their mission statement reads:

"'We are a society celebrating imagination, inspiring creativity and building our community through service and education.'"

History
The organization was founded in 1998 as MiSFiTS (an acronym for Minnesota Society for Interest in Science Fiction and Fantasy) to provide community programs and serve as the parent corporation for the CONvergence speculative fiction convention. At the beginning of 2010, Convergence Events was formed as an independent organization and assumed control of the convention itself. Later that year, the organization changed its name to Geek Partnership Society, frequently referred to simply as "GPS". Convergence Events remains a program partner and major supporter of GPS and its programs. (Note from Duncan: this is confusing - if Convergence Events changed its name to GPS, how is an organization called Convergence Events still around?)

Programs
Sponsored clubs include those focusing on various geeky interests such as anime and speculative fiction-based books and film. Among the more unusual offerings is a program called Geek Physique, with geek-themed fitness events.

Major events include a quarterly community forum, trivia contest, scavenger hunts, and a geek prom.

Charitable work
GPS sponsors the Mark Time Awards, an annual writing contest awarding a scholarship for students to the Space Camp.

Event Horizon
The idea of a dedicated facility to host events, programs and meetings had been discussed in the local community for many years. Programs in Los Angeles and Boston have managed to create and support small facilities, which inspired GPS to pursue such a program. With financial support from Convergence Events and Anime Twin Cities, GPS signed a lease on 5,000+ feet of event, storage and office space in the arts district of northeast Minneapolis.

In addition to providing office and support space for GPS and its partners, Event Horizon is a venue for events related to science-fiction, fantasy and other geek-related topics.