Austin Browncoats

About the Austin Browncoats

Austin Browncoats, founded in 2007, is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt non-profit located in Austin, TX. Austin Browncoats work to end violence and discrimination in all sectors of society. We place special focus on working alongside young women and children because, given the opportunity and proper education, young women and children can help create a better world for all beings. Much like our passion for the amazing works of Joss Whedon, such as "Firefly", we are passionate about our causes and raising funds for our charities, including Equality Now, SafePlace, Heart House and Emancipet.

About Firefly and Serenity

Firefly is an short-lived space western television series created by writer/director/actor Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel). It premiered in 2002 on FOX, and was canceled after only 11 of the then 14 completed episodes had aired. Despite Firefly's short life span, its every growing fan base campaigned to try and save the ill-fated series, and later to get the show released on DVD. Browncoats, what Firefly and Serenity fans are lovingly called, have consistently kept the DVD box set in the Amazon.com Top 25. The DVD sales, as well as active fan base, led Universal and Joss Whedon to produce a film, in 2005, based on the series, Serenity. Even though the "Big Damn Movie" received rave reviews from most critics, Serenity did not perform well at the box office. This has not stopped fans, though; Many started viewing Serenity on the Big Screen again for Can't Stop The Serenity (one of the many Browncoat charity movements).

Browncoats are all over the world, and work together to not only create fan events, like The Browncoat Ball, but also run charitable events, like Can't Stop The Serenity. The Browncoats champion a number of charities, including Equality Now and Kids Need To Read.

Austin Browncoats Public Documents

Austin Browncoats Bios

Beth Nelson, Chairman

My name is Beth and I have been a Whedonite from before I knew he existed. Some of my favorite episodes of the TV show, "Roseanne," were written by Joss. I was completely converted in 1997 when the show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" hit the airwaves. While I wasn't instantly an "Angel" fan, my love of Joss' work grew immensely when I first saw "Firefly". It was like a brand new love affair. And because of Spike, I recently decided to fall in love with "Angel", as well.

I am the Chairman of the Austin Browncoats, as well as the Chairman of the 2008 Browncoat Ball committee and the Global Organizer for 2008's Can't Stop The Serenity. I head the most talented and loving group of Browncoats you will ever meet. This is a privilege – to work with such amazing people and get to call them my friends – this is the best job in the world!

My passion for doing good works started at a young age in New York City. I was working at the Prince Street Soup Kitchen when I was told they needed someone to take on a leadership role. The job would entail scheduling volunteers, looking/begging for companies to donate food for us beyond the food we bought with money from the city and making sure that all the food being cooked was timed and scheduled to work with our rush hours. I was 14 years old and thought it would be great fun to get involved and "manage" something like this. Well, I was right - it was great fun. I got to hang out with my friends, joke around and cook food. But, what it really was – rewarding. In more ways than the social ones. I was able to help people that were struggling to help themselves. I was able to help keep people's hope alive because once the food runs out, many options do as well. This led to years of volunteer work and years of this passion growing. Now, we believe that we can better the world one shindig at a time. And we will because we're Austin! We're Browncoats! And we aim to misbehave! (With the best intentions, of course!)

Jennifer Henderson, Vice Chair

I am the Vice Chair of the Austin Browncoats, as well as Assistant Global Organizer for the Can’t Stop the Serenity, and Media and Entertainment Coordinator for the 2008 Browncoat Ball.

I became a Firefly fan right before the movie Serenity was first released in theaters. Two good friends of mine were avid Buffy and Angel fans, and had suggested I see Firefly. In fact they insisted I see the entire series before I see the film. While I’m glad I did see them in that order, I think anyone would become a fan of the show no matter which they saw first. I first became a fan of the show itself, then the Austin Browncoats. I believe this is a great organization with the very best of intentions to help make this world a better place by helping others in need.

I have been volunteering, coordinating, marketing and fundraising for over 11 years. I worked for a marketing company for 10 of those years, first as a field demonstrator in the Houston area, then later as the Chief Marketing Coordinator for the Austin branch. I have over 10 years of experience in the communication industry, from live theatre, to video and print. I have over 8 years in the finance, accounting, and banking industries in varying roles, from Portfolio Administrator to Direct Business Processor. I have been Team Captain and Chief Fundraising and Volunteer Coordinator for company participation in events for several local and national charities for over 7 years.

I’m glad you all are here, and I hope to see you at our next local or national gathering.

Claudia Drinovsky, Secretary

Hi, my name is Claudia and I'm originally from Switzerland, but have lived in Austin since 1995. I am married to Steve and we have two kids, Anika and Lars.

Firefly… where to start? We were pretty disappointed when it got canceled, but when Serenity came out I found out that there was a whole fan base called the Browncoats. I joined the forums and then got involved with the first LoneStar Shindig in '05. After that life took over and I haven't been as involved as I would have liked to be, but recently I started to be more active in the Austin Browncoat community again and I enjoy it very much. I am very honored to be on the Board of Directors and will do my best to fulfill my position as Secretary.

I love to scrapbook and sew, and cooking healthy is one of my big passions!

Ryan M. Campbell, Treasurer

I am a native Texan and have lived in Austin since 2001. I live here with my nameless cat. My other interests include Longhorn sports, video games, and bad action movies. My other Sci-Fi/Space Western favorites include Star Wars and Farscape. While in college, I had the privilege to become a leader in Sigma Nu Fraternity where, in addition to developing a wealth of skills and expertise in running an organization, I made lifelong friends with some truly great people.

As a late comer to the phenomenon of Firefly, I was pleased to find a group of active Browncoats in Austin. After some time I saw just how dynamic this group of fans truly was, and began to explore ways I could get more involved. I volunteered my services which allowed me to take an active role in the Austin Browncoats. Other than my position as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Austin Browncoats, I serve as an administrator for the Austin Browncoats Forum and the Can't Stop the Serenity Forum. I am also heading The Signalers track of the Browncoat Ball. I am fortunate that I have the opportunity to help lead this fine organization of great people as we try to better our own 'verse and have fun along the way.

Sam Bird, Webmaster

Wow! I can't believe I conned these guys into letting me be the webmaster! Well, before these fine folks come to their senses, I figured I'd tell you a bit about myself:

I'm your classic sci-fi geek. I love Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, Star [insert some random noun]. So while I never had the privilege of seeing Firefly when it originally aired, I rented it as soon as I could through Netflix. I soon found myself waiting by the mailbox every weekend for the next DVD! Obviously, joining the Austin Browncoats was the next step.

Since joining, I've had a ball with this club. They are always having shindigs, and it is always something cool & fun. In the short time I've been in the club, I've seen them do everything from a group field trip to Texas Renaissance Festival, to Blazer Tag, to Karaoke (and surprisingly they didn't throw me out after hearing me sing). Profits they make go to charity, so how can you lose with such a group?

Colophon

Original written content by Beth, Josh, and the Austin Browncoats.

Austin Browncoats logo by Will.

HTML and CSS wrangling by Josh, Sam, Beth and Becky based on original CSS template by Andreas Viklund.

Questions regarding this site can be directed to the Webmaster.

This site is not affiliated with Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Joss Whedon, or any other entity. This is a non-profit fan organization site. All images are the property of Austin Browncoats or their respective owner.