Brian “Kurst” Mogged

[MnFurs Election Committee]

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Brian Mogged you can call me Kurst, and I am a furry long enough that one my fursuits can apply for a learner’s permit.

I am not going to go as into detail about my past as I did in 2015 when I was running for the board. You can read that historical version here https://www.mnfurs.org/forums/topic/brian-kurst-mogged/ to see how I have evolved as a person through the years.

But the more important thing is that I have been involved with the furry fandom and fandoms in general since the BBS days. I was around during the first BBQs and proto groups of Minnesota Furs in the late 90s. Even though I went to events and talked with people, I didn’t consider myself a VERY active member of the Minnesota Furs local community until 2005. During that time I served in various volunteer roles including website development, social media, events planning, and treasury. I was fortunate enough to be around friends and talented people that helped make Minnesota Furs a 501c3 non-profit. From there, in 2012-2016, I was the Treasurer on the MNFurs board and a board member. I stepped down from that in 2016 to lead Furry Migration as the convention chair. Then in 2019, after serving as the convention chair for 3 years, I stepped back from leadership responsibilities at the advice of friends and board members, because they wanted me to take time for myself.

During the pandemic, I reconnected online, getting back together with international furry groups online but realized how much I missed volunteering and helping to solve problems in person. While there have been some events I’m able to attend, it just happens that I haven’t been able to be around for everything.

My professional background provides useful skills – I have degrees in Computer Science and Business and years of experience managing projects and teams.

But personally for hobbies and skills, I personally view that while you need to remember the past, you need to reinvent and evolve yourself every few years. I love enjoying comics, films, cartoons. But I’m also a big fan of games of any type – video games, board games, RPGs. I have a ton of gaming hardware… I also love amusement parks and especially theme parks. Themes interest me and seeing the craft of how to build a new reality for people to visit amazes me.

When I get curious about something I go do it or find an alternative. While because of limitations I never could act, I find fursuiting helps scratch that itch. I also found photography as an outlet because limitations prevented me from taking art the way I wanted. I wanted to know more about comics, so I helped as an editor, letter setter, comic writer, and layout artist on published comics.

And for those that don’t know me well, my main fursona is a curious coyote, a bit shy but also crafty and caring. I’ve always viewed that as a reflection of me. I feel a kinship with anthropomorphic characters fighting to balance animal instincts and human qualities.

 

What brought you to the furry fandom?

Honestly it’s a hard question because I didn’t think I was actively “brought” to the furry fandom. I just found myself immersed in it as it developed around me over time. I found online people who were creative like me, and we were suddenly free to connect and express ourselves. We created platforms for others with similar interests to find each other. I’ve seen waves and changes sweep through the community, and simply followed them.

But a different way of framing it – why have you stayed in the furry fandom? For the people, creativity, and friendships it fosters. I love that we comprise a group of wonderfully diverse shapes and ideas. We have the freedom to create without limiting ourselves to any one archetype or creative direction. We can explore and express ourselves fluidly. That open, welcoming spirit keeps me here.

 

How will you continue to volunteer in the community after being elected to the board?

I realize this is asked to demonstrate current involvement and gauge if I will sustain that. As I’ve shared previously, I’m already actively supporting MNFurs in various behind-the-scenes capacities. My aim is to maintain those professional contributions while shifting more of my discretionary volunteer time towards training, mentoring, and ensuring critical systems can be readily adopted by others.

I don’t view board membership as limiting one’s ability to pursue additional community service. However, through this role I hope to multiply my impact by empowering more folks with applicable knowledge and move out of things I volutenteering. My past years volunteering with Minnesota Furs have taught me that I need to evolve into more of a teacher, not just a doer. I want to keep enabling others to carry the organization forward.

 

How do you view events like Furry Migration and Midwinter Frolic impact the Minnesota Furs community today and tomorrow?

These events have been important to nurture. They build organizational skill and hopefully position Minnesota Furs to amount to more than what it started as – a small group of furs wanting something better.

I envision Furry Migration continuing to expand. I also see Midwinter Frolic finding its niche and reaching maximum potential.

My concern is that for many, Furry Migration overshadows the broader mission of Minnesota Furs. It’s critical to reinforce that FM remains a program OF, not the sole purpose FOR, MNFurs. This organization was created to be a year-round community, not exist just for one annual event. Furry Migration is not our endpoint – it should be the springboard enabling Minnesota Furs to pursue new events and initiatives going forward.

I hope the success of FM and Midwinter Frolic does not preclude other events from being organized and growing in their own right. Years ago I was cautioned that the worst thing for MNFurs would be becoming “just that group who runs Furry Migration.” Our marquee cons and events are incredible assets, but must not totally consume the surrounding community.

 

What are your strengths that you will bring to the board?

First of all, I genuinely care about this community and people overall. My hope is for members to find success and for MNFurs to stand out as the premiere furry nonprofit worldwide.

My own prominence doesn’t matter – I want others to lead, not just me at the center of everything. My goal is empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. I don’t need the spotlight for myself when there are so many worthy people that deserve opportunities to shine.

Additionally, I offer substantial leadership experience – I’ve been involved since MNFurs’ founding and attended most Board meetings during my prior and after my tenure. I understand the organization’s history and aim to leverage it for an even brighter future.

I’ve actively pursued extra training in non-profit governance best practices over the past year, adding to existing knowledge from past conferences and workshops. I’m eager to pay that forward through enhanced mentoring and coaching on the Board.

My professional background encompasses business administration, recruiting, law, and HR. While not my favorite boast, I can draw on this well-rounded expertise as needed for guidance.

Finally, through past collaborations I’ve gained first-hand perspective on the needs of creative members and guest artists. My goal is ensuring all feel heard, valued, and supported by our leadership.

Additionally, as a Minnesota resident with reliable transportation, I’m readily available to handle local tasks – picking up mail, filing paperwork, collaborating face-to-face, attending events to represent or support MNFurs. My schedule allows me to be on-site as needed, which complements the remote capabilities I bring through technology and communication skills. I take pride in being present for this community when called upon.

My past tenures as both a leader and staff member within MNFurs have instilled strong convictions – great organizations nurture both new and proven ideas, empower members to reach shared goals, but ultimately are only as strong as how well they support their people. My core belief is that our priority must be sustaining a healthy local community; doing so will only bolster the broader furry fandom as well. I am determined to promote that through my words, actions and leadership principles if selected to represent the community on the Board again. There is always room for one more supportive voice keeping us focused on areas that matter most.

 

What do you feel are areas where you want to further develop yourself? Why?

As an introvert, I want to continue improving at being outgoing and comfortable in front of groups – skills that faded over my time in pandemic isolation.

I also want to expand my circle and diversify my perspectives by proactively spending time with those of very different views. Variety is healthy, though not always easy. Pushing beyond my own worldview opens me up; I aim to embrace that personal growth opportunity.

Finally, as evidenced by this very process, I hope to keep leveling up my public speaking and writing. Board membership will undoubtedly help exercise both communication muscles.

I need to acknowledging my innate introverted tendencies, but striving to remain receptive, relatable, eloquent and approachable whatever the setting. I know there’s always room for me to improve and grow.

 

How can Minnesota Furs reach out to other communities local and national in furry and other fandoms?

We already have involvement with the Furry Convention Leadership Roundtable (FCLR) for establishing best practices across organizations. It’s crucial we remain actively engaged – participating in meetings, volunteering for roles, and sharing our own non-profit formation story to guide others. Pre-pandemic we had members physically attending gatherings; virtually staying connected must be the focus now.

Locally, we had previously worked towards facilitating informal meetups and idea exchanges between regional group leaders. With staff turnover in recent years, that outreach faded along with in-person options. Reviving a local roundtable would allow mutually beneficial networking on issues unique to our geography. Post-COVID, such cooperation could ultimately enable pooling event resources between associations.

Documenting and publicizing the formalization of our own charity would also offer a roadmap for other fan communities. We have hard-won experience to share. Consistent evangelizing through any venue – online forums, convention panels, local publishers – allows us to lead by example and maybe bring more groups into the formalized fold.

 

What are two things that you would like to see accomplished/improved during your tenure?

Rather than default goals like more volunteers or events, I’ll highlight two deeper priorities:

1. Establishing a long-term scholarship or grant program fitting our charter’s educational/community service vision. We wrote of developing this within 5-10 years back at our founding, but have yet to deliver. Other nonprofits fund experiences like space camp for youth or cultural exchanges – we have ample options for encouraging art, writing, music, nature studies, etc. I want us to finally make good on enabling such enrichment opportunities.
2. Documenting and sharing the full, multidimensional history of MNFurs and our community – not just through one lens, but welcoming diverse voices from across fandoms. This organization exists due to the combined efforts of planners, gamers, artists, writers and fans of all types. We need to educate new members about what built this foundation while they can still learn directly from those involved. Combined with deeper training on nonprofit governance, such knowledge transfer is key for the next generation to carry the torch.
3. The common theme is leveraging our maturity as an organization to foster education – both funding it for others and preserving/teaching our own story. I’m committed to making tangible strides on both fronts over the next term.

 

One goal of MNFurs is to promote education. How do you intend on helping promote education?

Our goal is to educate both the furry community and the general public about our culture and our place in society. I believe that standard methods like hosting educational programming at

our events and conventions, creating online training videos, and running online and offline contests for art (including physical, digital, and photography), writing, and crafting with prizes based on skill and category are essential. However, I also think it’s crucial to focus on preserving our artistic traditions in the coming years. We want to encourage people to continue developing their physical artistic skills, particularly in painting and sculpting. Even if it means sponsoring and hiring a teacher to lead workshops, we should make it a priority.

I also propose establishing an art gallery of all kinds at one of our events. Even if the artwork isn’t for sale, this old-fashioned concept is still important for showcasing the talents of our fandom. It’s not about making money or saving time; it’s about showcasing our abilities and allowing others to do the same. We lack that element of discovery. We can establish a quarterly ‘Local Artist of the Quarter’ award and feature the artist, writer, or talent at an event or in our online gallery. I firmly believe that we have a lot of potential in this area. Without an active organization, I fear that we may lose this essential aspect of furry culture.

 

In closing – I want to contribute my skills and experience to help Minnesota Furs finish ongoing projects while continuing to expand impact and purpose as a non-profit organization. That drive is why I’m pursuing another term on the Board.

Even more importantly, I care deeply about this community. My core aim is supporting thriving events, fostering new connections, and preserving the inclusive environment that makes Minnesota Furs a welcoming home for all.

I appreciate your consideration and hope I can soon directly serve this exceptional community once again.

[Author]

Posts