I agree with the above words. For me personally, this would have been the first time I participate in the awards. I made an account on the site last summer but didn't get a chance to do anything more due to RL. I would have loved to experience an awards just once, at least. The recent events going on is a little disheartening to witness.

Evolving the MEFAs seem to be the best idea. A new panel can easily work out how the next round should be that will be truly inclusive. Categories are fine, if it helps for readers to determine what they wish to read and not read, and so long as no one's story is disqualified. Plus, the full fic info is usually given on sites where the fic is hosted. People can decide on what they want to read.

I would like to see the MEFAs exchange hands. Perhaps the current round can still run, since the panel already have things ready to start the new round, but during the round they can accept the new owners, just to slowly bring them into the scene, show them the ropes so to speak, and eventually take command of the community. I won't mind a new awards community either, but I wonder if something like MEFAs, with such a long history, is better to be adopted since so many fans know about it.

Either way, with the fandom most likely becoming more active again after December, I think the new members should have a nice awards community to take part in and enjoy.