[Hartwood] Fighters attendance/ event functionality rant.

[K F]

re: nanaimo fighters attendance.  

just for information, and i do not intend to step on toes here, but one of the main reasons fighters don't attend is a lack of transit.  I realize this is a problem everyone must face, but it is easier to snug a person with a small bag into a carpool situation than a person with a full armor bag, pole-arms, and other such paraphernalia.  There is also the other issue of lack of communication, which happens a lot, not just pertaining to fighters, this is everywhere.  the multiple message list having a what, then later on a where, then a whole bunch of e-mails later with a when makes it really difficult to co-ordinate.  i realize all the planning has to be done, and this is good, but a final message, with a DIFFERENT heading, even capitalized and made bold, with the the what when where why how of it all would be very appreciated, and this is just for everybody's sake.
As far as participation without armor and the like, many of our fighters have not gotten into the other aspects of the sca.  Sometimes, this is due to the cliques that have formed in our own group.  I don't know about anyone else, but i certainly notice it when i walk into a local event.  the question becomes where do i sit? and the answer, at least for me, is hide in the back, and hope no-one notices.  There used to be people in the shires that helped bridge the gap between newbies, fighters, and the well seasoned, and those individuals seemed to add a life to the whole event.  most of us know who they are, but for reasons of their own, they can't make it, and there doesn't seem to be anyone stepping into their places.  There are people that try to bridge the gap, but if they are found lacking in one way or another, they tend to get shut down, and they quit.  This has created a rift dynamic.  
'Newbies' drift, and cling to whomever makes them feel somewhat comfortable, 'fighters' stick to themselves, and tend not to branch out, and the 'well seasoned' stick in their highly selective group, and essentially give the air of 'grading' those around them, or simply ignoring everyone else.  If we are lucky, there is someone in attendance that makes the whole event into a game, makes it fun, and mingles with all the sects, and possibly, even getting those sects to talk to each other.  Those are the events I know I love, and remember.  

We are extremely fortunate in our whole shire, for the people within hartwood have such a diverse variety of skills, experiences, and knowledge.  I honestly doubt that there are many other groups in the world that can boast the diversity of things we can make and do locally.  But we do need to work together, and stop putting groups within our group down.  I admit, some pull more weight than others, and without those individuals, I know this wouldn't work.  I'm just missing the inspiration, the goals, the 'well seasoned' taking on 'apprentices', and sometimes, a good proverbial kick is an order.
Any input on rectifying this matter, or arguments, feel free to interject.
Well, there it is, the rant from the black hole,
Muirgen
 		 	   		  
 		 	   		  
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