[Hartwood] Fighters attendance/ event functionality rant.

[Colin]

Nicely put. I know even of seasoned folk who wound up in a new area, and
went to a local event in their new Shire, and nobody cared enough to welcome
them, so their enthusiasm for the SCA dwindled to 0!

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Hartwood [mailto:hartwood-bounces at tirrigh.org] On Behalf Of K F
Sent: January-14-13 1:05 PM
To: hartwood at tirrigh.org
Subject: Re: [Hartwood] Fighters attendance/ event functionality rant.

 

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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