[Ansteorra] Newcomer Ideas...And Now a Word from your Kingdom Hospitaler

[Charlie Durbin]

As deputy to our Hospitaler here in Bryn Gwlad, I could not agree more. The
objective of the office is to assist newcomers into "blending in" on a first
visit or subsequent visits via loaner garb, feast gear, etc. until they have
such items of their own. Applying some sort of "mark" only makes them stand
out among others which is quite the opposite of what should be happening.
Hospitaler Point at events is a wonderful idea and newcomers should be
directed there. Here at our Castleton site the hospitaler is always set up
close to gate and has a small newcomer pavilion which houses the loaner gear
and provides a private place to change clothes. I have personally walked
people around event sites and sort of clue them in on what is going on, then
let them wander a bit on their own, and check back with them later to see
how it goes or if there is any other questions they might have developed
along the way.
I agree with one solution i've seen... everyone wear a smile, be willing to
answer questions, and become familiar enough with what this great Kingdom
offers in order to point new people in the right direction. It is by far the
easiest gear to make, and being a tailor it gets my stamp of approval!

<<hugz>>
Grishka Kravtsovich



-----Original Message-----
From: ansteorra-bounces+charlesdurbin=austin.rr.com at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:ansteorra-bounces+charlesdurbin=austin.rr.com at lists.ansteorra.org]
On Behalf Of alpage1225 at sbcglobal.net
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 12:22 PM
To: Inc.Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA
Subject: [Ansteorra] Newcomer Ideas...And Now a Word from your Kingdom
Hospitaler

After reading the wonderful discussion over the last few days regarding
newcomers (and I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see this many of
you interested in the subject), the time has come for me to put on my
"Kingdom Hospitaler" hat and make a few observations and a suggestion.
 
I have to agree with Don Robin and others here that putting "labels" on
newcomers is not the best idea.  Many are nervous and unsure about what we
are about and would rather remain in the "background" a bit to
just observe.  Obviously marking them as newcomers might make them
uncomfortable.  Sashes or badges of particular colors could be confusing to
current SCA members, particularly if each group has its own idea of what is
effective, and nobody has the master "secret decoder".
 
The one idea that I have been pushing with the Regional and local
Hospitalers is a dedicated "Newcomers Point" at all major events for any
group in the Kingdom.  Place it near gate, assign individuals to escort
newcomers around the site, and make sure those escorts introduce them to
SCAers who are interested in sharing their activities and provide an
explanation of what is going on in a particular area.  Make sure you have
handouts on hand, loaner garb to borrow, and perhaps cool drinks and snacks
available.  Some visitors will only stay a short while, some will want to
stay the rest of the day.  If that is the case, perhaps a "newcomer
pavilion" along one of the list fields would come in handy.
 
Make them feel welcome by being courteous and willing to answer questions,
but don't make them uncomfortable being a newcomer by making it glaringly
obvious that's what they are.
 
If you have specific ideas about what your group wants to do, please let me
and your local Hospitaler know what they are.  We are always open to new
perspectives.
 
YIS,
 
Countess Elizabeth Seale
Kingdom Hospitaler
 
 
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