low numbers in univ. groups
Lori Jones
LJONES at bashful.ossm.edu
Thu Jan 9 15:08:50 PST 1997
> >SCA having low numbers problems athe UofH.
This is a very common problem in groups who draw primarily from
Universities. I can speak from experience in this instance. I spent
my first four years in the SCA in the Shire of Mooneschadowe which,
at that time, drew most of its new members from the OSU College
crowd.
The low numbers drawn from the University are mostly due to the lack
of free time available to the students (we had lots of people express
an interest). In general, this lack of time forces the college
students to be highly selective about their interests. They usually
tend to pick groups which don't require as much of a time committment
as the SCA does. Of all the students that checked us out during the
time I was in Mooneschadowe, I'm sure fewer than a fourth stuck with
us (probably less). I think college-based SCA groups have to be very
active with their demos - at least one per semester. This
allows students who were interested, but too busy the previous
semester, to be reminded of us. Holding fighter practices on campus
could also help (I don't remember if this was already being done...).
I believe the way Mooneschadowe solved the problem with the large
turnover from the University was by directing recruitment to the
permanent Stillwater, OK residents (the fact that many strong SCA
players decided to remain in Stillwater after college graduation
didn't hurt either).
Current Mooneschadowe members would be much better equipped
to advise on this subject, as I haven't lived there in a long while and
am more than a little out of touch with the current group's dynamics.
Still, I thought I'd offer my $.02 worth.
I guess recruiting from the Houston population at large isn't a great
idea for the U of H group - as the Houston area already supports
several large branches from it's non-collegiate community. I'm not
sure, but wasn't the group designation "college of..." supposed to
allow college-supported groups the ability to go dormant during
school breaks and periods when activity levels aren't sufficient to
sustain the group and fill local offices? I know that wouldn't be
the preferred choice, if any other options are available.
- Bs. Kat
Barony of Wiesenfeuer
Oklahoma City, OK
LJONES at ossm.edu
More information about the Ansteorra
mailing list