SCA's NEXT GENERATION

[William H. Herron III]

M'lady Soberbia (and that's going to be a fun one in the College of
Heralds, I can already see) is quoted:

> on to my topic - the NEXT generation.

You can almost hear Patrick Stewart's voice in the background...(smile)

> I have always heard allusions to the good people of the SCA taking
> newcomers under their wings and showing them the way.

I don't know about allusions (sp?).  The people I play with bonked me on
the head one day and drug me to an event.  (It was a long time ago,
trust me.  You could still count Inman reigns on one hand.)

> Upon returning to Stargate and my beloved kingdom I had high hopes of
> returning to my adopted "home" with a better understanding of my
> kingdom and the SCA in general. But how is that to happen when the
> only times I even see other Scadians is at baronial populace meetings? 

What about events?  What about guilds?  (Granted, you're at a
disadvantage.  I have to pack a lunch to drive somewhere in Stargate.) 
What about (gulp) this mailing list?  Rialto?

> I am not basing my opinions on Ansteorra on the few people I have
> met down here.

I think you should meet more people, definately.  I can't believe that a
new person would have trouble meeting people in Stargate, of all
places.  There's just so many of them.  (grin)

> Survival of the SCA depends on more people continously joining,
> the best way to get people to join is by word of mouth advertising.

We should make you a hospitaler.  You've already got the right idea. 
You just need a push.

Soberbia:  if you see a problem, fix it.  I think any group in the SCA
(Stargate included) would be thrilled to have someone like you step up
and say "hey, what about the new people?  What's in it for them?"  In
fact, knowing Their Excellencies Stargate as I do, I suspect they'd fall
all over themselves to assist you in finding your way within the
Society.

Note the emphasis I implied verbally (yeah, I know, but you could hear
me if I was there):  "...to assist you in finding your way..."  The
Society is never going to be a place for the timid.  People who want
something in the SCA have to sing out.  It's no fun to watch someone sit
around and say "why?", but it's a blast to get with someone who says
"hey, I can fix this".

> On the other hand what of the person who sees yet another large group
> of people with tightknit clicks who aren't interested in what they may
> have to offer?

Aw, crap.  Cliques are nothing new.  I've been in several volunteer
organizations, and there's always cliques.  If you want to hang around
those people, worm your way in.  If not, form your own clique.  (grin)

But don't include me.  I'm an embarassment to the Society.  >I< don't
even want to be with me.  (smile)  And I've already run my mouth too
long here.  They'll find me, if I'm not careful.

Good luck with your quest.

HL William FitzBubba
Consular, Barony of Namron
Bryn Gwlad, Ansteorra