ANST - Active Peers

[Michael F. Gunter]

Everyone brace yourselves, Gunthar's getting soapboxy today.

I've been reading about "active" Peers and I'm sorry but someone
who shows up at an event and wanders around for a couple of hours
is NOT an "active" Peer.  This type of classification is one reason so
many non-Peers look to the belt or medallion as the end-all and be-all
of getting the rank.

Please forgive me, brothers, but I don't consider a member of the
Chivalry
who attends a 12th Night or even armors up for one tournament a year to
be even remotely "active".  That's not what a Peer is.  A Peer is a
leader,
an example, someone who continues to pursue perfection and a person who
serves the Kingdom in whatever capacity they are able.

Duke Lloyd attended Steppes 12th Night, my Coronation, and Bjornsborg's
last Investiture. Is he active? No, and he'll be the first to tell you.

Peers are allowed to retire and take time off and only attend a couple
of events.
They don't have to take students, teach, travel or open their houses.
But they
should not be considered to be active if they don't.

I think two or three events a year, minimum would be considered active.
I think being an active teacher, participating in Circles, and being
there for Crown
and Kingdom are requirements for being considered active.

Becoming a Peer is simply a beginning, not a peak. I will respect and
happily greet
a fellow Peer that I haven't seen. I will listen to their words in
Circle. But if they
only show up at one or two events and wander around or just drop by a
group
meeting I will not consider them active until they once again begin to
consistantly
engage in the activities of a Peer.  They are still Peers, just not
"active" Peers.

Yers,

Gunthar


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