[Ansteorra] Which brings us to...

Lady Simone ui' Dunlaingh simone at elfsea.net
Wed Apr 24 19:54:42 PDT 2002


This is not a new problem, it is one with a solution :-)

When I started playing I was shepherded for my first few events. someone
made me my first piece of garb, paid for my first event, answered a bunch of
questions and helped me find my nitch. I even shared their tent for the
first few events. when I asked if their was anything I could do to pay them
back they told me to Shepard newcomers. It is still something I do today
often. I have often heard it said and firmly believe in the saying " every
SCA member is a hospitaler"

How do we get newcomers?. Demos are one source, for me the best result has
been to just talk about what I do with friends and people I meet. If I'm at
the fabric store and someone asks what I'm making I tell them if they ask
more Questions I answer them and if all goes well invite them to an A&S
night. most people in a fabric store are crafts people.

I talk with people who stop by fighter practice and invite them to
participate or make a guild meeting. When ladies at the laundry mat see me
folding my Garb or hanging a Gown and ask Questions I answer them and if
their interested  invite them to come to a guild meeting or fighter practice
and always let them know that their children are welcome.

I talk with people all the time and extend an invitation to those who are
interested. when they take up the invitation treat them with the same
hospitality I would an old friend. I keep extra material around the house
for T-tunics and simple dresses, extra fest gear. and extra bedding for
newcomers to use.
If I can fit it in the budget I still do my best to pay for their first
event unless they offer to pay their way and spend a lot of time with them
at their first few events till their ready to venture forth on their own.
some of them stay and play some of them play occasionally some don't stay
but the feeling I get working with a newcomer can not be matched.

the one thing I have learned in working with newcomers is to keep my door
open for them to come by and ask question, talk, continue to make them feel
welcome when ever I see them eventually they find their own way. just don't
ignore them. Keep sharing what you love about the SCA and try to keep  the
politically negative stuff out of the way if possible. and if they ask what
they can do to pay me back my answer to them is the same as it was to me.
work with newcomers.

I also  have learned it is good to extend this same hospitality to our long
time members. and remember that they to need to feel like they are welcome
and that they have not been forgot about. that their family and friends are
always welcome.  Keeping members can be harder if they feel they have been
forgotten about. Keep recommending people for awards. recognize their
achievements. encourage growth, encourage them to continue in new endeavors.
and be cordial to people you don't like instead of talking them down. listen
to people even if you would rather be miles away all these things can make
them feel welcome even when they have been around for a while.

 In my opinion Newcontacts, newcomers, occasional players and seasoned
members all important. How we treat them is also important. if all they get
is indifference and see our petty squabbles they are not going to stay. if
they are treated with open handed friendship, hospitality and encouragement
they stay. or at least it has been my experience over the years. treat folks
the way you want to be treated even those you don't care for. and remember
the old saying "a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet" yes their will
be some negative occurrences but the positive ones and the warm fuzzys that
come from helping other just can't be beat. see you all around

Lady Simone Maurian ui' Dunlaingh
simone at elfsea.net





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