[Ansteorra] Awards and Manners Was--> Things to think about....

[Lady Littlefox]

*nods in agreement* I have only just returned to the SCA, but the people
running the event are not the only ones who have been known to give out
awards but they usually are the ones running about 4000 things at the same
time and by the end of it have forgotten at least half of the important
stuff not to mention who helped them out when they really needed it.

A few odd words of wisdom that I might offer you in seeking of praise.
Don't just help out the over stressed staff at an event...yes they need help
but they are the last people in the world who really have time to baby an
ego... I mean that in the best possible way though.  They have no time on
their hands, half the people are complaining the other half are asking if
they can help, I'm sure you can imagine what a nightmare it is for them to
fit everything into 48 hours and still remember all the faces that came out
of the wood work to help them through it.  I'm not saying they can't but if
I were you, I wouldn't bet my good weekend on it.

What you /might/ do, is augment your helping out now and then by helping out
the guests! Something so many award seekers and the like completely forget
unless (pardon this) the guest has a circle with sharp pointy things on it
;P  Guests have friends, family and loved ones, not to mention some of them
run around without their hats, laurels and thistles and so forth.  A
friendly, polite face to a rested guest is far more likely to remember your
kindness than an over stressed kitchen manager.

What I'm saying is that you're looking to the wrong quarter for your praise
if that is what you are doing this for deep down.  We all want to feel that
we are appreciated, so my suggestion to you is don't stop helping where you
can, but don't always take the high profile helping out places like feast
and so forth.  Be on the look out for the injured, the elderly, mothers
beset by too many children or people trying to set up or take down their
tents as well as helping out serving and such.

Though you may not know it, generally speaking, there are people watching
you no matter what is going on.  Few people will completely forget the ones
who helped them in an hour of need, the only real problem is when the need
is over they're too exhausted to get your name to offer you praise.

A polite method of taking care of the server being forgotten situation might
be when the feastocrat and friends are finally done with their work as well,
bring them by a glass of water, offer a back rub or something, and talk with
them.  Let them know politely that if they need any help in the future to
just send someone by for 'enter your name'...and that you usually stay near
'enter someone that you both might know's camp. This is an unobtrusive way
to help them out next time and at the same time give them your name and a
reference that they can find you by  and keep an eye out for you later.

Not everyone is awards seeking, but I'd be the first one to say that I
wouldn't turn one down if offered to me! It is like any form of praise, it
helps keep the spirits up and keeps moral at a high point, but it can never
be expected because then it's payment not praise and you have to give
payment to anyone, not just those who are doing this because they want
to.....

Guess I'm rambling.. ;) Sorry

Hugs! Keep up the good work though I'm sure someone's keeping tabs!

Littlefox

-----Original Message-----
From: ansteorra-admin at ansteorra.org
[mailto:ansteorra-admin at ansteorra.org]On Behalf Of Ldyinnes at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 6:53 AM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Awards and Manners Was--> Things to think
about....


--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
Maria,  There was a time when whoever got help, gave a very small piece of
largess,
to those that helped.  Also, the people who helped a steward or co
ordinator,
was given a token of appreciation for their help, unfortunately that seems
to
have gone by the wayside.  When I coordinate something and I have people who
help me , ie: deputies, I always give them some thing.

Innes
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