Commitment (was Re: [Ansteorra] king of the east)

Pug Bainter pug at pug.net
Tue Jan 21 07:47:57 PST 2003


Good Morning,

  I'd like to pass on my thoughts, in what I hope is a more clear manner
  instead of tidbit by tidbit.

  When someone takes certain positions in the SCA, they are making a
  very large commitment to this game we play. The positions of Crown,
  Territorial Nobility, and Kingdom officers are some of the most visible
  examples. These positions have very high demands in time, travel,
  personal interaction and money. It is not cheap to go to that many
  events, get those new clothes, and to provide largesse when none is
  donated.

  Anyone interested in one of these positions should talk to multiple
  people who have held the position before to understand what it takes
  to do an acceptable job as well as what it takes to do an outstanding
  job. After all, the Crown only is required to attend both Coronations
  and Crown Tourney to meet the BoD's requirements. Would the populace
  find that acceptable?

  When entering into one of these positions, it should not be done
  lightly. If you are in a position that you feel it is likely that you
  will be relocated or lose your job, then you need to figure out if you
  can honestly make the commitment. You are the only person who can
  determine that, but you need to be honest with yourself. Here are
  some examples that I would use during the current climes:

- Am I active military? If so, then I have a high possibility of being
  called to do service or relocated for our country.
- Am I a reservist? If so, then I need to be careful what commitments I
  make because of a reasonable possibility of being called to do service
  for our country.
- Am I getting lower than average reviews for my department? If so, then
  I could have a high possibility of being laid off or terminated given
  the current economy.
- Do I work in a position that it is likely to be relocated given the
  current economy or company trends? If so, then I would be very careful
  of my commitments.
- Do I work for a startup company? If so, then I would be very careful
  of my commitments because of the current economy.

  What do *I* consider a high possibility? About 25% chance or more of it
  occuring, which means that *I* would not make the commitment. Others
  may be willing to take more of a risk of it not happening.

  The SCA is a world of volunteers. It does not speak badly of you to say
  'No'. However if you make a commitment and can't complete it, it is
  not something that is forgotten easily.

  The real world does happen and unforeseen things happen, but people need
  to be honest when answering questions like those above. I know I have
  had to answer questions like those above myself as of late. It is not
  something that is easy nor that I take lightly.

Ciao,

--
Phelim "Pug" Gervase   |  "The problem's plain to see
Bryn Gwlad - Ansteorra |   Too much technology."
Dark Horde Moritu      |
pug at pug.net            |   --Styx
  Note: The views do not reflect the SCA nor the Kingdom of Ansteorra.



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